Beyond reproduction: Exploring the Non-Canonical roles of the Kisspeptin System in Diverse Biological Systems

Abstract

G protein-coupled receptors are integral membrane proteins in cell signaling processes. Activation of G protein-coupled receptors by specific agonists promotes the activation of different G-proteins, activating different intracellular signaling pathways, including adenylate cyclase activation and intracellular calcium release. One of the G protein-coupled receptors studied is the kisspeptin receptor, which regulates reproduction and gonadotropin secretion. However, recent studies have shown that kisspeptin and its receptor have non-canonical roles in cell signaling and several biological systems. In the present review, we will present these different functions exerted by the kisspeptin system in different biological systems, such as the central nervous system, the cardiovascular system, and the immune system, as well as the role of this system in pathologies such as preeclampsia, diabetes, and cancer. Understanding their non-canonical roles in cell signaling may have important implications in developing new therapies for various diseases. Keywords: Kisspeptin-1 Receptor, Kisspeptins, G-protein coupled receptor, Signal Transduction, Cancer, Diabetes Mellitus, Preeclampsia.