Research Overview
Kisspeptin-10 is a C-terminal decapeptide fragment of the kisspeptin precursor protein KISS1, supplied in a 10mg lyophilised vial under CAS 374675-21-5 at a measured purity of 98.45% by HPLC. Its sequence YNWNSFGLRF-NH2 retains the conserved C-terminal motif required for activation of the kisspeptin receptor, formerly known as GPR54. The molecular weight is 1301.7 Da.
Kisspeptin and its receptor have been investigated extensively in HPG-axis research since human genetic studies identified loss-of-function GPR54 mutations as associated with hypogonadotropic hypogonadism in published research. Each vial supplied by Origin Research is verified by HPLC purity data, mass spectrometry verification, peptide content and endotoxin testing.
The compound is intended exclusively for in-vitro and laboratory research use and is not authorised as a medicinal product or for any human or veterinary use. Researchers investigating kisspeptin signalling should design protocols in accordance with published methodology and applicable institutional and national guidance. Storage, reconstitution and analytical handling details are provided in the technical insert that accompanies each order.
Mechanism Studied in Research
Kisspeptin-10 has been characterised as a high-affinity agonist at the kisspeptin receptor, a Gq-coupled G-protein-coupled receptor expressed prominently on gonadotropin-releasing hormone neurons of the hypothalamus. In HPG-axis research, kisspeptin signalling has been investigated as the principal upstream regulator of GnRH neuronal pulsatility, with kisspeptin-expressing neurons of the arcuate and anteroventral periventricular nuclei proposed as the central pacemaker driving pulsatile GnRH release in animal-model research.
The conserved C-terminal Arg-Phe-amide motif of kisspeptin-10 is critical for receptor binding, with structure-activity research demonstrating that truncation beyond this motif abolishes activity in receptor-binding assays. Downstream of receptor activation, GnRH neurons increase transcription and firing activity, contributing to luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone secretion.
Kisspeptin neurons are modulated by sex-steroid feedback, with oestrogen, testosterone and progesterone receptors expressed on subpopulations that integrate negative and positive feedback into pulsatile GnRH output. In comparative pharmacology, kisspeptin-10 is generally characterised with similar receptor potency to longer kisspeptin isoforms such as kisspeptin-54 but with a shorter plasma half-life in research-model pharmacokinetics.
Research Applications
Kisspeptin-10 has been investigated across several distinct research programmes anchored in HPG-axis physiology, reproductive neuroendocrine research, and as a tool to probe GnRH pulse generation, with intravenous bolus and continuous-infusion protocols characterising LH pulse profiles in animal and human research-model populations.
In reproductive endocrinology translational research, kisspeptin has been investigated as a research probe for final follicular maturation, with multiple published studies characterising LH surge kinetics and oocyte yield in research-protocol settings. In developmental endocrinology research, kisspeptin signalling has been mapped as a central node integrating metabolic and sex-steroid signals into the timing of puberty in rodent and primate research models.
In hypogonadotropic research, kisspeptin-10 has been studied as a tool for distinguishing hypothalamic from pituitary-level dysfunction in research models. Researchers developing comparative pharmacology profiles relevant to experimental designs have characterised receptor potency and pharmacokinetic profiles relevant to selective receptor probes.
The compound serves as a reference peptide for HPLC and mass-spectrometry method development, with its characteristic C-terminal RF-amide motif providing a recognisable fragmentation pattern. In stress-axis interaction research, kisspeptin signalling has been studied for crosstalk with corticotropin-releasing hormone neurons and the broader limbic system.
Reconstitution Reference
Kisspeptin-10 is supplied as a lyophilised powder and researchers reconstitute it using bacteriostatic water containing 0.9% benzyl alcohol or sterile sodium chloride 0.9% for short-duration assays. A common preparation for the 10mg vial is the addition of 2ml of bacteriostatic water, producing a working concentration of 5mg per ml.
The diluent should be introduced slowly down the vial wall to avoid directing the stream onto the peptide cake. Once the diluent has been added the vial should be left to dissolve passively for several minutes, with gentle inversion if required. Vigorous shaking is not recommended.
The reconstituted solution should appear visually clear and free of particulate matter. Refrigerated storage between 2 and 8 degrees Celsius is generally characterised as appropriate for up to two to three weeks in bacteriostatic water, with longer-term aliquot storage at minus 20 degrees Celsius in polypropylene tubes.
Researchers handling kisspeptin in pulsatility-characterisation studies typically aliquot fresh material to control for variability in bioassays.
Storage and Handling
Lyophilised kisspeptin-10 vials should be stored at minus 20 degrees Celsius in a dry, light-protected environment. Short-term storage between 2 and 8 degrees Celsius is acceptable for periods of several weeks prior to reconstitution.
Reconstituted solutions should be refrigerated between 2 and 8 degrees Celsius and used within the stability window characterised in published protocols, generally up to two to three weeks in bacteriostatic water. Aliquots intended for longer-term storage are prepared in polypropylene tubes and frozen at minus 20 degrees Celsius.
Repeated freeze-thaw cycles are not recommended. The vial should be returned to controlled storage promptly after each draw and handled with clean gloves to support the integrity of the research material.
References
[2] Seminara S.B. et al. (2003). The GPR54 gene as a regulator of puberty. New England Journal of Medicine. PMID 12717374
[3] Jayasena C.N. et al. (2010). Subcutaneous injection of kisspeptin-54 acutely stimulates gonadotropin secretion in women with hypothalamic amenorrhoea. Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism. PMID 20392876
[4] Dhillo W.S. et al. (2007). KiSS-1 and reproduction: physiology and clinical implications. Journal of Endocrinology. PMID 17957044
[5] Chan Y.M. et al. (2011). The role of kisspeptin signalling in reproduction and metabolic regulation. Endocrine Reviews. PMID 21296995