Kisspeptin: Regulatory mechanisms in Reproduction-Mini review

Kisspeptins are a family of structurally related peptides, encoded by the KISS1/Kiss1 gene, that act through binding and subsequent activation of the G protein-coupled receptor (GPR54). Other peptide fragments of the kisspeptin precursor have been identified, such as kisspeptin-14, kisspeptin-13, and kisspeptin-10. Kisspeptin neurons are located in anteroventral periventricular nucleus (AVPV) and in arcuate nucleus (ARC). Moreover Kisspeptin production is placed in placenta, liver, pancreas, intestines, stomach, lungs and kidneys. Kisspeptin is having important role in Reproductive Physiology like Sexual differentiation, Puberty, Pregnancy, Lactation, Ageing and Metabolic Regulation. Comparative anatomy and role of Kiss1 Neurons in different species is discussed in detail in this review. The combination of genetic (human) and functional genomic (mouse) studies paved the way for the analysis of the physiological relevance and underlying mechanisms of the reproductive actions of kisspeptins, which have progressed rapidly and have resulted in the elucidation of basic aspects of the molecular biology, neuroanatomy, physiology, pharmacology, and pathophysiology of this neuroendocrine system.