Kisspeptin-10
Kisspeptin-10 is the C-terminal decapeptide of kisspeptin, the product of the KISS1 gene. It activates the kisspeptin receptor (KISS1R, also called GPR54) and is studied as a regulator of gonadotropin-releasing hormone and reproductive hormones.
Overview
Kisspeptins are a family of peptides cleaved from a precursor encoded by the KISS1 gene, originally identified as a metastasis suppressor gene. The longest form, kisspeptin-54, was initially called metastin. Shorter fragments, including kisspeptin-14, kisspeptin-13 and kisspeptin-10, share the same C-terminal sequence, which carries the activity at the kisspeptin receptor. The name kisspeptin applies to the whole family of these related peptides.
In 2003, independent groups reported that loss-of-function mutations in the kisspeptin receptor cause hypogonadotropic hypogonadism and failure of puberty in people, establishing kisspeptin signaling as a key upstream regulator of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) neurons. Since then, kisspeptin-10 and kisspeptin-54 have been used in human physiology studies of the reproductive axis. Kisspeptin-10 is not approved by the FDA for any use and remains an investigational research peptide.
Compare: Gonadorelin vs kisspeptin-10.
Structure
Kisspeptin-10 is a linear decapeptide with the sequence Tyr-Asn-Trp-Asn-Ser-Phe-Gly-Leu-Arg-Phe-NH2 (YNWNSFGLRF-NH2), corresponding to the C-terminal ten residues of the kisspeptin precursor-derived peptides. The C-terminal Arg-Phe-amide is characteristic of the RF-amide peptide family and is required for receptor activity. The sequence contains tryptophan, which is oxidation-prone, and two asparagines, which can deamidate. Research material is typically supplied as an acetate or trifluoroacetate salt.
Mechanism
Kisspeptin-10 activates the kisspeptin receptor, KISS1R (also called GPR54), a G protein-coupled receptor expressed on GnRH neurons in the hypothalamus. Receptor activation stimulates GnRH release, which in turn drives secretion of luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) from the pituitary. Kisspeptin neurons are thought to integrate signals from sex steroids, metabolic status and other inputs, and to contribute to the pulsatile pattern of GnRH secretion. Sustained receptor exposure can lead to desensitization, which has been observed in some experimental settings.
Research
Reproductive axis physiology in humans
Small clinical physiology studies, notably from groups in the United Kingdom, have shown that kisspeptin-10 stimulates LH secretion in healthy men and women, with responses in women varying by menstrual cycle phase. These studies are typically small, short-term and designed to probe physiology rather than test treatments. They established kisspeptin as a potent stimulator of the human reproductive axis. Responses varied between individuals.
Hypogonadotropic and reproductive disorders
Researchers have used kisspeptin peptides to study conditions involving disrupted GnRH secretion, such as hypothalamic amenorrhea and some forms of hypogonadotropic hypogonadism. Kisspeptin responses can help characterize where in the reproductive axis a defect lies. These are investigational studies and do not establish kisspeptin-10 as a treatment. Study populations have been small, and protocols have varied between research centers, which makes cross-study comparison difficult.
Assisted reproduction research
Kisspeptin-54, a longer form, has been studied as a trigger for egg maturation in IVF research protocols, partly because it may carry a lower risk of ovarian hyperstimulation than conventional triggers. This research involves a different kisspeptin form and remains investigational. Kisspeptin-10 itself has a shorter duration of action in circulation. Larger comparative trials would be needed before conclusions can be drawn.
Metastasis and other research
Because KISS1 was first identified as a metastasis suppressor gene, kisspeptin signaling has also been studied in cancer cell lines and animal tumor models. Kisspeptin has additionally been examined in relation to placental function, metabolism and behavior. These areas are mainly preclinical. The relationship between kisspeptin signaling and tumor behavior appears to vary by cancer type, and clinical relevance has not been established.
Regulatory status
Kisspeptin-10 is not approved by the FDA for any use and was not among the substances reviewed by the FDA's Pharmacy Compounding Advisory Committee in July 2026. Human use has been limited to research studies. Status in other countries should be checked locally. For sport, check the current WADA Prohibited List.
Status changes often. See the regulatory tracker for dated updates.
Quality and identity testing
A kisspeptin-10 certificate of analysis should confirm identity by mass spectrometry against the expected mass shown on this page and report HPLC purity. The C-terminal amide is essential for activity; an acid-terminated variant differs by about 1 Da and should be excluded with high-resolution MS. Compound-specific degradation includes tryptophan oxidation and asparagine deamidation (+1 Da), which can be hard to resolve from the parent peak. The certificate should specify which kisspeptin form is supplied, since kisspeptin-10, -13, -14 and -54 are distinct compounds. Salt form and net peptide content should be stated.
Open Kisspeptin-10 in the sequence analyzer to see the expected [M+H]+ and multiply charged ions for an MS identity check (set the N-acetyl, amide and disulfide options to match).
For a walkthrough of each section of a certificate, see how to read a COA.
Storage and stability
Store lyophilized kisspeptin-10 sealed at -20 °C or below, protected from light and moisture. The tryptophan residue is sensitive to light and oxidation, and the asparagines can deamidate in solution, particularly at neutral to basic pH and higher temperatures. Prepare solutions close to use, keep them cold, aliquot them and avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles.
Download the Kisspeptin-10 data sheet (PDF): sequence, masses, expected MS ions and handling on one printable page.
Latest research
The newest PubMed-indexed papers that mention Kisspeptin-10 in their title or abstract, retrieved through Europe PMC and refreshed automatically. Inclusion is not an endorsement of a paper's findings.
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Frequently asked questions
Is kisspeptin-10 FDA approved?
No. Kisspeptin-10 is not approved by the FDA for any use. It has been used in human physiology research studies, usually small and short-term, to examine how the reproductive axis works. It was not among the peptides reviewed by the FDA's Pharmacy Compounding Advisory Committee in July 2026.
What is the difference between kisspeptin-10 and kisspeptin-54?
Both are cleaved from the same precursor protein and share the same C-terminal ten amino acids, which bind the kisspeptin receptor. Kisspeptin-54 is the full-length form, originally called metastin; kisspeptin-10 is the shortest active fragment. In human studies, kisspeptin-54 has a longer duration of action in circulation, and it has been the form studied in IVF research.
Why is it called kisspeptin?
The KISS1 gene was discovered at the Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine in Hershey, Pennsylvania, a town known for Hershey's Kisses chocolates, and the name is often explained as a reference to that. The gene was first identified for its ability to suppress metastasis in melanoma cells, and its role in reproduction was recognized later.
Related compounds
- Oxytocin
Oxytocin is a nine-amino-acid peptide hormone made in the hypothalamus and released from the posterior pituitary, with a disulfide-bridged ring structure. It regulates uterine contraction and milk ejection, and synthetic oxytocin (Pitocin) is FDA-approved.
- PT-141 (bremelanotide)
PT-141, or bremelanotide, is a cyclic heptapeptide melanocortin receptor agonist derived from melanotan II. It was FDA-approved in 2019 as Vyleesi for hypoactive sexual desire disorder in premenopausal women.
- Melanotan II
Melanotan II is a synthetic cyclic heptapeptide analogue of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone that activates several melanocortin receptors. It is not approved as a medicine anywhere, and regulators have warned about unlicensed tanning products.
References
- PubMed: all indexed literature on Kisspeptin-10
- ClinicalTrials.gov: registered studies mentioning Kisspeptin-10
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