title: Cellular mechanisms and integrative timing of neuroendocrine control of GnRH secretion by kisspeptin.
abstract: The hypothalamus integrates endogenous and exogenous inputs to control the pituitary-gonadal axis. The ultimate hypothalamic influence on reproductive activity is mediated through timely secretion of GnRH in the portal blood, which modulates the release of gonadotropins from the pituitary. In this context neurons expressing the RF-amide neuropeptide kisspeptin present required features to fulfill the role of the long sought-after hypothalamic integrative centre governing the stimulation of GnRH neurons. Here we focus on the intracellular signaling pathways triggered by kisspeptin through its cognate receptor KISS1R and on the potential role of proteins interacting with this receptor. We then review evidence implicating both kisspeptin and RFRP3--another RF-amide neuropeptide--in the temporal orchestration of both the pre-ovulatory LH surge in female rodents and the organization of seasonal breeding in photoperiodic species.
authors.affiliation: UMR Physiologie de la Reproduction et des Comportements (INRA, UMR85, CNRS, UMR7247, Université François Rabelais Tours, IFCE), F-37380 Nouzilly, France. Electronic address: Massimiliano.Beltramo@tours.inra.fr.
authors.forename: Massimiliano
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Beltramo
authors.affiliation: UMR Physiologie de la Reproduction et des Comportements (INRA, UMR85, CNRS, UMR7247, Université François Rabelais Tours, IFCE), F-37380 Nouzilly, France.
authors.forename: Hugues
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Dardente
authors.affiliation: UMR Physiologie de la Reproduction et des Comportements (INRA, UMR85, CNRS, UMR7247, Université François Rabelais Tours, IFCE), F-37380 Nouzilly, France.
authors.forename: Xavier
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Cayla
authors.affiliation: UMR Physiologie de la Reproduction et des Comportements (INRA, UMR85, CNRS, UMR7247, Université François Rabelais Tours, IFCE), F-37380 Nouzilly, France.
authors.forename: Alain
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Caraty
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D059648:Kisspeptins / Q000378:metabolism*; D009474:Neurons / Q000378:metabolism; D009490:Neurosecretory Systems / Q000378:metabolism*; D015398:Signal Transduction; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D059648:Kisspeptins; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone
keywords: GnRH; Intracellular signaling; Kisspeptin; Ovulatory surge; RFRP3; Seasonal breading