VGF or VGF nerve growth factor inducible is a protein and neuropeptide that may play a

role in regulating energy homeostasis, metabolism[1] and synaptic plasticity.[2] The protein
was first discovered in 1985 by Levi et al.[3] 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.[4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11] 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.[12] VGF expression is
induced by NGF, CREB and BDNF and regulated by neurotrophin-3.[13][14] Physical exercise
significantly increases VGF expression in mice hippocampal tissue and upregulates a
neurotrophic signaling cascade thought to underlie the action of antidepressants.[15][16][17][18]

Role in pathology
Changes in expression of discrete VGF fragments have been detected in different
neurological and psychiatric conditions. In schizophrenia, one study has shown an increase in
the VGF23-62 peptide[19] 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[20] and the
expression of a fragment containing aminoacids 378-398 was found to be changing in
amyotrophic lateral sclerosis[21] and Alzheimer's disease.[22] VGF expression has also been
shown in damaged peripheral nerves, and it is thought to have a role in neuropathic pain.[23]