Automated description from the Alliance of Genome Resources (Release 7.0.0)
Enables type 3 melanocortin receptor binding activity and type 4 melanocortin receptor binding activity. Acts upstream of or within several processes, including adult feeding behavior; melanin biosynthetic process; and melanosome transport. Predicted to be located in extracellular region. Predicted to be active in extracellular space. Is expressed in forelimb epithelium; hair bulb; hindlimb epithelium; and skin. Used to study abdominal obesity-metabolic syndrome 1; obesity; and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Human ortholog(s) of this gene implicated in pigmentation disease. Orthologous to human ASIP (agouti signaling protein).