Multiple isoforms of the human prolactin receptor are produced by alternative splicing, and the different ratios have been associated with disease. In a study on human embryonic kidney cells by Tan and Walker, the short form SF1b was shown to downregulate the expression of the long form (LF), affecting prolactin expression and cell number. This suggests that the ratio of SF1b:LF may have implications for tumour growth. Tan and Walker,
Journal of Molecular Endocrinology.
DOI: 10.1677/JME-09-0101