Kisspeptin

Kisspeptin (formerly known as metastin) is a protein that is encoded by the KISS1 gene in humans. Kisspeptin is a G-protein coupled receptor ligand for GPR54.Kiss1 was originally identified as a human metastasis suppressor gene that has the ability to suppress melanoma and breast cancer metastasis. Kisspeptin-GPR54 signaling has an important role in initiating secretion of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) at puberty, the extent of which is an area of ongoing research. The release of gonadotropin-releasing hormone is due to an action on the anterior pituitary and also involves the release of luteinizing hormone (LH), and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH). These gonadotropic hormones lead to sexual maturation and gametogenesis. Disrupting GPR54 signaling can cause hypogonadotrophic hypogonadism in rodents and man. The Kiss1 gene is located on chromosome 1. It is transcribed in the brain, adrenal gland, and pancreas.

History

In 1996, Dr. Danny Welch’s lab in Hershey, Pennsylvania isolated a cDNA from a cancer cell that was not able to undergo metastasis after the human chromosome 6 was added to the cell. This gene was named KISS1 because of the location of where it was discovered (Hershey, Pennsylvania, home of Hershey's Kiss) . Introduction of this chromosome into the once active cancer cell inhibited it from spreading and the cDNA responsible was taken from that cell. The fact that KISS1 was responsible for this was proved when it was transfected into melanoma cells and yet again, metastasis was suppressed. Later, a breakthrough would occur not involving Kisspeptin, but with its receptor.