Kisspeptin is a peptide that is mainly produced by neurons in the hypothalamus. Scientists are interested in this relationship because of its numerous activities. Kisspeptin may affect both the initiation of the process of sexual maturation and be related to the course of the menstrual cycle in adult women. There are also indications that kisspeptin may inhibit the growth of tumors.

Kisspeptinis a hormone that has been talked about in medicine since the end of the last century. In 1996, Danny Welch was researching cancer cells and during his research he discovered a gene whose presence in cancer cells made them lose their ability to metastasize. This gene was named KISS1 and the peptide it produced was named kisspeptin. However, this was only the beginning of research into kisspeptin and its function in the body - a few years later it was discovered that disturbances in the secretion of this substance may be associated with the occurrence of hypogonadotrophic hypogonadism. Currently, kisspeptin still arouses the interest of many scientists, because the effects of its action are much wider than initially expected.

Kisspeptin: production and secretion regulation

Human kisspeptin is produced primarily in the hypothalamus. The peptide is produced by neurons located within the arcuate nucleus and the periventricular nuclei. Although in much smaller amounts, kisspeptin can also be found in the hippocampus of the brain, as well as in the adrenal glands and placenta. The exact mechanism of the secretion of kisspeptin has not been clearly elucidated so far. However, it has already been noticed that along with this peptide, other substances are secreted, such as dynorphin and neurokinin B, and it is these two substances that probably influence the release of kisspeptin from the hypothalamus structures.

Kisspeptin: role in sexual maturation

The terminals of the kisspeptin-secreting neurons are found in close proximity to the gonadoliberin-releasing (GnRH) cells from the hypothalamus. It was this discovery that underpinned the hypothesis that kisspeptin regulates GnRH secretion. If it were so, it would mean that kisspeptin is involved in a number of phenomena that are responsible for the onset of sexual maturation. Puberty occurs in connection withan increase in the release of gonadoliberin, as a result of which - after the action of GnRH on the pituitary gland - there is an increase in the release of gonadotrophins, such as follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and lutropin (LH). The last two of these hormones have a direct effect on the reproductive organs (girls 'ovaries and boys' testicles), leading to an increase in the production of sex hormones.

Worth knowing

Research into kisspeptin and its biological activities is ongoing. However, scientists have already managed to draw some observations - it turns out that disturbances in the amount of kisspeptin in the body can lead to an abnormal course of maturation processes. Excess kisspeptin may be a potential cause of accelerated puberty, while a deficiency of this peptide may lead to delayed puberty.

Kisspeptin: contributing to the regulation of the menstrual cycle

The aforementioned hormones, i.e. LH and FSH, are needed by humans not only for the onset of sexual maturation. The concentrations of both of these substances are subject to regular fluctuations, especially in women in whom LH and FSH are responsible for the regulation of the menstrual cycle. Most likely, kisspeptin is involved in the control of secretion of the gonadotrophins mentioned above. Such conclusions were made, for example, on the basis of women who experienced a menstrual arrest. It turned out that the administration of kisspeptin preparations to such patients may stabilize their hormonal balance and lead to the normalization of the bleeding rhythm. Evidence of the participation of kisspeptin in the regulation of the menstrual cycle could also be the fact that administering it to women with ovulation disorders may stimulate their ovulation. The above-described possibility is important especially for women struggling with fertility problems, because thanks to such an effect of kisspeptin it would be possible to induce ovulation in these patients, and then there would be a chance to use such an egg for, for example, in vitro fertilization.

Kisspeptin: potential anti-tumor activity of the peptide

Kisspeptyna is also sometimes called metastin. This name is associated with the term metastasis, which means "metastasis". The alternative name of the described peptide comes from research on kisspeptin and phenomena related to the physiology of cancer cells. Well, it turned out that those tumor cells that had the KISS1 gene in their genetic material did not have the ability to metastasize. The opposite was true for cells lacking the KISS1 gene - such structures could metastasize. For the reasons mentionedKisspeptin is considered to be a substance that inhibits the growth of neoplasms - thanks to it, pathogenic formations may remain uniform and do not have a tendency to spread to locations other than the primary site. However, the exact mechanisms by which kisspeptin works against cancer are still under investigation.

Kisspeptyna: other reports

Work on kisspeptin has been going on for over 20 years, but science still doesn't know everything about this compound. For example, it has been found that during pregnancy, levels of kisspeptin in pregnant organisms increase significantly. The significance of these changes is unclear, but there are reports that low levels of kisspeptin in pregnant women are associated with the risk of obstetric complications such as pre-eclampsia and miscarriage. Kisspeptin likely affects many other organs as well. There are reports of the effect of this peptide on the kidneys - there is a possibility that kisspeptin increases the release of aldosterone acting on the renal tubules. One of the latest reports about this peptide relates to the fact that kisspeptin may slow down insulin production and thus lead to the occurrence of diabetes. Despite many years of research, kisspeptin remains a rather mysterious substance - it is very likely that the next few years will bring further reports on the impact of kisspeptin on the human body.

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