Prolactin-induced protein

Prolactin -induced protein ( PIP SABP, GCDFP- 15) is a protein normally found in the saliva and other body secretions of mammals but also in pathological changes in the mammary glands can be detected. The binding of PIP to aquaporin -5 salivary and lacrimal glands, resulting in transport of aquaporin 5 in the apical membrane; a variation of this process seems to be responsible for Sjögren's syndrome. The ability to bind to the Fc fragment of immunoglobulin G suggests possible functions for immunomodulating PIP. Furthermore, the protein on binding sites for actin, it also binds to zinc - α2 -glycoprotein (ZAG ); in this respect features of the protein are not known.

The production of PIP in semen, saliva, tears and sweat is enhanced by prolactin and androgens, and slowed by estrogen.

In the pathological and neuropathological diagnostic antibodies are used as immunohistochemical diagnostic marker against GCDFP -15 directed.

Human Genome Organisation Digital Object Identifier
282642
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