Kisspeptin-10 is the shortest active fragment of the kisspeptins — a family of peptides encoded by the KISS1 gene, all sharing the same C-terminal region, named with the decapeptide as the minimal sequence retaining activity at the KISS1 receptor (GPR54). Few peptides in this catalog have a discovery story as odd or a research profile as serious: the gene was identified in 1996 as a metastasis suppressor (and named, genuinely, after Hershey’s Kisses — the lab was in Hershey, Pennsylvania), and a decade later the same signalling system turned out to sit at the top of the reproductive-endocrinology cascade, making KISS1R one of the most studied GPCRs in that field.
Research background
Kisspeptin research runs on two largely separate tracks. The original track is tumour biology, where KISS1 was characterized as a metastasis-suppressor gene and the peptides as its effectors. The second, now much larger track is neuroendocrinology: loss-of-function mutations in the receptor were linked in 2003 to failure of the reproductive axis, which placed kisspeptin signalling upstream of GnRH neurons and generated an enormous receptor-pharmacology literature. Kisspeptin-10 is the standard probe compound in that literature because it is the minimal fragment with full receptor activity — short enough to synthesize cheaply and study cleanly.
Structure and analytical profile
Kisspeptin-10 is a decapeptide (ten amino acids, human sequence Tyr-Asn-Trp-Asn-Ser-Phe-Gly-Leu-Arg-Phe-NH2) with a C-terminal amide and a molecular weight of approximately 1,302 g/mol. The C-terminal amidation is analytically significant: the free-acid form is a different, less active molecule, and mass spectrometry distinguishes the two. Purity is profiled chromatographically as standard.
Verifying a lot
The usual three checks: lot number on the certificate matches the vial, issuing laboratory named with the original report attached, report verifiable with the laboratory directly. Every Kisspeptin-10 lot we sell publishes its certificate in the certificate archive.
Handling notes
Supplied lyophilized; store cool, dark and dry until laboratory use. Standard research practice reconstitutes with bacteriostatic water. For qualified laboratory settings only.
Frequently asked research questions
Is Kisspeptin-10 the same as kisspeptin? It is the shortest active member of the family. Kisspeptin-54 (metastin) is the longest circulating form; all share the C-terminal decapeptide, which is why the -10 fragment works as the standard research probe.
Why does the C-terminal amide matter? Receptor activity depends on it — the amidated and free-acid forms are analytically and functionally distinct, and a certificate establishing identity by mass resolves which one the vial contains.
What should the certificate show? Identity consistent with ~1,302 g/mol amidated decapeptide, chromatographic purity, lot number, issuing laboratory, report date.
All products discussed are for laboratory research use only and are not for human or veterinary consumption. Nothing here describes or endorses any use in humans or animals.