The Teen Gene Switching on Puberty

We have found the exact process which allows the onset of puberty involves neuropeptides called kisspeptin fitting into a receptor on the surface of the cells in the hypothalamus. This process causes teh dramatic changed you see in the body. Scientists believe this delay has evolved to give youngsters a chance to learn and assimilate cultural values without being distracted by sexual urges. Puberty may also give the body a chance to store enough energy to support reproduction later in life.
Kisspeptin was discovered by accident. It all began with mice which wouldn't grow up. The mice lacks the gene GPR54 (G protein-coupled receptor gene). The scientists who were working with the mice first discovered this when they were trying to determine the sex of the mice, they couldn't find the genitals. It was determined that without GPR54, you are unable to sexually mature.
About 98% of all teenagers go through puberty, but there are a few unlucky people who never do. This condition is called Idiopathic Hypogonadotropic Hypogonadism (IHH) and can be caused by several things. For example, sometimes certain neurons do not migrate to the proper positions when they were babies or some hormones like leptin do not communicate with energy stores.
A team at the University of Cordoba in Spain had been exploring the interplay between leptin and kisspeptin. They altered the food intake of female rats and found that their sexual maturation was delayed. When underfed rats were given kisspeptin, they went through sexual maturation on time. This allows future treatments for people who have defective genes. It will be able to help women who have stopped having normal menstrual cycles due to too much exercise. They can also develop a drug for blocking the onset of puberty in younger children or helping to bring on puberty. Children who go through puberty at an early age have a higher risk of breast, womb and prostate cancer. When these tumours develop they are then nurtured by the sex hormones oestrogen and testosterone. If we could turn off the production of these hormones, the tumours should shrivel and die. Such research will take approximately decades to complete, including successful clinical trials. However, if this were to be achieved, such progress will not only be seen as a significant advancement in developing cancer-inhibiting drugs, but also a breakthrough in controlling puberty.
Is it ethical to delay puberty or speed it up? Will administrering this drug take away part of every person's uniqueness? Is the society we live in today willing to sacrifice uniqueness for the increase in ease of living for teenagers in future generations?S Such issues will be the topic of numerous heated debates and it is impossible to predict whether such a product will ever be available on the market. Nevertheless, credit must be given to the scientists who have found this gene and determined its fuction. Even if such a product will never exist, this information is a piece of knowledge that will inspire many others to continue to search for a gene with such an exclusive function, in which the possibilites for potential products are endless.

By Lani 41769980
Article: http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg19125611.400-the-teen-gene-switching-on-puberty.htm