Recent advances on the relationship between the delta-like noncanonical Notch ligand 1 system and central precocious puberty†.

Abstract

Precocious puberty, as a common pediatric endocrine disease, can be divided into central precocious puberty and peripheral precocious puberty, even though most cases of precocious puberty are diagnosed as central precocious puberty. According to its etiology, central precocious puberty can be further divided into organic and idiopathic central precocious puberty. However, the mechanisms of idiopathic central precocious puberty have not yet been fully elucidated. Currently, four genes, including the kisspeptin gene, the kisspeptin receptor gene, the makorin ring finger protein 3, and the delta-like noncanonical Notch ligand 1, have been implicated in central precocious puberty cases, of which delta-like noncanonical Notch ligand 1 has been determined to represent a key, recently found central precocious puberty-related gene. In this review, we will not only highlight the latest discoveries on the relationship between the delta-like noncanonical Notch ligand 1 system and central precocious puberty but also explore the involvement of the system as well as the Notch signaling pathway in central precocious puberty occurrence.