The peptide at the top of the reproductive axis, upstream of GnRH, whose discovery rewrote how the axis is understood to start.
- Form
- kisspeptin-10, the C-terminal decapeptide of KISS1
- Sequence
- Tyr-Asn-Trp-Asn-Ser-Phe-Gly-Leu-Arg-Phe-NH2 (human)
- Molecular formula
- C63H83N17O14
- Molecular weight
- 1302.4 g/mol
- CAS number
- 374675-21-5
- Appearance
- white lyophilised powder
- Strengths available
- 5mg, 10mg per vial
- Purity
- ≥99% by HPLC, identity confirmed by mass spectrometry
- Released against
- the Certificate of Analysis for its own batch
About Kisspeptin
Kisspeptin was found because of a receptor. Patients with a form of hypogonadotropic hypogonadism, with absent puberty and low gonadotropins, were found to carry loss-of-function mutations in GPR54, now called KISS1R. That placed an unrecognised receptor at the top of the reproductive axis, and the search for its ligand produced kisspeptin, establishing that the axis has a layer above GnRH rather than beginning with it.
The KISS1 gene encodes a 54-residue peptide, and its activity resides in the C-terminal decapeptide, kisspeptin-10, the shortest sequence that fully activates the receptor and the form supplied here. Kisspeptin neurons in the arcuate nucleus and the anteroventral periventricular nucleus drive GnRH release, which in turn drives LH and FSH from the pituitary.
What the research covers
Acting above GnRH preserves the pulse generator. Kisspeptin neurons are themselves the source of the pulsatility GnRH release depends on, and stimulating them engages that machinery instead of overriding it. They co-express neurokinin B and dynorphin, and the interplay of those three signals in the arcuate KNDy population is the current model of pulse generation.
That makes kisspeptin the tool for work on how the axis is switched on and modulated: the onset of puberty, metabolic gating of reproduction through leptin signalling, oestrogen feedback that reverses sign between the two kisspeptin populations, and the integration of stress and energy status. There is human experimental literature too. Reading results from one level of the axis as though they applied at another, for example kisspeptin against HCG acting directly at the gonad, is the commonest interpretive error here. Published work is indexed on PubMed.
Handling Kisspeptin
Supplied lyophilised. Kisspeptin fragments are prone to adsorption and, being cationic, bind readily to glass and standard plasticware at low working concentration.
Use low-binding plasticware, reconstitute gently, keep solutions cold and freshly prepared, and avoid long dilution chains where material is lost at every transfer. Store sealed vials at -20°C. Solvent options are under reconstitution supplies.
Common questions about Kisspeptin
What is kisspeptin-10?
The C-terminal ten residues of the 54-residue kisspeptin, the shortest fragment that fully activates its receptor KISS1R.
Where does kisspeptin sit in the reproductive axis?
Above GnRH. It drives the hypothalamic GnRH neurons, which drive LH and FSH release from the pituitary.
Why is acting above GnRH useful?
It engages the system’s own pulse generator rather than overriding it, so the axis keeps its natural rhythm and feedback.
What are KNDy neurons?
Arcuate neurons co-expressing kisspeptin, neurokinin B and dynorphin, whose interplay is the current model of GnRH pulse generation.
How should kisspeptin be stored?
Sealed vials at -20°C. Solutions are prepared fresh in low-binding plasticware.
