| Gaia: | Prolactin (PRL) is a hormone expressed in lactotrophs cells of the pituitary gland in primates. Extra pituitary expression of PRL has been reported, including the eye; however, expression in the developing eye of primates is limited. The aim of the study was determining the expression of <i>PRL</i> and <i>PRL</i> receptor (<i>PRLR</i>) (mRNAs and proteins) in adult and fetal baboon (<i>Papio hamadryas</i>) ocular tissues. Methods: We analyzed PRL and PRLR in baboon eyes tissues by immunofluorescence. The mRNAs of <i>PRL</i> and <i>PRLR</i> were detected by RT-PCR, cDNA was cloned, and sequenced. Furthermore, we performed a phylogenetic analysis to identify the evolutionary forces that underlie the divergence of <i>PRL</i> and <i>PRLR</i> primate genes. Results: We observed the expression of PRL and PRLR (mRNAs and proteins) in all retinal cell lineages of fetal and adult baboon. <i>PRL</i> and <i>PRLR</i> fit the hypothesis of evolutionary purifying gene selection. Conclusions: mRNA and protein of PRL and PRLR are expressed in fetal and adult baboon retinal tissue. PRL may trigger autocrine and paracrine-specific actions in retinal cell lines.
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