Role of kisspeptin/GPR54 in hippocampal function

Kisspeptins are peptides encoded by the antimetastatic KiSS-1 gene that was originally discovered in melanomas. Subsequent studies found that kisspeptins are ligands for the orphan G-protein coupled receptor GPR54. Both ligand and receptor were also identified in the placenta and pituitary as well as in various brain regions such as the hypothalamus, amygdala and hippocampal dentate gyrus. Based on recent insights in the field of neuroendocrinology, the KiSS-1/GPR54 system is now considered as being the gatekeeper for the release of gonadotropic hormone and for the onset of puberty. However, its function in the hippocampus is not yet known. This presentation will show that kisspeptins have major effects on excitatory synaptic transmission in granule cells of the dentate gyrus and that specific postsynaptic signaling mechanisms are involved. The presentation also includes our recent findings on the regulation of KiSS-1 and GPR54 gene expression in the hippocampus in in vivo and in vitro preparations.




Reference:
Arai AC, Xia Y-F, Suzuki E, Kessler M, Civelli O, Nothacker H-P. (2005) The cancer metastasis suppressing peptide metastin upregulates excitatory synaptic transmission in hippocampal dentate granule cells. J. Neurophysiol, 94: 3648-3652.

Laboratory URL:
http://www.siumed.edu/pharm/faculty/Arai/AraiLab.htm
Research Intersts:
* Cellular and molecular function of the AMPA receptor
* AMPA receptor modulators
* Synaptic transmission (hippocampus, thalamus)
* Synaptic plasticity