Recombinant Human Agouti-signaling protein (ASIP), Truncated

Uniprot Id

P42127

Target Species

Human

Target Name

ASIP

Target Full Name

Agouti-signaling protein

Target Function

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.

Target Subcellular Location

Secreted.

Target Tissue Specificity

Expressed in adipose tissue, testis, ovary and heart and at lower levels in liver, kidney and foreskin.

Target Research Area

Neuroscience

Target Synonyms

ASIP; AGTI; AGTIL; ASP; Agouti-signaling protein; ASP; Agouti switch protein

Target Background

In mice, the agouti gene encodes a paracrine signaling molecule that causes hair follicle melanocytes to synthesize pheomelanin, a yellow pigment, instead of the black or brown pigment, eumelanin. Pleiotropic effects of constitutive expression of the mouse gene include adult-onset obesity, increased tumor susceptibility, and premature infertility. This gene is highly similar to the mouse gene and encodes a secreted protein that may (1) affect the quality of hair pigmentation, (2) act as a pharmacological antagonist of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone, (3) play a role in neuroendocrine aspects of melanocortin action, and (4) have a functional role in regulating lipid metabolism in adipocytes.