Phoenixin (PNX) is a newly discovered peptide that has been linked to reproductive function, both in the hypothalamus and pituitary. This review will focus on the most recent discoveries related to this novel neuropeptide. Initially, it was found that PNX increased gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH)-stimulated luteinizing hormone (LH) release from pituitary cells. Importantly, knockdown of PNX in female rats extended the estrous cycle by 2.3 days. Using novel hypothalamic cell lines, we found that PNX has a stimulatory role on kisspeptin (Kiss) and GnRH gene expression and secretion. The PNX receptor was uncovered using siRNA knockdown of GPR173, an orphan receptor postulated to bind PNX. We have found that the PNX-R signaling through protein kinase A (PKA) in hypothalamic neurons. Althuogh a number of studies demonstrate that PNX plays an important role in reproductive function, there is also evidence that it may have other functions, regulating the heart, feeding, memory, and anxiety, both in the brain and the periphery.

中文翻译：

---

Phoenixin：揭示其受体、信号传导和功能。


菲尼克斯 (PNX) 是一种新发现的肽，与下丘脑和垂体的生殖功能有关。本综述将重点关注与这种新型神经肽相关的最新发现。最初，人们发现 PNX 会增加垂体细胞中促性腺激素释放激素 (GnRH) 刺激的黄体生成素 (LH) 的释放。重要的是，敲低雌性大鼠的 PNX 可使动情周期延长 2.3 天。使用新型下丘脑细胞系，我们发现 PNX 对 Kisspeptin (Kiss) 和 GnRH 基因表达和分泌具有刺激作用。 PNX 受体是通过 siRNA 敲低 GPR173 发现的，GPR173 是一种被假定与 PNX 结合的孤儿受体。我们发现下丘脑神经元中的 PNX-R 信号传导通过蛋白激酶 A (PKA) 进行。尽管大量研究表明 PNX 在生殖功能中发挥着重要作用，但也有证据表明它可能具有其他功能，在大脑和外周调节心脏、进食、记忆和焦虑。