Kisspeptin offers a novel therapeutic target in reproduction

Curr Opin Investig Drugs. 2009 Apr;10(4):311-8.

Abstract

The occurrence of reproductive infertility has become an increasing concern in the developed world, particularly following the recent trend of attempts at pregnancy later in maternal life. Most existing therapies for infertility, such as clomiphene and gonadotropins, aim to manipulate the traditional components of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis. Several secretagogues of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) have been identified, including glutamate, neuropeptide tyrosine (NPY) and substance P; however, the broad array of action of these secretagogues in the CNS make them unsuitable as therapeutic targets. In the last 5 years, the Kisspeptin system has emerged as a critical regulator of reproduction and as a putative novel target of therapy for reproductive disorders. This review summarizes the relevant contemporary literature related to Kisspeptin, and assesses the potential applications of this group of peptides as a novel therapeutic target.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Female
  • Fertility Agents / therapeutic use
  • Fertility* / drug effects
  • Humans
  • Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System / metabolism
  • Infertility / drug therapy
  • Infertility / metabolism*
  • Infertility / physiopathology
  • Kisspeptins
  • Luteinizing Hormone / metabolism
  • Male
  • Menstrual Cycle
  • Placenta / metabolism
  • Pregnancy
  • Proteins / metabolism
  • Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled / metabolism
  • Receptors, Kisspeptin-1
  • Reproduction* / drug effects
  • Signal Transduction* / drug effects
  • Tumor Suppressor Proteins / metabolism*
  • Tumor Suppressor Proteins / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Fertility Agents
  • KISS1 protein, human
  • KISS1R protein, human
  • Kiss1 protein, mouse
  • Kiss1 protein, rat
  • Kisspeptins
  • Proteins
  • Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled
  • Receptors, Kisspeptin-1
  • Tumor Suppressor Proteins
  • Luteinizing Hormone