Prolactin kinase activity in bovine anterior pituitary sub-cellular fractions

Abstract Bovine anterior pituitary cells phosphorylate prolactin (PRL). We describe the phosphorylation of endogenous and exogenous bPRL in highly enriched subcellular fractions of bovine anterior pituitary using [ γ - 32 P]-ATP. 32 P-labeling of endogenous and exogenous bPRL occurred in all subcellular membrane fractions, but most significantly in the fraction enriched for secretory granules. Zn 2+ (0.8 mM), Cu 2+ (0.8 mM), and Mn 2+ (9.8 mM) increased bPRL phosphorylation by 268, 214, and 154%, respectively, relative to basal phosphorylation with no added cations. Neither Mg 2+ (10 mM) nor Ca 2+ (0.9 mM) increased bPRL phosphorylation above basal levels. Phosphorylation was dependent on the concentration of Zn 2+ with an apparent K m of 570 μM. bPRL phosphorylation occurred over a wide pH range of 5.9–8.3, with the greatest activity at pH of 6.7 or greater. Phosphorylation of bPRL was time-dependent. The apparent K m s of the bPRL kinase for exogenous bPRL and ATP were 15.3 and 267 μM, respectively. bPRL incorporation of 32 P was unaffected by the presence of calcium and calmodulin, cAMP, phosphotidylserine and diolein, or spermine. From these results we conclude that in vitro phosphorylation of bPRL occurs under physiological conditions that would be found in pituitary cells.