Advances in research on the insect neuropeptide F
Author of the article:HUANG Yi-Cun** SHI Min CHEN Xue-Xin***
Author's Workplace：Ministry of Agriculture Key Laboratory of Agricultural Entomology and Institute of Insect Sciences,Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
Key Words：insect, neuropeptide F, receptor, behavior regulation, function
Abstract：The neuropeptide Y (NPY) family acts as neurotransmitters and contributes to a diversity of physiological functions in vertebrates. Neuropeptide F (NPF), the NPY-like ortholog in invertebrates, has been identified in numerous insects and shares some similar functions with NPY. Commonly, NPFs consist of 28-45 residues and have a conserved C-terminal RPRFamide. They play a very important role in feeding, ethanol sensitivity and stress responses, including aggression, reproduction, circadian rhythm, and learning, by interaction with NPFRs, which are a kind of G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR). However, the NFP/NPFR signaling pathway is not well understood. This paper provides an overview of the distribution and functions of NPFs and their receptors in several model insects.