Scientific Reference
Kisspeptin-10
Evidence profile: Predominantly preclinical
Kisspeptin-10 is the shortest active member of a family of peptides encoded by the KISS1 gene: ten residues, ending in Arg-Phe-NH2. The gene's 145-residue precursor is cut into kisspeptins of 54, 14, 13 and 10 amino acids, and all four share the same C-terminal ten residues. Interest in its role in reproduction took off when human genetics tied loss of kisspeptin receptor function to failure to enter puberty. Since then it has been studied in cell and animal models of hypothalamic reproductive control and in short human physiology experiments measuring gonadotropin release. Longer-term human data are limited.
Mechanism of Action
Kisspeptin-10 is reported to bind KISS1R, also named GPR54, a G protein-coupled receptor signalling chiefly through Gq/11, phospholipase C and intracellular calcium. The receptor sits on gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) neurons, and kisspeptin input is regarded as a major upstream control of their activity. In animal and human physiological studies, exposure has been followed by GnRH release and then by LH and, to a lesser extent, FSH secretion from the anterior pituitary. Some models report that continuous exposure desensitises the receptor, which is itself a subject of study.
Molecular Information
- Type: Decapeptide (KISS1-derived)
- Molecular weight: 1302.4 g/mol
- Molecular formula: C63H83N17O14