KISS-1/GPR54基因在猪繁育性能中的作用概述

KISS-1和GPR54(Kiss-1受体)基因共同作用组成KISS-1/GPR54系统,参与HPGA启动青春期,调节下丘脑分泌Gn RH,并刺激垂体门脉系统分泌LH、FSH对性腺产生作用,刺激雌激素、睾酮等激素合成,进而促使卵子和精子的产生,使个体具备生殖能力,在生殖中起关键调控作用。该文章对这两个基因在猪的繁育性能中的作用进行简述,旨在探讨和挖掘影响猪繁育的遗传机理及作用,为更有效地提高猪场产量及优良繁育猪种的选育提供参考依据。     

Kisspeptins/GPR54神经内分泌系统对哺乳动物生殖活动的调控

哺乳动物的生殖活动受到神经内分泌系统的精确调控。近年来的研究表明,KISS-1基因的表达产物Kisspeptins及其G蛋白偶联受体（G protein coupled receptor 54,GPR54）在这一调控网络中发挥着重要作用,与哺乳动物青春期启动、发情排卵及季节性繁殖等过程密切相关。该文就近年来Kisspeptins/GPR54系统对哺乳动物生殖活动调控的研究进展进行简述。     

日粮能量水平对五指山猪初情期性腺轴KISS-1/GPR54 mRNA水平表达影响

本研究采用实时荧光定量PCR技术检测不同日粮能量水平对五指山猪初情期性腺轴Kiss-1、GPR54基因mRNA水平表达的影响。结果显示,在NRC和0.7 NRC两组实验猪的下丘脑、垂体、卵巢组织中均检测到Kiss-1、GPR54基因mRNA水平的表达;NRC组在下丘脑和卵巢kiss-1 mRNA表达量显著高于0.7NRC组(p0.05),在垂体中的表达差异不显著(p0.05);日粮能量水平对初情期性腺轴GPR54 mRNA表达差异不显著(p0.05)。说明KISS-1/GPR54系统对动物初情表达的调节作用可能是通过调节下丘脑KISS-1基因的表达来实现。结果表明kiss-1 mRNA的表达规律在NRC组和0.7NRC组间保持一致,表达量依次为:下丘脑垂体卵巢;GPR54 mRNA的表达规律在NRC组和0.7NRC组间也保持一致,表达量依次为:卵巢垂体下丘脑,表明不同日粮水平的摄入并不影响Kiss-1、GPR54基因在各个组织中的表达规律。     

促性腺激素的神经内分泌调控

本文简要介绍了哺乳动物胎儿时的促性腺激素的神经内分泌调节及成体时促性腺激素的神经内分泌调节,着重介绍儿茶酚胺、阿片样、γ-氨基丁酸（GABA）、GPR54（视黄酸家族G蛋白偶联受体）／kisspeptin（GPR54内源性配体）以及Ghrelin（生长激素促分泌素受体的内源性配体）对促性腺激素分泌的调控作用。     

不同日粮水平对初情期五指山猪性腺轴Kisspeptin/GPR54蛋白表达作用

为了阐明不同日粮水平对初情期五指山猪母猪性腺轴组织中Kisspeptin/GPR54蛋白表达作用影响,本研究采用免疫组织化学法DAB显色技术对其蛋白表达进行检测。结果表明,NRC和0.7 NRC两组实验中猪性腺轴(下丘脑,垂体,卵巢)组织中均检测到Kisspeptin和GPR54 2种蛋白的表达,并确定2种蛋白表达部位为细胞核;其中NRC组Kisspeptin蛋白下丘脑、垂体和卵巢中表达量显著比0.7 NRC组高(p0.05),2组实验中GPR54蛋白在性腺轴中表达无显著差异(p0.05),说明Kisspeptin/GPR54系统在动物初情期中的调控作用是通过个体下丘脑组织中Kiss1蛋白的表达情况得以实现的;Kisspeptin蛋白在2组实验组猪个体性腺轴中的表达规律一致,表达量从高到低排列依次为丘脑、垂体、卵巢;GPR54蛋白则在2组实验组猪个体性腺轴中表达量从高到低排列依次为卵巢、垂体、下丘脑。说明控制日粮能量的摄入并不能影响以上2种基因在猪个体性腺轴各组织中的表达规律。     

达氏鲟gpr54基因的克隆及Kisspeptin注射对其表达的影响

G蛋白偶联受体54(GPR54, G protein-coupled receptor 54)是kisspeptin (Kiss)的受体蛋白。Kisspeptin/GPR54系统通过调节促性腺激素释放激素(GnRH)的活性来参与鱼类生殖调控。为了研究Kisspeptin/GPR54系统对达氏鲟(Acipenser dabryanus)GnRH的调控功能, 克隆得到达氏鲟2个gpr54基因的全长cDNA序列, 命名为dsgpr54-1及dsgpr54-2, 分别编码379和368个氨基酸。氨基酸序列比对及进化树分析表明, 达氏鲟Gpr54与四足动物Gpr54序列一致性较高, 亲缘关系较近。荧光定量PCR研究发现, dsgpr54-1的转录本在精巢、卵巢、下丘脑、垂体、中脑及端脑等组织中均有表达, 且在下丘脑中转录水平最高; 而dsgpr54-2仅在脑组织中转录, 且在垂体、中脑及下丘脑中表达丰度均较高。为了研究Gpr54是否可以与其配体Kisspeptin结合调控下丘脑中gnrh基因的表达, 分别合成了达氏鲟Kiss-1和Kiss-2的核心十肽(10 nmol/L、1000 nmol/L), 腹腔注射到9月龄达氏鲟。结果表明, 不同浓度Kiss-1、Kiss-2注射均引起gpr54基因表达量升高, 并且10 nmol/L Kiss-2注射能够显著促进dsgpr54-2的表达(P<0.05)。另外, 不同浓度Kiss-1注射均造成了gnrh转录水平的下降; 而10 nmol/L Kiss-2注射使得gnrh1表达量上升, 而gnrh2的表达量下降, 1000 nmol/L Kiss-2注射则引起gnrh1表达量的下降, gnrh2的表达量没有显著变化。上述研究结果表明, 达氏鲟gpr54基因均能与其配体kiss-1、kiss-2相结合, 但表现出一定的受体-配体选择性差异。Kiss-1、Kiss-2通过激活Gpr54的活性, 调控下丘脑中gnrh基因的表达, 且其调控功能存在差异。     

动物季节性繁殖分子调控机理研究进展

动物季节性发情繁殖涉及下丘脑-垂体-性腺轴系统复杂的神经内分泌过程,并受光照周期等环境因素的影响。褪黑激素则作为光周期信号分子调控动物季节性繁殖活动。近年来研究发现,对GnRH分泌有重要影响的Kiss1/GPR54系统既受褪黑激素的调控又受到性腺类固醇激素反馈调节,Kiss1/GPR54系统很可能是调控动物季节性繁殖的关键因子;同时动物季节性繁殖很可能还存在一条涉及TSH-DIO2/DIO3系统的逆向调控通路,该系统同样显著影响GnRH合成释放并受褪黑激素调控。文章就褪黑激素中心信号,特别是Kiss1/GPR54和TSH-DIO2/DIO3系统对繁殖季节性调控的最新研究进展进行综述。     

牦牛KISS-1基因的克隆及其在生殖轴的表达

KISS-1在动物繁殖调控中具有重要作用,旨为探讨KISS-1基因在牦牛季节性繁殖中的调控作用。实验采集5头成年母牦牛和5头黄牛的下丘脑、垂体等组织,利用RT-PCR和q PCR技术研究其KISS-1基因序列及组织表达特性。结果表明,牦牛和黄牛KISS-1基因编码区长度为408 bp,编码135个氨基酸,比对分析发现牦牛和黄牛基因编码区存在7处碱基突变。牦牛KISS-1基因氨基酸序列与黄牛、藏山羊、绵羊、野猪、人和褐家鼠的同源性分别为97%、85%、65%、55%和51.5%。KISS-1基因m RNA在牦牛和黄牛的下丘脑、垂体、卵巢、输卵管及子宫中均有表达。在下丘脑和脑垂体的表达丰度高,但两物种间无显著性差异(P0.05)。说明KISS-1基因在动物进化中比较保守,对牦牛季节性繁殖的调控作用有待进一步研究。     

促黄体素β基因表达中的转导通路及转录因子

促性腺激素释放激素 (GnRH)为下丘脑促垂体激素 ,其脉冲式地释放调节垂体促卵泡素(FSH)和促黄体素 (LH)的合成与释放 ,进而调节动物的生殖活动。LH是由α亚基和 β亚基组成的异二聚体糖蛋白激素 ,其中 β亚基决定激素的特异性。LHβ基因的表达是由GnRH诱发的 ,此过程主要依靠PKC和Ca2 两类信号通路 ,并调节LHβ基因的表达。目前已经发现 ,多种转录因子 ,如早期生长反应基因 (Egr 1)、核受体SF 1基因、Ptx1基因和Sp1基因等 ,通过与LHβ亚基基因的启动子区直接结合 ,而对该基因的表达进行调控。     

外源激素对雄性黄鳝性类固醇激素分泌的影响

硬骨鱼类促性腺激素(GTH)的分泌受到双重调控,即促性腺激素释放激素(GnRH)的刺激和促性腺激素释放抑制因子(GRIF)的抑制1.       

Kisspeptin mediates the photoperiodic control of reproduction in hamsters

The KiSS-1 gene encodes kisspeptin, the endogenous ligand of the G-protein-coupled receptor GPR54. Recent data indicate that the KiSS-1/GPR54 system is critical for the regulation of reproduction and is required for puberty onset. In seasonal breeders, reproduction is tightly controlled by photoperiod (i.e., day length). The Syrian hamster is a seasonal model in which reproductive activity is promoted by long summer days (LD) and inhibited by short winter days (SD). Using in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry, we show that KiSS-1 is expressed in the arcuate nucleus of LD hamsters. Importantly, the KiSS-1 mRNA level was lower in SD animals but not in SD-refractory animals, which spontaneously reactivated their sexual activity after several months in SD. These changes of expression are not secondary to the photoperiodic variations of gonadal steroids. In contrast, melatonin appears to be necessary for these seasonal changes because pineal-gland ablation prevented the SD-induced downregulation of KiSS-1 expression. Remarkably, a chronic administration of kisspeptin-10 restored the testicular activity of SD hamsters despite persisting photoinhibitory conditions. Overall, these findings are consistent with a role of KiSS-1/GPR54 in the seasonal control of reproduction. We propose that photoperiod, via melatonin, modulates KiSS-1 signaling to drive the reproductive axis.     

Association Between Sexual Precocity and Alleles of KISS-1 and GPR54 Genes in Goats

KISS-1 and GPR54 were regarded as key regulators for the puberty onset and fundamental gatekeepers of sexual maturation in mammals. To explore the possible association between variations in KISS-1 and GPR54 with sexual precocity, mutation screening of exon 1 of KISS-1 and exon 1, exon 3, and partial exon 5 of GPR54 was performed in a sexual precocious breed (Jining Grey goats) and sexual late-maturing breeds (Inner Mongolia Cashmere, Angora, and Boer goats) by PCR-SSCP. The results showed that five novel mutations were identified in exon 1 and partial exon 5 of GPR54 including C96 T, T173C, G176A, G825A, and C981 T. The Jining Grey goats with genotype BB or AB had 1.07 (P < 0.05) or 0.40 (P < 0.05) kids more than those with AA. The Jining Grey goats with genotype DD or CD had 1.80 (P < 0.05) or 0.55 (P < 0.05) kids more than CC, respectively. The present study preliminarily showed an association between alleles B and D of GPR54 with high litter size and sexual precocity in Jining Grey goats.     

GnRH deficiency: new insights from genetics

The acquisition of a sexually dimorphic phenotype is a critical event in mammalian development. Hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (HH) results from impaired secretion of GnRH. The patients display with delayed puberty, micropenis and cryptorchidism in the male reflecting gonadotropin insufficiency, and amenorrhea in the female. Kallmann's syndrome (KS) is defined by the association of HH and anosmia or hyposmia (absent smelling sense). Segregation analysis in familial cases has demonstrated diverse inheritance patterns, suggesting the existence of several genes regulating GnRH secretion. The X-linked form of the disease was associated with a genetic defect in the KALI gene located on the Xp22.3 region. KAL1 gene encodes an extracellular matrix glycoprotein anosmin-1, which facilitates neuronal growth and migration. Abnormalities in the migratory processes of the GnRH neurons with the olfactory neurons explain the association of HH with anosmia. Recently, mutations in the FGF recepteur 1 (FGFR1) gene were found in KS with autosomal dominant mode of inheritance. The role of FGFR1 in the function of reproduction requires further investigation. Besides HH with anosmia, there are isolated HH (IHH). No human GnRH mutations have been reported although hypogonadal mice due to a GnRH gene deletion exist. In patients with idiopathic HH and without anosmia an increasing number of GnRH receptor (GnRHR) mutations have been described which represent about 50% of familial cases. The clinical features are highly variable and there is a good relationship between genotype and phenotype. A complete loss of function is associated with the most severe phenotype with resistance to pulsatile GnRH treatment, absence of puberty and cryptorchidism in the male. In contrast, milder loss of function mutations causes incomplete failure of pubertal development. The preponderant role of GnRH in the secretion of LH by the gonadotrophs explains the difference of the phenotype between male and female with partial GnRH resistance. Affected females can have spontaneous telarche and normal breast development while affected males exhibit no pubertal development but normal testis volume, a feature described as "fertile-eunuch". High-dose pulsatile GnRH has been used to induce ovulation. Another gene, called GPR54, responsible for idiopathic HH has been recently described by segregation analysis in two different consanguineous families. The GPR54 gene is an orphan receptor, and its putative ligand is the product of the KISS-1 gene, called metastine. Their roles in the function of reproduction are still unknown.     

Design and synthesis of fluorescent probes for GPR54

Kisspeptins are neuropeptides that induce the secretion of gonadotropin-releasing hormone via the activation of the cognate receptor, G-protein coupled receptor 54 (GPR54). The kisspeptin–GPR54 axis is associated with the onset of puberty and the maintenance of the reproductive system. In this study, several fluorescent probes have been designed and synthesized for rat GPR54 through the modification of the N-terminus of rat kisspeptins to allow for the visualization of the expression and localization of kisspeptin receptor(s) in living cells and native tissues. The tetramethylrhodamine (TMR) and rhodamine green (RG)-labeled kisspeptins exhibited good binding and agonistic activities towards GPR54, and the results of the application studies demonstrated that these fluorescent probes could be used effectively for the detection of GPR54 receptors in flow cytometry and confocal microscopy experiments.     

GPR54 regulates ERK1/2 activity and hypothalamic gene expression in a Gα(q/11) and β-arrestin-dependent manner

G protein-coupled receptor 54 (GPR54) is a G(q/11)-coupled 7 transmembrane-spanning receptor (7TMR). Activation of GPR54 by kisspeptin (Kp) stimulates PIP(2) hydrolysis, Ca(2+) mobilization and ERK1/2 MAPK phosphorylation. Kp and GPR54 are established regulators of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis and loss-of-function mutations in GPR54 are associated with an absence of puberty and hypogonadotropic hypogonadism, thus defining an important role of the Kp/GPR54 signaling system in reproductive function. Given the tremendous physiological and clinical importance of the Kp/GPR54 signaling system, we explored the contributions of the GPR54-coupled G(q/11) and β-arrestin pathways on the activation of a major downstream signaling molecule, ERK, using G(q/11) and β-arrestin knockout mouse embryonic fibroblasts. Our study revealed that GPR54 employs the G(q/11) and β-arrestin-2 pathways in a co-dependent and temporally overlapping manner to positively regulate ERK activity and pERK nuclear localization. We also show that while β-arrestin-2 potentiates GPR54 signaling to ERK, β-arrestin-1 inhibits it. Our data also revealed that diminished β-arrestin-1 and -2 expression in the GT1-7 GnRH hypothalamic neuronal cell line triggered distinct patterns of gene expression following Kp-10 treatment. Thus, β-arrestin-1 and -2 also regulate distinct downstream responses in gene expression. Finally, we showed that GPR54, when uncoupled from the G(q/11) pathway, as is the case for several naturally occurring GPR54 mutants associated with hypogonadotropic hypogonadism, continues to regulate gene expression in a G protein-independent manner. These new and exciting findings add significantly to our mechanistic understanding of how this important receptor signals intracellularly in response to kisspeptin stimulation.     

Expression and Function of Kisspeptin during Mouse Decidualization

Background

Plasma kisspeptin levels dramatically increased during the first trimester of human pregnancy, which is similar to pregnancy specific glycoprotein-human chorionic gonadotropin. However, its particular role in the implantation and decidualization has not been fully unraveled. Here, the study was conducted to investigate the expression and function of kisspeptin in mouse uterus during early pregnancy and decidualization.

Methodology/Principal Findings

Quantitative PCR results demonstrated that Kiss1 and GPR54 mRNA levels showed dynamic increase in the mouse uterus during early pregnancy and artificially induced decidualization in vivo. KISS-1 and GPR54 proteins were spatiotemporally expressed in decidualizing stromal cells in intact pregnant females, as well as in pseudopregnant mice undergoing artificially induced decidualization. In the ovariectomized mouse uterus, the expression of Kiss1 mRNA was upregulated after progesterone or/and estradiol treatment. Moreover, in a stromal cell culture model, the expression of Kiss1 and GPR54 mRNA gradually rise with the progression of stromal cell decidualization, whereas the attenuated expression of Kiss1 using small interfering RNA approaches significantly blocked the progression of stromal cell decidualization.

Conclusion

our results demonstrated that Kiss1/GPR54 system was involved in promoting uterine decidualization during early pregnancy in mice.     

Differential ovarian expression of KiSS-1 and GPR-54 during the estrous cycle and photoperiod induced recrudescence in Siberian hamsters (Phodopus sungorus)

Kisspeptins, coded by the KiSS-1 gene, regulate aspects of the reproductive axis by stimulating GnRH release via the G protein coupled receptor, GPR54. Recent reports show that KiSS/GPR54 may be key mediators in photoperiod-controlled reproduction in seasonal breeders, and that KiSS-1/GPR54 are expressed in the hypothalamus, ovaries, placenta, and pancreas. This study examined the expression of KiSS-1/GPR54 mRNA and protein in ovaries of Siberian hamsters (Phodopus sungorus). Ovaries from cycling hamsters were collected during proestrus (P), estrus (E), diestrus I (DI), and diestrus II (DII). To examine KiSS-1/GPR54 during stimulated recrudescence, additional hamsters were maintained either in long day (LD 16L:8D, control) or short day (SD 8L:16D) for 14 weeks and then transferred to LD for 0-8 weeks. Staining of KiSS-1/GPR54 protein was detected by immunohistochemistry in steroidogenic cells of pre-antral and antral follicles, and corpora lutea. Immunostaining peaked in P and E, but decreased in the diestrus stages (P < 0.05). In recrudescing ovaries, KiSS-1/GPR54 immunostaining was low after 14 weeks of SD exposure (post-transfer [PT] week 0), and increased during the early weeks of recrudescence. Expression of KiSS-1/GPR54 mRNA was low with short day exposure, but increased during recrudescence and was higher at PT week 8 as compared to PT weeks 0 and 2 (P < 0.05). The elevated KiSS-1/GPR54 expression during P and E suggests a potential role in ovulation in Siberian hamsters. Transient increases in KiSS-1/GPR54 expression following LD stimulation are also suggestive of possible involvement in ovulation and/or restoration of ovarian function.