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Kisspeptin Excitation of GnRH Neurons

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Book cover Kisspeptin Signaling in Reproductive Biology

Part of the book series: Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology ((AEMB,volume 784))

Abstract

Kisspeptin binding to its cognate G protein-coupled receptor (GPR54, aka Kiss1R) in gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) neurons stimulates peptide release and activation of the reproductive axis in mammals. Kisspeptin has pronounced pre- and postsynaptic effects, with the latter dominating the excitability of GnRH neurons. Presynaptically, kisspeptin increases the excitatory drive (both GABA-A and glutamate) to GnRH neurons and postsynaptically, kisspeptin inhibits an A-type and inwardly rectifying K+ (Kir 6.2 and GIRK) currents and activates nonselective cation (TRPC) currents to cause long-lasting depolarization and increased action potential firing. The signaling cascades and the multiple intracellular targets of kisspeptin actions in native GnRH neurons are continuing to be elucidated. This review summarizes our current state of knowledge about kisspeptin signaling in GnRH neurons.

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Acknowledgments

The authors thank current and past members of their laboratories who ­contributed to the work described herein, especially Drs. Chunguang Zhang, Jian Qiu, Yuan Fang, Troy Roepke, and Ms. Martha A. Bosch; also, special thanks to Ms. Martha A. Bosch for her skilled assistance with the illustrations and manuscript preparations. The work from the authors’ laboratories was supported by NIH grants NS43330, NS38809, DK68098.

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  1. Physiology and Pharmacology, Oregon Health and Science University, L334, 3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Road, Portland, OR, 97239, USA

    Oline K. Rønnekleiv Ph.D. & Martin J. Kelly Ph.D.

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  1. Oline K. Rønnekleiv Ph.D.
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  2. Martin J. Kelly Ph.D.
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Correspondence to Oline K. Rønnekleiv Ph.D. .

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  1. , Department of Reproductive Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, 92093, California, USA

    Alexander S. Kauffman

  2. School of Anatomy, Physiology and Human Biology, The University of Western Australia, Hackett Drive, Nedlands, 6009, West Australia, Australia

    Jeremy T. Smith

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Rønnekleiv, O.K., Kelly, M.J. (2013). Kisspeptin Excitation of GnRH Neurons. In: Kauffman, A., Smith, J. (eds) Kisspeptin Signaling in Reproductive Biology. Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology, vol 784. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-6199-9_6

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