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Kisspeptins: Regulators of Metastasis and the Hypothalamic‐Pituitary‐Gonadal Axis
Author(s) -
Murphy K. G.
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
journal of neuroendocrinology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.062
H-Index - 116
eISSN - 1365-2826
pISSN - 0953-8194
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2826.2005.01328.x
Subject(s) - kisspeptin , endocrinology , medicine , hypogonadotrophic hypogonadism , hypogonadotropic hypogonadism , biology , hypothalamic–pituitary–gonadal axis , hypothalamus , regulator , anterior pituitary , receptor , hormone , luteinizing hormone , gene , biochemistry
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.