Gene Editing Reduces Anxiety and Increases Food Intake in Japanese Medaka

Researchers from China investigated the impact of knocking out the Neuropeptide Y receptor Y2 (npy2r) in the behavior and food intake of Japanese rice fish, also known as medaka (Oryzias latipes). Results of the study showed that the absence of npy2r reduced anxiety and increased the food intake of Japanese medaka.

Neuropeptide Y (NPY) is a neurotransmitter responsible for stimulating food intake, energy balance, anxiety, and other physiological processes in the central and peripheral nervous system. Numerous studies have demonstrated the role of npy2r in mammals and mice. However, studies investigating the physiological function of npy2r in fish have not been done before.

With this, the researchers used CRISPR-Cas9 technology to knock out the npy2r gene, resulting in an increased body weight and reduced anxiety-like behavior in Japanese medaka.

For more information, read the journal article from Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology.