title: New frontiers in kisspeptin/GPR54 physiology as fundamental gatekeepers of reproductive function.
abstract: Identification, in late 2003, of inactivating mutations of the G protein-coupled receptor GPR54 as causative factor for absence of puberty and hypogonadotropic hypogonadism in humans and mice was a major breakthrough in modern Neuroendocrinology, and drew considerable interest on the characterization of the roles of this receptor and its ligands (kisspeptins, encoded by the KiSS-1 gene) in the physiological control of essential facets of reproduction. After 3 years of intense research activity, kisspeptins are universally recognized as essential activators of the gonadotropic axis, with key roles in puberty onset and the control of gonadotropin secretion. While these fundamental functions are now well settled, novel aspects of kisspeptin/GPR54 physiology have emerged, including their involvement in the neuroendocrine control of ovulation and the metabolic gating of reproductive function. In addition, the 'comparative endocrinology' of this system has begun to be explored recently. These facets of kisspeptin/GPR54 function, as fundamental gatekeepers of reproduction, will be comprehensively reviewed herein.
authors.affiliation: Physiology Section, Department of Cell Biology, Physiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Córdoba, Avda. Menéndez Pidal s/n, 14004 Córdoba, Spain.
authors.forename: Juan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Roa
authors.forename: Enrique
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Aguilar
authors.forename: Carlos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Dieguez
authors.forename: Leonor
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Pinilla
authors.forename: Manuel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tena-Sempere
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D006066:Gonads / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007030:Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System / Q000502:physiology; D059648:Kisspeptins; D053858:Metabolic Networks and Pathways / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D008954:Models, Biological; D010060:Ovulation / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D011627:Puberty / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D043562:Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D000074502:Receptors, Kisspeptin-1; D012098:Reproduction / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D025521:Tumor Suppressor Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: C106628:KISS1 protein, human; C118688:KISS1R protein, human; D059648:Kisspeptins; D043562:Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled; D000074502:Receptors, Kisspeptin-1; D025521:Tumor Suppressor Proteins