Tachykinin signaling in the control of puberty onset

The tachykinin family of peptides has emerged as a critical component of the central control of the reproductive axis. Mounting evidence suggests that neurokinin B (NKB) plays an essential role in sexual maturation and fertility by directly stimulating the release of kisspeptin, with the contribution of additional tachykinins (neurokinin A [NKA] and substance P [SP]) in the fine tuning of the activity of Kiss1 neurons. The expression of tachykinins increases in the hypothalamus before puberty and, therefore, they are considered as initiators of pubertal development by stimulating the awakening of Kiss1 neurons. This is supported by studies showing delayed or absent puberty onset in humans and mice devoid of tachykinin signaling, and the advancement of puberty onset in rodents subjected to chronic activation of tachykinin receptors. This review compiles the current knowledge on the role of tachykinins in the control of puberty onset.