Neurokinin B

Neurokinin B is a tachykinin peptide.

It is found in higher concentration in pregnant women suffering pre-eclampsia and can bind the immune-cloaking molecule phosphocholine.

In December 2008, it was discovered that the hormone Neurokinin B and its receptor, neurokinin 3 receptor, are critical parts of the control system that switches on the master regulator of human puberty, governed by the brain through the release of the hormone GnRH (gonadotropin releasing hormone) which starts a series of processes that ultimately leads to the production of sex hormones. Although Neurokinin B was previously known to be present in the same hypothalamic neurons as kisspeptin, another important part of the same control system for puberty, its key role was not previously appreciated.