Agouti-related protein; 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.

Copper-transporting ATPase 1; May supply copper to copper-requiring proteins within the secretory pathway, when localized in the trans-Golgi network. Under conditions of elevated extracellular copper, it relocalized to the plasma membrane where it functions in the efflux of copper from cells; Belongs to the cation transport ATPase (P-type) (TC 3.A.3) family. Type IB subfamily.

Growth hormone secretagogue receptor type 1; Receptor for ghrelin, coupled to G-alpha-11 proteins. Stimulates growth hormone secretion. Binds also other growth hormone releasing peptides (GHRP) (e.g. Met-enkephalin and GHRP-6) as well as non-peptide, low molecular weight secretagogues (e.g. L-692,429, MK- 0677, adenosine).

Cathepsin Z; Exhibits carboxy-monopeptidase as well as carboxy-dipeptidase activity. Capable of producing kinin potentiating peptides (By similarity); Belongs to the peptidase C1 family.

Appetite-regulating hormone; Ghrelin is the ligand for growth hormone secretagogue receptor type 1 (GHSR). Induces the release of growth hormone from the pituitary. Has an appetite-stimulating effect, induces adiposity and stimulates gastric acid secretion. Involved in growth regulation.

Melanocortin-2 receptor accessory protein 2; Modulator of melanocortin receptor 4 (MC4R), a receptor involved in energy homeostasis. Plays a central role in the control of energy homeostasis and body weight regulation by increasing ligand- sensitivity of MC4R and MC4R-mediated generation of cAMP (By similarity). May also act as a negative regulator of MC2R: competes with MRAP for binding to MC2R and impairs the binding of corticotropin (ACTH) to MC2R. May also regulate activity of other melanocortin receptors (MC1R, MC3R and MC5R); however, additional evidence is required in vivo.

C-flanking peptide of NPY; NPY is implicated in the control of feeding and in secretion of gonadotrophin-release hormone; Belongs to the NPY family.

Leptin; Key player in the regulation of energy balance and body weight control. Once released into the circulation, has central and peripheral effects by binding LEPR, found in many tissues, which results in the activation of several major signaling pathways. In the hypothalamus, acts as an appetite-regulating factor that induces a decrease in food intake and an increase in energy consumption by inducing anorexinogenic factors and suppressing orexigenic neuropeptides, also regulates bone mass and secretion of hypothalamo- pituitary-adrenal hormones. In the periphery, increases basal me [...]

Agouti-signaling protein; Involved in the regulation of melanogenesis. The binding of ASP to MC1R precludes alpha-MSH initiated signaling and thus blocks production of cAMP, leading to a down-regulation of eumelanogenesis (brown/black pigment) and thus increasing synthesis of pheomelanin (yellow/red pigment). In higher primates, agouti may affect the quality of hair pigmentation rather than its pattern of deposition. Could well play a role in neuroendocrine aspects of melanocortin action. May have some functional role in regulating the lipid metabolism with adipocytes.