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What's in a Name? Roles of RF amide‐Related Peptides Beyond Gonadotrophin Inhibition
Author(s) -
Kim J. S.
Publication year - 2016
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/jne.12407
Subject(s) - receptor , neuropeptide , endocrinology , medicine , amide , function (biology) , anterior pituitary , chemistry , biology , neuroscience , hormone , microbiology and biotechnology , biochemistry
RF amide‐related peptides ( RFRP s) have been heavily implicated in the control of reproductive function subsequent to their discovery more than 16 years ago. However, recent studies using genetic and pharmacological tools have challenged their importance in regulating the hypothalamic‐pituitary‐gonadal axis. It is generally accepted that RFRP s act as part of a wider RF amide system, which involves two receptors, called the neuropeptide FF receptors ( NPFFR 1 and R2), and includes the closely‐related neuropeptide NPFF . NPFF has been studied ever since the 1980s and many of the functions of NPFF are also shared by RFRP s. The current review questions whether these functions of NPFF are indeed specific to just NPFF alone and presents evidence from both neuroendocrine and pharmacological perspectives. Furthermore, recently emerging new functions of RFRP s are discussed with the overall goal of clarifying the functions of RFRP s beyond the hypothalamic‐pituitary‐gonadal axis.