Researchers found that kisspeptin-10, a small protein, is made by fat cells and can slow down their growth, push them to break down fat, and change how they handle sugar. In lab tests on mouse cells and rat fat tissue, it reduced the signals that make new fat cells, increased enzymes that burn fat, and altered hormone release, but these results are only in cells, not people.

Kisspeptin, which is encoded by the KISS1 gene and acts via GPR54, plays a role in the regulation of reproductive functions. Expression of KISS1 and GRPR54 has been found in peripheral tissues, including adipose tissue, and was shown to be influenced by metabolic status. We hypothesized that kisspeptin could be involved in regulation of lipid metabolism in the mouse 3T3-L1 cell line and in isolated rat adipocytes. First, we characterized expression profiles of KISS1 and GPR54 mRNA and proteins in adipose cells isolated from male rats. Secondly, we studied the effects of kisspeptin-10 on cell proliferation and survival in 3T3-L1 cells. Thirdly, we assessed the rapid action of kisspeptin-10 on lipid metabolism and glucose uptake using 3T3-L1 cells and rat primary adipocytes. Finally, we examined the effects of kisspeptin-10 on the secretion of leptin and adiponectin in rat adipocytes. We have found that: (1) KISS1 and GPR54 were expressed in mouse 3T3-L1 cells and isolated rat adipocytes; (2) kisspeptin-10: (i) inhibited cell proliferation, viability and adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 and decreased expression of PPAR-γ and CEBPβ-genes, which are involved in the differentiation processes and adipogenesis; (ii) increased lipolysis in 3T3-L1 cells and rat adipocytes by enhancing expression of periliphin and hormone-sensitive lipase; (iii) modulated glucose uptake and lipogenesis; (iv) stimulated leptin and decreased adiponectin secretion from rat adipocytes. Kisspeptin-10 could play a role in the regulation of lipid metabolism in mouse 3T3-L1 cells and rat adipocytes.