This gene encodes an antagonist of the melanocortin-3 and melanocortin-4 receptor. It appears to regulate hypothalamic control of feeding behavior via melanocortin receptor and/or intracellular calcium regulation, and thus plays a role in weight homeostasis. Mutations in this gene have been associated with late on-set obesity.
Function:
Plays a role in weight homeostasis. Involved in the control of feeding behavior through the central melanocortin system. Acts as alpha melanocyte-stimulating hormone antagonist by inhibiting cAMP production mediated by stimulation of melanocortin receptors within the hypothalamus and adrenal gland. Has very low activity with MC5R (By similarity). Is an inverse agonist for MC3R and MC4R being able to suppress their constitutive activity. It promotes MC3R and MC4R endocytosis in an arrestin-dependent manner.
Subunit:
Interacts with melanocortin receptors MC3R, MC4R and MC5R.
Subcellular Location:
Secreted. Golgi apparatus lumen.
Tissue Specificity:
Expressed primarily in the adrenal gland, subthalamic nucleus, and hypothalamus, with a lower level of expression occurring in testis, lung, and kidney.
DISEASE:
Genetic variations in AGRP may be a cause of obesity (OBESITY) [MIM:601665]. It is a condition characterized by an increase of body weight beyond the limitation of skeletal and physical requirements, as the result of excessive accumulation of body fat.
Similarity:
Contains 1 agouti domain.
SWISS:
O00253
Gene ID:
181
Database links:
ntrez Gene: 181 Human
Omim: 602311 Human
SwissProt: O00253 Human
Unigene: 104633 Human
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