title: RFamide Peptides in Early Vertebrate Development.
abstract: RFamides (RFa) are neuropeptides involved in many different physiological processes in vertebrates, such as reproductive behavior, pubertal activation of the reproductive endocrine axis, control of feeding behavior, and pain modulation. As research has focused mostly on their role in adult vertebrates, the possible roles of these peptides during development are poorly understood. However, the few studies that exist show that RFa are expressed early in development in different vertebrate classes, perhaps mostly associated with the central nervous system. Interestingly, the related peptide family of FMRFa has been shown to be important for brain development in invertebrates. In a teleost, the Japanese medaka, knockdown of genes in the Kiss system indicates that Kiss ligands and receptors are vital for brain development, but few other functional studies exist. Here, we review the literature of RFa in early vertebrate development, including the possible functional roles these peptides may play.
authors.affiliation: Department of Basic Sciences and Aquatic medicine, Norwegian University of Life Sciences , Oslo , Norway.
authors.forename: Guro Katrine
authors.initials: GK
authors.lastname: Sandvik
authors.affiliation: Institute for Experimental Medical Research, Oslo University Hospital , Oslo , Norway.
authors.forename: Kjetil
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hodne
authors.affiliation: Department of Biosciences, University of Oslo , Oslo , Norway.
authors.forename: Trude Marie
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Haug
authors.affiliation: Department of Aquatic Bioscience, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo , Bunkyo , Japan.
authors.forename: Kataaki
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Okubo
authors.affiliation: Department of Basic Sciences and Aquatic medicine, Norwegian University of Life Sciences , Oslo , Norway.
authors.forename: Finn-Arne
authors.initials: FA
authors.lastname: Weltzien
keywords: 26RFa/QRFP; GnIH; Kiss; NPFF; PrRP; RFa; brain development; early development