Estradiol elicits distinct firing patterns in arcuate nucleus kisspeptin neurons of females through altering ion channel conductances

Hypothalamic kisspeptin (Kiss1) neurons are vital for pubertal development and reproduction. Arcuate nucleus Kiss1 (Kiss1 ^ARH ) neurons are responsible for the pulsatile release of Gonadotropin-releasing Hormone (GnRH). In females, the behavior of Kiss1 ^ARH neurons, expressing Kiss1, Neurokinin B (NKB), and Dynorphin (Dyn), varies throughout the ovarian cycle. Studies indicate that 17β-estradiol (E2) reduces peptide expression but increases Vglut2 mRNA and glutamate neurotransmission in these neurons, suggesting a shift from peptidergic to glutamatergic signaling. To investigate this shift, we combined transcriptomics, electrophysiology, and mathematical modeling. Our results demonstrate that E2 treatment upregulates the mRNA expression of voltage-activated calcium channels, elevating the whole-cell calcium current and contributing to high-frequency firing. Additionally, E2 treatment decreased the mRNA levels of Canonical Transient Receptor Potential (TPRC) 5 and G protein-coupled K ⁺ (GIRK) channels. When TRPC5 channels in Kiss1 ^ARH neurons were deleted using CRISPR, the slow excitatory postsynaptic potential (sEPSP) was eliminated. Mathematical modeling confirmed the importance of TRPC5 channels for initiating and sustaining synchronous firing, while GIRK channels, activated by Dyn binding to kappa opioid receptors, were responsible for repolarization. Our findings suggest that E2 modifies ionic conductance in Kiss1 ^ARH neurons, enabling the transition from high frequency synchronous firing through NKB-driven activation of TRPC5 channels to a short bursting mode facilitating glutamate release. In a low E2 milieu, synchronous firing of Kiss1 ^ARH neurons drives pulsatile release of GnRH, while the transition to burst firing with high, preovulatory levels of E2 facilitates the GnRH surge through its glutamatergic synaptic connection to preoptic Kiss1 neurons.