Kisspepeptin-GPR54 signaling in the neuroendocrine reproductive axis.
Kisspeptins, which are products of the Kiss1 gene, and their receptor, GPR54, have emerged as key players in the regulation of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) secretion. Mutations or targeted deletions of GPR54 produce isolated hypogonadotropic hypogonadism in humans and mice, indicating that signaling through this receptor is a prerequisite for sexual maturation. Centrally administered kisspeptins stimulate GnRH and gonadotropin secretion in prepubertal and adult animals. Kisspeptin-expressing neurons are direct targets for the negative and positive feedback actions of sex steroids, which differentially regulate the expression of KiSS-1 mRNA in various regions of the forebrain. This review highlights what is currently known about kisspeptin-GPR54 signaling in the regulation of the neuroendocrine reproductive axis.
Gottsch
M L
ML
Department of Physiology & Biophysics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195-7290, USA.
Clifton
D K
DK
Steiner
R A
RA
D000818:Animals; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones / Q000378:metabolism; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D059648:Kisspeptins; D008954:Models, Biological; D009474:Neurons / Q000378:metabolism; D009490:Neurosecretory Systems / Q000502:physiology*; D011627:Puberty / Q000502:physiology; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D043562:Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D000074502:Receptors, Kisspeptin-1; D012098:Reproduction / Q000502:physiology*; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000502:physiology*; D025521:Tumor Suppressor Proteins / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*
D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones; C106628:KISS1 protein, human; C118688:KISS1R protein, human; D059648:Kisspeptins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D043562:Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled; D000074502:Receptors, Kisspeptin-1; D025521:Tumor Suppressor Proteins; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone