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College Churchill College
Department
  • Physiology, Development and Neuroscience
    • School
  • Biological Sciences
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    Research Theme Neurons, Circuits and Networks Lifelong Brain Development and Brain Ageing Beyond the Neuron
    Research Focus

    Keywords

  • Fertility
  • Neuroendocrinology
  • Puberty
  • Reproduction

    • Clinical Conditions

  • Hormonal disorders

    • Equipment & Techniques

  • Cell culture
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Fluorescence microscopy
  • Confocal microscopy

    • Science Culture

  • Equality, Diversity, Inclusion and Wellbeing
  • Open Access
  • Mentorship
  • Reproducibility in Science
  • Science Communication
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    Professor William Colledge

    (he/him/his)
    University Position
    Professor

    Interests

    My research group is interested in the neuroendocrine regulation of mammalian fertility using transgenic mice as a model system. Puberty and the regulation of mammalian fertility is controlled by hormonal signalling within the hypothalamus. My research is focussed on the G-protein coupled receptor, GPR54, and the ligands for this receptor (kisspeptides encoded by the Kiss-1 gene) which regulate the hypothalamic stimulation of the pituitary gonadal axis. Mutations in these molecules cause infertility in humans and mice. We are studying the way in which these proteins are regulated in the hypothalamus and how they are influenced by peripheral hormonal signals and other neuropeptides.

    Collaborators

    Cambridge
  • Allan Herbison
  • Susan Jones
    • External
  • Massimo Baltramo
  • Erik Hrabovszky

    • Key Publications

    Kisspeptin signaling in astrocytes modulates the reproductive axis.

    DOI: http://doi.org/10.1172/JCI172908
    Journal: J Clin Invest
    E-pub date: 11 Jun 2024
    Authors: E Torres, G Pellegrino, M Granados-Rodríguez, AC Fuentes-Fayos, I Velasco, A Coutteau-Robles, A Legrand, M Shanabrough, C Perdices-Lopez, S Leon, SH Yeo, SM Manchishi, MJ Sánchez-Tapia, VM Navarro, R Pineda, J Roa, F Naftolin, J Argente, RM Luque, JA Chowen, TL Horvath, V Prevot, A Sharif, WH Colledge, M Tena-Sempere, A Romero-Ruiz

    Transcriptional profiling of Kiss1 neurons from arcuate and rostral periventricular hypothalamic regions in female mice

    DOI: http://doi.org/10.1530/REP-23-0342
    Journal: Reproduction
    E-pub date: 1 Jan 2024
    Authors: S Manchishi, M Prater, WH Colledge

    Transcriptome profiling of kisspeptin neurons from the mouse arcuate nucleus reveals new mechanisms in estrogenic control of fertility.

    DOI: http://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2113749119
    Journal: Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A
    E-pub date: 5 Jul 2022
    Authors: B Göcz, É Rumpler, M Sárvári, K Skrapits, S Takács, I Farkas, V Csillag, SH Trinh, Z Bardóczi, Y Ruska, N Solymosi, S Póliska, Z Szőke, L Bartoloni, Y Zouaghi, A Messina, N Pitteloud, RC Anderson, RP Millar, R Quinton, SM Manchishi, WH Colledge, E Hrabovszky

    GnRH pulse generator frequency is modulated by kisspeptin and GABA-glutamate interactions in the posterodorsal medial amygdala in female mice

    DOI: http://doi.org/10.1101/2021.11.27.470131
    Journal:
    E-pub date: 27 Nov 2021
    Authors: G Lass, XF Li, E Wall, RA de Burgh, D Ivanova, C McIntyre, XH Lin, WH Colledge, SL Lightman, KT O’Byrne

    Optogenetic stimulation of kisspeptin neurones within the posterodorsal medial amygdala increases luteinising hormone pulse frequency in female mice.

    DOI: http://doi.org/10.1111/jne.12823
    Journal: J Neuroendocrinol
    E-pub date: 1 Feb 2020
    Authors: G Lass, XF Li, RA de Burgh, W He, Y Kang, S Hwa-Yeo, LC Sinnett-Smith, SM Manchishi, WH Colledge, SL Lightman, KT O'Byrne

    Optogenetic stimulation of kisspeptin neurones within the posterodorsal medial amygdala increases LH pulse frequency in female mice

    DOI: http://doi.org/10.1101/497164
    Journal:
    E-pub date: 17 Dec 2018
    Authors: G Lass, X Li, R de Burgh, W He, Y Kuang, S-H Yeo, L Sinnett-Smith, WH Colledge, M Grubb, S Lightman, K O'Byrne

    Dax1 controls female fertility as a hypothalamic rheostat of estrogen receptor-alpha

    DOI: http://doi.org/10.1530/endoabs.59.p198
    Journal: Endocrine Abstracts
    E-pub date: 2 Nov 2018
    Authors: FI Fernandes, S Manchishi, W Colledge, W Dhillo, B Owen

    Female sexual behavior in mice is controlled by kisspeptin neurons

    DOI: http://doi.org/10.1530/ey.15.1.1
    Journal: Yearbook of Paediatric Endocrinology
    E-pub date: 11 Sep 2018
    Authors: H V, B O, C M, D E, A M, M C, P R, H A, C WH, P V, B U, B J

    Kv4.2 channel activity controls intrinsic firing dynamics of arcuate kisspeptin neurons.

    DOI: http://doi.org/10.1113/JP274474
    Journal: J Physiol
    E-pub date: 1 Mar 2018
    Authors: PRF Mendonça, V Kyle, S-H Yeo, WH Colledge, HPC Robinson

    Female sexual behavior in mice is controlled by kisspeptin neurons.

    DOI: http://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-017-02797-2
    Journal: Nat Commun
    E-pub date: 26 Jan 2018
    Authors: V Hellier, O Brock, M Candlish, E Desroziers, M Aoki, C Mayer, R Piet, A Herbison, WH Colledge, V Prévot, U Boehm, J Bakker

    Definition of the hypothalamic GnRH pulse generator in mice.

    DOI: http://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1713897114
    Journal: Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A
    E-pub date: 21 Nov 2017
    Authors: J Clarkson, SY Han, R Piet, T McLennan, GM Kane, J Ng, RW Porteous, JS Kim, WH Colledge, KJ Iremonger, AE Herbison

    Kiss1 mutant placentas show normal structure and function in the mouse.

    DOI: http://doi.org/10.1016/j.placenta.2014.10.016
    Journal: Placenta
    E-pub date: 1 Jan 2015
    Authors: AM Herreboudt, VRL Kyle, J Lawrence, J Doran, WH Colledge

    Leptin-dependent neuronal NO signaling in the preoptic hypothalamus facilitates reproduction.

    DOI: http://doi.org/10.1172/JCI65928
    Journal: J Clin Invest
    E-pub date: 1 Jun 2014
    Authors: N Bellefontaine, K Chachlaki, J Parkash, C Vanacker, W Colledge, X d'Anglemont de Tassigny, J Garthwaite, SG Bouret, V Prevot

    The neuroendocrine regulation of the mammalian reproductive axis. Introduction.

    DOI: http://doi.org/10.1113/expphysiol.2013.071902
    Journal: Exp Physiol
    E-pub date: 1 Nov 2013
    Authors: WH Colledge

    Kisspeptin signaling is required for peripheral but not central stimulation of gonadotropin-releasing hormone neurons by NMDA.

    DOI: http://doi.org/10.1523/JNEUROSCI.5486-09.2010
    Journal: J Neurosci
    E-pub date: 23 Jun 2010
    Authors: X d'Anglemont de Tassigny, KJ Ackroyd, EE Chatzidaki, WH Colledge

    Distribution and postnatal development of Gpr54 gene expression in mouse brain and gonadotropin-releasing hormone neurons.

    DOI: http://doi.org/10.1210/en.2009-0552
    Journal: Endocrinology
    E-pub date: 1 Jan 2010
    Authors: AE Herbison, XD de Tassigny, J Doran, WH Colledge

    Distribution of kisspeptin neurones in the adult female mouse brain.

    DOI: http://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2826.2009.01892.x
    Journal: J Neuroendocrinol
    E-pub date: 31 Aug 2009
    Authors: J Clarkson, X d'Anglemont de Tassigny, WH Colledge, A Caraty, AE Herbison

    Transgenic mouse models to study Gpr54/kisspeptin physiology.

    DOI: http://doi.org/10.1016/j.peptides.2008.05.006
    Journal: Peptides
    E-pub date: 1 Jan 2009
    Authors: WH Colledge

    Kisspeptin can stimulate gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) release by a direct action at GnRH nerve terminals.

    DOI: http://doi.org/10.1210/en.2007-1487
    Journal: Endocrinology
    E-pub date: 31 Aug 2008
    Authors: X d'Anglemont de Tassigny, LA Fagg, MBL Carlton, WH Colledge

    Kisspeptin-GPR54 signaling is essential for preovulatory gonadotropin-releasing hormone neuron activation and the luteinizing hormone surge.

    DOI: http://doi.org/10.1523/JNEUROSCI.1775-08.2008
    Journal: J Neurosci
    E-pub date: 27 Aug 2008
    Authors: J Clarkson, X d'Anglemont de Tassigny, AS Moreno, WH Colledge, AE Herbison

    Hypogonadotropic hypogonadism in mice lacking a functional Kiss1 gene.

    DOI: http://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.0704114104
    Journal: Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A
    E-pub date: 19 Jun 2007
    Authors: X d'Anglemont de Tassigny, LA Fagg, JPC Dixon, K Day, HG Leitch, AG Hendrick, D Zahn, I Franceschini, A Caraty, MBL Carlton, SAJR Aparicio, WH Colledge

    Kisspeptin directly stimulates gonadotropin-releasing hormone release via G protein-coupled receptor 54.

    DOI: http://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.0409330102
    Journal: Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A
    E-pub date: 1 Feb 2005
    Authors: S Messager, EE Chatzidaki, D Ma, AG Hendrick, D Zahn, J Dixon, RR Thresher, I Malinge, D Lomet, MBL Carlton, WH Colledge, A Caraty, SAJR Aparicio

    The GPR54 Gene as a Regulator of Puberty

    DOI: http://doi.org/10.1097/00006254-200405000-00020
    Journal: Obstetrical & Gynecological Survey
    E-pub date: 1 May 2004
    Authors: SB Seminara, S Messager, EE Chatzidaki, RR Thresher, JS Acierno, JK Shagoury, Y Bo-Abbas, W Kuohung, KM Schwinof, AG Hendrick, D Zahn, J Dixon, UB Kaiser, SA Slaugenhaupt, JF Gusella, S O’Rahilly, MBL Carlton, WF Crowley, SAJR Aparicio, WH Colledge

    Publications

    Dax1 modulates ERα-dependent hypothalamic estrogen sensing in female mice.

    DOI: http://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-023-38618-y
    Journal: Nat Commun
    E-pub date: 29 May 2023
    Authors: JM Ramos-Pittol, I Fernandes-Freitas, A Milona, SM Manchishi, K Rainbow, BYH Lam, JA Tadross, A Beucher, WH Colledge, I Cebola, KG Murphy, I Miguel-Aliaga, GSH Yeo, WS Dhillo, BM Owen

    Sexually Dimorphic Neurosteroid Synthesis Regulates Neuronal Activity in the Murine Brain.

    DOI: http://doi.org/10.1523/JNEUROSCI.0885-21.2021
    Journal: J Neurosci
    E-pub date: 3 Nov 2021
    Authors: P Wartenberg, I Farkas, V Csillag, WH Colledge, E Hrabovszky, U Boehm

    Mapping neuronal inputs to Kiss1 neurons in the arcuate nucleus of the mouse.

    DOI: http://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0213927
    Journal: PLoS One
    E-pub date: 1 Aug 2019
    Authors: S-H Yeo, V Kyle, C Blouet, S Jones, WH Colledge

    Sex- and sub region-dependent modulation of arcuate kisspeptin neurones by vasopressin and vasoactive intestinal peptide.

    DOI: http://doi.org/10.1111/jne.12660
    Journal: J Neuroendocrinol
    E-pub date: 1 Dec 2018
    Authors: D Schafer, G Kane, WH Colledge, R Piet, AE Herbison

    The Role of Kiss1 Neurons As Integrators of Endocrine, Metabolic, and Environmental Factors in the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Gonadal Axis.

    DOI: http://doi.org/10.3389/fendo.2018.00188
    Journal: Front Endocrinol (Lausanne)
    E-pub date: 1 Aug 2018
    Authors: S-H Yeo, WH Colledge

    Kisspeptin neurones in the posterodorsal medial amygdala modulate sexual partner preference and anxiety in male mice.

    DOI: http://doi.org/10.1111/jne.12572
    Journal: J Neuroendocrinol
    E-pub date: 1 Mar 2018
    Authors: DA Adekunbi, XF Li, G Lass, K Shetty, OA Adegoke, SH Yeo, WH Colledge, SL Lightman, KT O'Byrne

    Kisspeptin in the posterodorsal medial amygdala modulates sexual partner preference and anxiety in male mice

    DOI: http://doi.org/10.1530/endoabs.50.p263
    Journal: Endocrine Abstracts
    E-pub date: 20 Oct 2017
    Authors: D Adekunbi, X LI, G Lass, O Adegoke, S Yeo, W Colledge, S Lightman, K O'Byrne

    Mechanistic insights into the more potent effect of KP-54 compared to KP-10 in vivo.

    DOI: http://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0176821
    Journal: PLoS One
    E-pub date: 1 Aug 2017
    Authors: X d'Anglemont de Tassigny, CN Jayasena, KG Murphy, WS Dhillo, WH Colledge

    Visualisation of Kiss1 Neurone Distribution Using a Kiss1-CRE Transgenic Mouse.

    DOI: http://doi.org/10.1111/jne.12435
    Journal: J Neuroendocrinol
    E-pub date: 1 Nov 2016
    Authors: S-H Yeo, V Kyle, PG Morris, S Jackman, LC Sinnett-Smith, M Schacker, C Chen, WH Colledge

    Model systems for studying kisspeptin signalling: mice and cells.

    DOI: http://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-6199-9_22
    Journal: Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology
    E-pub date: 1 Jan 2013
    Authors: WH Colledge, J Doran, H Mei

    Kisspeptin-GPR54 signaling in mouse NO-synthesizing neurons participates in the hypothalamic control of ovulation.

    DOI: http://doi.org/10.1523/JNEUROSCI.4765-11.2012
    Journal: J Neurosci
    E-pub date: 18 Jan 2012
    Authors: NK Hanchate, J Parkash, N Bellefontaine, D Mazur, WH Colledge, X d'Anglemont de Tassigny, V Prevot

    Kisspeptin neurons co-express met-enkephalin and galanin in the rostral periventricular region of the female mouse hypothalamus.

    DOI: http://doi.org/10.1002/cne.22716
    Journal: Journal of Comparative Neurology
    E-pub date: 1 Dec 2011
    Authors: R Porteous, SL Petersen, SH Yeo, JP Bhattarai, P Ciofi, XD de Tassigny, WH Colledge, A Caraty, AE Herbison

    Hyperalgesic activity of kisspeptin in mice.

    DOI: http://doi.org/10.1186/1744-8069-7-90
    Journal: Mol Pain
    E-pub date: 23 Nov 2011
    Authors: S Spampinato, A Trabucco, A Biasiotta, F Biagioni, G Cruccu, A Copani, WH Colledge, MA Sortino, F Nicoletti, S Chiechio

    Gpr54-/- mice show more pronounced defects in spermatogenesis than Kiss1-/- mice and improved spermatogenesis with age when exposed to dietary phytoestrogens.

    DOI: http://doi.org/10.1530/REP-10-0432
    Journal: Reproduction
    E-pub date: 1 Mar 2011
    Authors: H Mei, C Walters, R Carter, WH Colledge

    Frequency-dependent recruitment of fast amino acid and slow neuropeptide neurotransmitter release controls gonadotropin-releasing hormone neuron excitability.

    DOI: http://doi.org/10.1523/JNEUROSCI.5759-10.2011
    Journal: J Neurosci
    E-pub date: 16 Feb 2011
    Authors: X Liu, R Porteous, X d'Anglemont de Tassigny, WH Colledge, R Millar, SL Petersen, AE Herbison

    Kisspeptin Signaling in Rodents: Insights from Knock-Out Mice.William H. Colledge, Ph.D.

    DOI: http://doi.org/10.1093/biolreprod/81.s1.126
    Journal: Biology of Reproduction
    E-pub date: 1 Jul 2009
    Authors: WH Colledge, X d'Anglemont de Tassigny

    Kisspeptins and GnRH neuronal signalling.

    DOI: http://doi.org/10.1016/j.tem.2008.10.005
    Journal: Trends Endocrinol Metab
    E-pub date: 1 Apr 2009
    Authors: WH Colledge

    GPR54 and puberty.

    DOI: http://doi.org/10.1016/j.tem.2004.09.008
    Journal: Trends Endocrinol Metab
    E-pub date: 1 Nov 2004
    Authors: WH Colledge

    The GPR54 gene as a regulator of puberty.

    DOI: http://doi.org/10.1056/NEJMoa035322
    Journal: N Engl J Med
    E-pub date: 23 Oct 2003
    Authors: SB Seminara, S Messager, EE Chatzidaki, RR Thresher, JS Acierno, JK Shagoury, Y Bo-Abbas, W Kuohung, KM Schwinof, AG Hendrick, D Zahn, J Dixon, UB Kaiser, SA Slaugenhaupt, JF Gusella, S O'Rahilly, MBL Carlton, WF Crowley, SAJR Aparicio, WH Colledge