This gene encodes the anterior pituitary hormone prolactin. This secreted hormone is a growth regulator for many tissues, including cells of the immune system. It may also play a role in cell survival by suppressing apoptosis, and it is essential for lactation. Alternative splicing results in multiple transcript variants that encode the same protein. [provided by RefSeq, Aug 2011],function:Prolactin acts primarily on the mammary gland by promoting lactation.,online information:Prolactin entry,similarity:Belongs to the somatotropin/prolactin family.,
