🛡️Kisspeptin-10
Hypothalamic neuropeptide that drives GnRH pulsatile release — the master upstream regulator of the HPG axis. Critical for puberty onset and fertility. Used in hypogonadism and fertility research.
Tyr-Asn-Trp-Asn-Ser-Phe-Gly-Leu-Arg-Phe-NH₂What Is Kisspeptin-10?
Kisspeptin-10 is the C-terminal decapeptide of kisspeptin (KiSS-1 gene product), the most potent known activator of pulsatile GnRH release from the hypothalamus. It is the master upstream regulator of the HPG axis — controlling puberty onset, LH/FSH secretion, and reproductive cyclicity in both sexes.
Key Mechanisms
- GPR54 (KISS1R) agonism — activates hypothalamic GnRH neurons to release GnRH pulses
- LH/FSH stimulation — downstream activation of pituitary gonadotropins
- Sex steroid feedback integration — kisspeptin neurons integrate estrogen and testosterone signals to regulate GnRH pulsatility
- Puberty gate — critical for the pubertal activation of the reproductive axis
Key References
- Seminara SB et al. "The GPR54 gene as a regulator of puberty." N Engl J Med, 2003;349:1614–1627.
- Young J et al. "Kisspeptin in hypogonadism." J Clin Endocrinol Metab, 2012;97:E537–545.
Frequently Asked Questions
No — native kisspeptin (KP-54) is a 54-amino-acid peptide; Kisspeptin-10 is its shortest fully bioactive fragment (the C-terminal decapeptide), retaining full potency at the GPR54/KISS1R receptor while being easier to synthesise for research use.
Kisspeptin neurons sit upstream of GnRH neurons and integrate sex-steroid feedback before triggering GnRH pulses — every downstream HPG hormone depends on this signal, making it a key research tool for studying puberty and fertility regulation.
Very short — around 28 minutes in plasma — an important variable to account for in protocol design or PK-modelling work.