Endocrine Abstracts

Introduction: Anosmin-1, which is implicated in the pathogenesis of X-linked Kallmann`s syndrome, consists of a cysteine rich region, followed by a WAP domain and 4 fibronectin type III (FN3) domains. The N-terminal region of anosmin-1, WAP and 1st FN3 domain, is highly conserved in a wide variety of species which suggests that the activity of the protein resides in these conserved segments. Difficulties in the expression of the full-length anosmin-1 by Chinese hamster ovary c...

IntroductionKallmann syndrome (isolated hypogonadotrophic hypogonadism and anosmia), is caused by loss of KAL-1 function in the developing human olfactory system. Gene function is also conserved in eukaryotes, including nematodes, chick and rodents. However, the precise role of kal-1 in the developing nervous system is unclear. D.melanogaster an ideal model to study kal-1 function, as many molecular aspects of olfactory development are shared with mammal...

IntroductionThe main population of GnRH-1 neurons that control activity of the HPG axis in primates originate in the peripheral olfactory system. Recently, in vitro primary cell cultures from human fetal olfactory epithelium, named FNC-B4, have been shown to express GnRH-1 and are likely to be the precursor of the adult-like GnRH-1 system distribution in the CNS. A number of external and cell-autonomous factors are known to control migration of these spe...

IntroductionIn higher vertebrates, the main population of forebrain GnRH1 neurons originate in the embryonic olfactory placode. Early migration of GnRH neurons in mice - from the nasal placode into the nasal mesenchyme - depends on NELF (nasal embryonic LHRH factor). Furthermore, migratory GnRH cells express the leptin receptor. The precise role(s) of leptin during neuroendocrine GnRH development are unknown but it may combine with Neuropeptide Y (NPY) t...