The discovery of kisspeptin as a critical central regulatory factor of GnRH release has given
people a novel understanding of the neuroendocrine regulation in human reproduction …

Research on matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and in particular on gelatinase B, alias MMP-
9, has grown exponentially in the decade 2003–2012. Structural details about flexibility of …

The amino acid antiporter system Xc− is important for the synthesis of glutathione (GSH) that
functions to prevent lipid peroxidation and protect cells from nonapoptotic, iron-dependent …

Procreation is essential for survival of species. Not surprisingly, complex neuronal networks
have evolved to mediate the diverse internal and external environmental inputs that regulate …

Natural peptides displaying agonist activity on the orphan G protein-coupled receptor
GPR54 were isolated from human placenta. These 54-, 14,-and 13-amino acid peptides …

Kisspeptins are products of the KiSS-1 gene, which bind to a G protein-coupled receptor
known as GPR54. Mutations or targeted disruptions in the GPR54 gene cause …

The metalloproteinases degrade extracellular matrix (ECM) components and activate growth
factors, thereby contributing to physiological events (tissue remodeling in pregnancy, wound …

GPR54 is a G-protein-coupled receptor that displays a high percentage of identity in the
transmembrane domains with the galanin receptors. The ligand for GPR54 has been …

Current focus on cancer metastasis has centered on the intrinsic factors regulating the cell
autonomous homing of the tumor cells to the metastatic site. Specific up-regulation of …

Various proteases are involved in cancer progression and metastasis. In particular,
gelatinases, matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) and MMP-9, have been implicated to play …