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）神经元包括分散在大脑下丘脑中的一小群细胞，并且在哺乳动物的生殖中具有重要作用。在发育过程中，GnRH神经元在鼻腔中出生，并与嗅觉神经一起迁移到大脑中。人类这些神经元迁移的缺陷会导致不育。这是卡尔曼综合征的情况，其中GnRH神经元的迁移和嗅觉轴突的生长被阻止，引起低促性腺激素性性腺功能减退和嗅觉丧失。我们建议在这里多学科的实验，目的是阐明一些分子机制，引导GnRH神经元通过其迁移之旅。我们还将寻找参与GnRH神经元起源、迁移和分化的新基因。对这些神经内分泌细胞发育的分子机制的研究将增强我们对人类孤立性低促性腺激素性性腺功能减退症病因的理解。

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.