Emerging ideas about kisspeptin– GPR54 signaling in the neuroendocrine regulation of reproduction

• Published in: Trends in neurosciences (Regular ed.) Vol. 30; no. 10; pp. 504 - 511
• Main Authors: Kauffman, Alexander S, Clifton, Donald K, Steiner, Robert A
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Elsevier Ltd 01.10.2007; Elsevier Science; Elsevier Sequoia S.A
• Subjects: Animals; Biological and medical sciences; Feeding. Feeding behavior; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; General aspects. Models. Methods; Genes; Hormones; Humans; Kisspeptins; Neurology; Neurosciences; Neurosecretory Systems - metabolism; Puberty; Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled - metabolism; Receptors, Kisspeptin-1; Reproduction - physiology; Reproductive system; Signal Transduction - physiology; Tumor Suppressor Proteins - physiology; Vertebrates: anatomy and physiology, studies on body, several organs or systems; Vertebrates: nervous system and sense organs; Hormone; Steroid; Gene product; Interaction; Central nervous system; Sex; Neuroendocrine regulation; Review; Encephalon; Signal transduction; Neuron; Timing; Biological receptor
• ISSN: 0166-2236; 1878-108X
• DOI: 10.1016/j.tins.2007.08.001

Neurons that produce gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) drive the reproductive axis, but the molecular and cellular mechanisms by which hormonal and environmental signals regulate GnRH secretion remain poorly understood. Kisspeptins are products of the Kiss1 gene, and the interaction of kisspeptin and its receptor GPR54 plays a crucial role in governing the onset of puberty and adult reproductive function. This review discusses the latest ideas about kisspeptin–GPR54 signaling in the neuroendocrine regulation of reproduction, with special emphasis on the role of Kiss1 and kisspeptin in the negative and positive feedback control of gonadotropin secretion by sex steroids, timing of puberty onset, sexual differentiation of the brain and photoperiodic regulation of seasonal reproduction.