Cloning and characterization of GPR54 in the testis of the anuran amphibian, Rana esculenta, during the annual reproductive cycle
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1
Seconda Università degli Studi di Napoli, Dipartimento di Medicina Sperimentale, Italy
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2
Università di Napoli Parthenope, Dipartimento SIST, Italy
Kisspeptins belong to the RF-amide family of peptides; a unique precursor is post-translationally cleaved to produce a 54-amino acid protein, also known as kisspeptin-54 or KISS-1 or metastin, a cancer metastasis suppressor. Three shorter peptides, kisspeptin-10, -13 and -14, are suggested degradation products of kisspeptin-54. KISS-1 binds and activates GPR54, a G protein-coupled receptor.
KISS-1/GPR54 system also represents a novel key player in the regulation of reproduction. Mutations in kiss-1/GPR54 genes cause hypogonadotropic hypogonadism, with delayed sexual maturation, low levels of gonadal sex steroids, lack of spermatogenesis and ovulation.
This system is widely expressed in the brain, pituitary, and in several peripheral tissues, gonads included. The primary site of action of the system is the gonadotropic axis. In fact, it stimulates luteinizing hormone (LH) secretion in many species, through a direct activity upon gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH)-secreting neurons. Furthermore, KISS-1/GPR54 system is evolutionary conserved from fish to mammals, humans included. Therefore, to investigate the direct involvement of kisspeptin system in the spermatogenetic process, we have cloned a fragment of GPR54 cDNA (1079bp) from the testis of the anuran amphibian, Rana esculenta. GPR54 expression levels have also been analysed in frog tissues (brain, spinal cord, testis, ovary, muscle, kidney) and in the testis during the annual reproductive cycle. Finally, GPR54 mRNA has been localized in the testis by in situ hybridization.
These data suggest that kisspeptins/GPR54 might act as intratesticular autocrine/paracrine signal in reproductive functions.
Keywords:
amphibian,
analysis of expression,
analysis of mRNA localization,
GnRH,
GPR54,
Kisspeptins,
Rana esculenta,
Spermatogenesis
Conference:
25th Conference of the European Comparative Endocrinologists, Pécs, Hungary, 31 Aug - 4 Sep, 2010.
Presentation Type:
Conference Presentation
Topic:
Comparative endocrinology
Citation:
Chianese
R,
Ciaramella
V,
Scarpa
D,
Cobellis
G,
Pierantoni
R,
Fasano
S and
Meccariello
R
(2010). Cloning and characterization of GPR54 in the testis of the anuran amphibian, Rana esculenta, during the annual reproductive cycle.
Front. Endocrinol.
Conference Abstract:
25th Conference of the European Comparative Endocrinologists.
doi: 10.3389/conf.fendo.2010.01.00076
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Received:
24 Aug 2010;
Published Online:
29 Aug 2010.
*
Correspondence:
Dr. Rosanna Chianese, Seconda Università degli Studi di Napoli, Dipartimento di Medicina Sperimentale, Naples, Italy, rosanna.chianese@unicampania.it