PROP Paired Like Homeobox Protein 1 (PROP1)

PROP1 has both DNA-binding and transcriptional activation ability. Its expression leads to ontogenesis of pituitary gonadotropes, as well as somatotropes, lactotropes, and caudomedial thyrotropes. Inactivating mutations in PROP1 result in deficiencies of luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), growth hormone (GH), prolactin (PRL), and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH). PROP1 mRNA is expressed in the developing pituitary gland before PIT1 mRNA expression and maximum expression are observed at e12.0. After e14.5, PROP1 mRNA expression rapidly decreases, and only trace amounts of mRNA are detectable in adult mouse pituitary.Human PROP1 transcripts were detected in normal adult pituitary by Northern blot analysis, and in all pituitary adenomas examined by RT-PCR analysis.