Gonadotropin-releasing hormone secreting neurons: identification of new molecules involved in their development and disease

促性腺激素释放激素(GnRH)神经元由散布在大脑下丘脑的一小群细胞组成，在哺乳动物的生殖过程中发挥着重要作用。在发育过程中，促性腺激素释放激素神经元在鼻腔出生，并与嗅神经一起迁移到大脑中。这些神经元在人类体内迁移的缺陷会导致不孕。这就是Kallmann综合征的情况，GnRH神经元的迁移和嗅轴突的生长被阻止，导致性腺激素减退和嗅觉障碍。我们建议进行多学科实验，以阐明引导GnRH神经元迁移的一些分子机制。我们还将寻找与GnRH神经元的起源、迁移和分化有关的新基因。研究这些神经内分泌细胞发育的分子机制将加深我们对人类单纯性低促性腺激素减退的病因的理解。

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) neurons comprise a small group of cells scattered in the hypothalamus of the brain and have an important role in reproduction in mammals. During development, GnRH neurons are born in the nasal cavity and migrate into the brain in association with olfactory nerves. Defects in the migration of these neurons in humans result in infertility. This is the case in Kallmann's Syndrome, where migration of GnRH neurons and growth of olfactory axons are arrested, causing hypogonadotropic hypogonadism and anosmia. We propose here multidisciplinary experiments with the aim to elucidate some of the molecular mechanisms that guide GnRH neurons through their migratory journey. We shall also search for new genes involved in the origin, migration and differentiation of GnRH neurons. Studies of the molecular mechanisms involved in the development of these neuroendocrine cells will enhance our understanding of the aetiologies of isolated hypogonadotropic hypogonadisms in humans.