Kisspeptins: regulators of metastasis and the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis.
The kisspeptins are the peptide products of the KiSS-1 gene and the endogenous agonists for the GPR54 receptor. Although KiSS-1 was initially discovered as a metastasis suppressor gene, recent evidence suggests the kisspeptin/GPR54 system is a key regulator of the reproductive system. Disrupted GPR54 signalling causes hypogonadotrophic hypogonadism in rodents and man. Central or peripheral administration of kisspeptin potently stimulates the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis, increasing circulating gonadotrophin concentrations in a number of animal models. These effects appear likely to be mediated via the hypothalamic gonadotrophin-releasing hormone system, although kisspeptins may have direct effects on the anterior pituitary gland. Hypothalamic KiSS-1 expression is regulated by circulating sex steroids. The precise physiological role of the kisspeptin system in the regulation of reproductive function remains to be elucidated.
Murphy
K G
KG
Department of Metabolic Medicine, Imperial College Faculty of Medicine, Hammersmith Campus, London, UK. k.g.murphy@imperial.ac.uk
D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D016147:Genes, Tumor Suppressor / Q000502:physiology; D006066:Gonads / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007030:Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System / Q000502:physiology*; D059648:Kisspeptins; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis / Q000235:genetics; D009490:Neurosecretory Systems / Q000502:physiology; D011506:Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D043562:Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled; D000074502:Receptors, Kisspeptin-1; D018013:Receptors, Neuropeptide / Q000502:physiology*; D012098:Reproduction / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D025521:Tumor Suppressor Proteins
C106628:KISS1 protein, human; C118688:KISS1R protein, human; D059648:Kisspeptins; D011506:Proteins; D043562:Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled; D000074502:Receptors, Kisspeptin-1; D018013:Receptors, Neuropeptide; D025521:Tumor Suppressor Proteins