PRL Activates the Cyclin D1 Promoter Via the Jak2/Stat Pathway

PRL promotes cell growth and differentiation in the mammary gland, which has implications for breast cancer as well as normal development. Our data demonstrate that PRL significantly increases proliferation of mammary carcinoma cells. PRL also increases cyclin D1 levels 2-fold, which can be inhibited by actinomycin D, suggesting that transcriptional increases in cyclin D1 are important. Using a defined Chinese hamster ovary cell model system, we demonstrate that the activity of a cyclin D1 promoter-luciferase construct increases after PRL treatment. Furthermore, this increase in promoter activity is predominantly mediated by the Jak2/Stat5 signaling pathway.