Circulating MKRN3 Levels Decline Prior to Pubertal Onset and Through Puberty: A Longitudinal Study of Healthy Girls

Puberty is initiated by a complex interaction of suppressing and stimulating factors. Genetic studies of familial central precocious puberty have suggested makorin ring finger protein 3 (MKRN3) as a major inhibitor of GnRH secretion during childhood. Furthermore, genetic variation near MKRN3 (rs12148769) affects age at menarche in healthy girls. The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether serum levels of MKRN3 declined before pubertal...