VGF
Encyclopedia
VGF or VGF nerve growth factor inducible is a protein and neuropeptide
that may play a role in regulating energy homeostasis, metabolism
and synaptic plasticity
. The protein was first discovered in 1985 by Lewi et al. in an experiment with PC12 cells
and its name is non-acronymic. VGF gene encodes a precursor which is divided by proteolysis
to polypeptides of different mass, which have a variety of functions, the best studied of which is the role of TLQP-21 in the control of appetite and inflammation. The expression of VGF and VGF-derived peptides is detected in a subset of neurons in the central and peripheral nervous systems and specific populations of endocrine cells in the adenohypophysis, adrenal medulla
, gastrointestinal tract, and pancreas
. VGF expression is induced by NGF
, CREB
and BDNF and regulated by neurotrophin-3
. Physical exercise
significantly increases VGF expression in mice hippocampal
tissue and upregulates a neurotrophic signaling cascade thought to underlie the action of antidepressant
s.
, one study has shown an increase in the VGF23-62 peptide and a subsequent small study demonstrated that drugs further increase the expression, pointing at a possible ameliorating action of the fragment. A decreased expression of VGF26-62 peptide was found in frontotemporal dementia
and the expression of a fragment containing aminoacids 378-398 was found to be changing in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
and Alzheimer’s disease. VGF expression has also been shown in damaged peripheral nerves, and it is thought to have a role in neuropathic pain
.
Neuropeptide
Neuropeptides are small protein-like molecules used by neurons to communicate with each other. They are neuronal signaling molecules, influence the activity of the brain in specific ways and are thus involved in particular brain functions, like analgesia, reward, food intake, learning and...
that may play a role in regulating energy homeostasis, metabolism
Metabolism
Metabolism is the set of chemical reactions that happen in the cells of living organisms to sustain life. These processes allow organisms to grow and reproduce, maintain their structures, and respond to their environments. Metabolism is usually divided into two categories...
and synaptic plasticity
Synaptic plasticity
In neuroscience, synaptic plasticity is the ability of the connection, or synapse, between two neurons to change in strength in response to either use or disuse of transmission over synaptic pathways. Plastic change also results from the alteration of the number of receptors located on a synapse...
. The protein was first discovered in 1985 by Lewi et al. in an experiment with PC12 cells
PC12 cells
PC12 is a cell line derived from a pheochromocytoma of the rat adrenal medulla. PC12 cells stop dividing and terminally differentiate when treated with nerve growth factor...
and its name is non-acronymic. VGF gene encodes a precursor which is divided by proteolysis
Proteolysis
Proteolysis is the directed degradation of proteins by cellular enzymes called proteases or by intramolecular digestion.-Purposes:Proteolysis is used by the cell for several purposes...
to polypeptides of different mass, which have a variety of functions, the best studied of which is the role of TLQP-21 in the control of appetite and inflammation. The expression of VGF and VGF-derived peptides is detected in a subset of neurons in the central and peripheral nervous systems and specific populations of endocrine cells in the adenohypophysis, adrenal medulla
Adrenal medulla
The adrenal medulla is part of the adrenal gland. It is located at the center of the gland, being surrounded by the adrenal cortex. It is the innermost part of the adrenal gland, consisting of cells that secrete epinephrine , norepinephrine , and a small amount of dopamine in response to...
, gastrointestinal tract, and pancreas
Pancreas
The pancreas is a gland organ in the digestive and endocrine system of vertebrates. It is both an endocrine gland producing several important hormones, including insulin, glucagon, and somatostatin, as well as a digestive organ, secreting pancreatic juice containing digestive enzymes that assist...
. VGF expression is induced by NGF
Nerve growth factor
Nerve growth factor is a small secreted protein that is important for the growth, maintenance, and survival of certain target neurons . It also functions as a signaling molecule. It is perhaps the prototypical growth factor, in that it is one of the first to be described...
, CREB
CREB
CREB is a cellular transcription factor. It binds to certain DNA sequences called cAMP response elements , thereby increasing or decreasing the transcription of the downstream genes....
and BDNF and regulated by neurotrophin-3
Neurotrophin-3
Neurotrophin-3 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the NTF3 gene.The protein encoded by this gene, NT-3, is a neurotrophic factor in the NGF family of neurotrophins...
. Physical exercise
Physical exercise
Physical exercise is any bodily activity that enhances or maintains physical fitness and overall health and wellness. It is performed for various reasons including strengthening muscles and the cardiovascular system, honing athletic skills, weight loss or maintenance, as well as for the purpose of...
significantly increases VGF expression in mice hippocampal
Hippocampus
The hippocampus is a major component of the brains of humans and other vertebrates. It belongs to the limbic system and plays important roles in the consolidation of information from short-term memory to long-term memory and spatial navigation. Humans and other mammals have two hippocampi, one in...
tissue and upregulates a neurotrophic signaling cascade thought to underlie the action of antidepressant
Antidepressant
An antidepressant is a psychiatric medication used to alleviate mood disorders, such as major depression and dysthymia and anxiety disorders such as social anxiety disorder. According to Gelder, Mayou &*Geddes people with a depressive illness will experience a therapeutic effect to their mood;...
s.
Role in pathology
Changes in expression of discrete VGF fragments have been detected in different neurological and psychiatric conditions. In schizophreniaSchizophrenia
Schizophrenia is a mental disorder characterized by a disintegration of thought processes and of emotional responsiveness. It most commonly manifests itself as auditory hallucinations, paranoid or bizarre delusions, or disorganized speech and thinking, and it is accompanied by significant social...
, one study has shown an increase in the VGF23-62 peptide and a subsequent small study demonstrated that drugs further increase the expression, pointing at a possible ameliorating action of the fragment. A decreased expression of VGF26-62 peptide was found in frontotemporal dementia
Frontotemporal dementia
Frontotemporal dementia is a clinical syndrome caused by degeneration of the frontal lobe of the brain and may extend back to the temporal lobe...
and the expression of a fragment containing aminoacids 378-398 was found to be changing in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis , also referred to as Lou Gehrig's disease, is a form of motor neuron disease caused by the degeneration of upper and lower neurons, located in the ventral horn of the spinal cord and the cortical neurons that provide their efferent input...
and Alzheimer’s disease. VGF expression has also been shown in damaged peripheral nerves, and it is thought to have a role in neuropathic pain
Neuropathic pain
Neuropathic pain results from lesions or diseases affecting the somatosensory system. It may be associated with abnormal sensations called dysesthesia, which occur spontaneously and allodynia that occurs in response to external stimuli. Neuropathic pain may have continuous and/or episodic ...
.