Study summary · research use only
Conserved functions of hypothalamic kisspeptin in vertebrates
Plain-language summary
Paraphrased from the published abstract below — not a verdict on whether anything works.
This review discusses hypothalamic kisspeptin, encoded by the KISS1/Kiss1 gene, and its receptor Kissr across vertebrate species. It describes kisspeptin-Kissr systems as investigated in various vertebrates, with a conserved sequence identified in most vertebrate species except the avian lineage, and multiple kisspeptin paralogs found in non-mammalian vertebrates. The abstract notes that kiss/kissr gene-deficient zebrafish and medaka showed no apparent effect on puberty onset, sexual development, maturation, or reproductive capacity, raising questions about whether kisspeptin's reproductive role is conserved across species. The review focuses on comparative and evolutionary aspects of kisspeptin's reproductive and non-reproductive functions conserved across vertebrate species.
Abstract
Hypothalamic kisspeptin encoded by KISS1/Kiss1 gene emerged as a regulator of the reproductive axis in mammals following the discovery of the kisspeptin receptor (Kissr) and its role in reproduction. Kisspeptin-Kissr systems have been investigated in various vertebrates, and a conserved sequence of kisspeptin-Kissr has been identified in most vertebrate species except in the avian linage. In addition, multiple paralogs of kisspeptin sequences have been identified in the non-mammalian vertebrates. The allegedly conserved role of kisspeptin-Kissr in reproduction became debatable when kiss/kissr genes-deficient zebrafish and medaka showed no apparent effect on the onset of puberty, sexual development, maturation and reproductive capacity. Therefore, it is questionable whether the role of kisspeptin in reproduction is conserved among vertebrate species. Here we discuss from a comparative and evolutional aspect the diverse functions of kisspeptin and its receptor in vertebrates. Primarily this review focuses on the role of hypothalamic kisspeptin in reproductive and non-reproductive functions that are conserved in vertebrate species.
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