Npvf, encoding the neuropeptide VF (NPVF, VPNLPQRF-NH2), has diverse essential functions. It is involved in regulating skeletal homeostasis, nociception, sleep, and food intake. In the bone, it enhances angiogenesis and osteogenesis through activating NPFFR1 in endothelial cells and the Wnt/β -catenin signaling pathway in bone mesenchymal stem cells [1]. In the context of nociception, it modulates ventral raphe activity [2]. In zebrafish, it promotes sleep via the serotonergic raphe nuclei [3,4], and in neonatal broiler chickens, it affects feeding behavior through interactions with the serotoninergic, GABAergic, and cholecystokinin systems [5].

In the studies, no KO/CKO mouse models were explicitly mentioned in the provided abstracts. However, in zebrafish, genetic labeling and calcium imaging were used to study the role of npvf -expressing neurons in sleep regulation. It was found that npvf -expressing neurons innervate and can activate serotonergic RN neurons, and that chemogenetic or optogenetic stimulation of these neurons induces sleep in a manner that requires NPVF and serotonin in the RN [3]. Also, in rats, NPVF -fused amyloid -protein coatings were used to treat bone defects, showing enhanced angiogenesis and bone in -growth [1].

In conclusion, Npvf plays crucial roles in multiple biological processes such as bone regeneration, nociception, sleep regulation, and feeding behavior. Although no KO/CKO mouse models were detailed, research in zebrafish and rats has provided insights into its functions. Understanding Npvf may offer new perspectives for treating related diseases like bone repair and sleep disorders.

References:

1. Yu, Hongping, Wang, Yanyi, Gao, Junjie, Zhong, Chao, Chen, Yixuan. 2023. Application of the neuropeptide NPVF to enhance angiogenesis and osteogenesis in bone regeneration. In Communications biology, 6, 197. doi:10.1038/s42003-023-04567-x. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36804475/

2. Madelaine, Romain, Lovett-Barron, Matthew, Halluin, Caroline, Burns, Vanessa M, Mourrain, Philippe. 2017. The hypothalamic NPVF circuit modulates ventral raphe activity during nociception. In Scientific reports, 7, 41528. doi:10.1038/srep41528. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28139691/

3. Lee, Daniel A, Oikonomou, Grigorios, Cammidge, Tasha, Hurley, Hannah, Prober, David A. 2020. Neuropeptide VF neurons promote sleep via the serotonergic raphe. In eLife, 9, . doi:10.7554/eLife.54491. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33337320/

4. Lee, Daniel A, Andreev, Andrey, Truong, Thai V, Fraser, Scott E, Prober, David A. 2017. Genetic and neuronal regulation of sleep by neuropeptide VF. In eLife, 6, . doi:10.7554/eLife.25727. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29106375/

5. Vosoughi, Anahita, Zendehdel, Morteza, Hassanpour, Shahin. 2023. Central effects of the serotoninergic, GABAergic, and cholecystokinin systems on neuropeptide VF (NPVF)-induced hypophagia and feeding behavior in neonatal broiler chicken. In Neuroscience letters, 818, 137557. doi:10.1016/j.neulet.2023.137557. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37972685/