Characterization of the porcine Kisspeptins receptor gene and evaluation as candidate for timing of puberty in sows

Abstract

Kisspeptins receptor (KISS1R), also called GPR54, is a key regulator of puberty in many species. KISS1R and its genetics in pigs remain unexplored. The objective of this study was to characterize the porcine KISS1R gene and evaluate the association of KISS1R mutations with age at puberty in sows. KISS1R was assigned to pig chromosome 2q21-24 by radiation hybrid mapping. It has a 1438 bp full-length cDNA and spans 3349 bp genomic sequence consisting of five exons and four introns. Semi-quantitative RT-PCR showed that KISS1R transcripts was particularly abundant in the adrenal, prostate, testis, thymus, pituary and hypothalamus. KISS1R mRNA content in the hypothalamus was determined by real-time quantitative RT-PCR, and it fluctuated during the oestrous cycle with the highest level in the luteal phase. Anoestrus sows had markedly lower hypothalamic KISS1R mRNA content than cyclic animals. Seven KISS1R SNPs were identified in the founder animals of a White Duroc x Erhualian intercross. One missense mutation (T/C(245)) showed quite different allele distribution in Chinese and Western breeds. All F(0), F(1) animals and 367 detailed phenotyped cyclic F(2) sows in the White Duroc x Erhualian intercross were genotyped for three KISS1R polymorphisms. No significant association of KISS1R haplotypes and haplotype pairs with age at puberty was observed in the resource population, indicating that mutations in KISS1R are not responsible for divergent age at puberty in White Duroc and Erhualian pigs.

Molecular Characterization and Estrogen Regulation of Hypothalamic KISS1 Gene in the Pig1

“…Recently, Lents et al [17] reported that central and peripheral administration of the full length of human kisspeptin effectively stimulates LH and FSH release in prepubertal gilts. Further, porcine kisspeptin receptor GPR54 was identified with an abundant expression in the hypothalamus [28]. Taken together with the current result, PeN kisspeptin neurons may be responsible for positive feedback action of estrogen to induce a preovulatory GnRH/LH surge.…”

Association Between Sexual Precocity and Alleles ofKISS-1andGPR54Genes in Goats

“…The mutation positions were based on the mRNA and amino acid sequence of Bos Taurus GPR54 (XM 607130 and XP 607130 respectively). In general, GPR54 gene showed abundant polymorphism, mutations were also found in human (11,12) and pig (13).…”

International Union of Basic and Clinical Pharmacology. LXXVII. Kisspeptin Receptor Nomenclature, Distribution, and Function

“…Kiss1r mRNA has been detected in the hypothalamus of pig (Li et al, 2008) and monkey (Shahab et al, 2005) and the pituitary of sheep (Smith et al, 2008). There has been recent interest in conservation of the kisspeptin regulation of reproduction during evolution and in keeping with this the kisspeptin receptor has been detected in several fish species, notably in the brain (Parhar et Biran et al, 2008;Filby et al, 2008;van Aerle et al, 2008;Carrillo et al, 2009;Li et al, 2009;Mechaly et al, 2009;Yang et al, 2010) and in frog Moon et al, 2009).…”