Proceedings - Boulder Peptide Foundation

BPS 2025

A Kiss to Remember

Stephanie Seminara

Chief, Reproductive Endocrine Unit, Mass General Brigham

ABSTRACT

KISS1 encodes a 145 amino acid peptide that is processed into various C-terminal fragments, all of which bind and activate its G protein coupled receptor KISS1R (formerly known as GPR54). KISS1R signaling has a fundamental role in the physiology of the reproductive axis and is required for pulsatile secretion of gonadotropin hormone releasing hormone (GnRH) as well as luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) at puberty. The kisspeptin system is also present in organs outside the reproductive tract including the liver and bone. This presentation will review the discovery of the kisspeptin signaling system, its C terminal fragments, as well as diagnostic and therapeutic applications.

BIO

Stephanie Seminara, MD is a reproductive endocrinologist and translational investigator at Mass General Brigham, Director of the MGH Harvard Center for Reproductive Medicine and Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School.

Dr. Seminara received her BA from Harvard College in 1987 and her MD from Harvard Medical School in 1991. She completed her internship and residency in Internal Medicine as well as fellowship in Endocrinology, all at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH). During her fellowship, Dr. Seminara received training in genetics and clinical investigation in the Reproductive Endocrine Unit (REU). In 1997, Dr. Seminara joined the faculty of the REU and in 2017, became its Chief.

With expertise in endocrine physiology, human genetics and clinical investigation, Dr. Seminara has built a broad, multi-disciplinary research program utilizes to elucidate the neuroendocrine control of human puberty and fertility throughout reproductive life. Her career goal is to advance genetic discoveries to novel diagnostic tools and targeted therapeutics to reduce the suffering caused by reproductive disease. Of her many contributions, Dr. Seminara is best known for discovering brain hormones (i.e. kisspeptin) that act as ‘gas pedals’ and ‘brakes’ for puberty and fertility.

Dr. Seminara has published over 145 articles and has mentored >50 pre/post-doctoral fellows (majority women). Her research program has been independently funded for 25 years with a portfolio notable for its diversity and longitudinal nature. She received the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers, the highest honor bestowed by the U.S. government on outstanding scientists and engineers at the beginning of their careers. In 2023, Dr. Seminara co-founded SeNa Therapeutics.

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