Regulates food intake, energy expenditure and body weight in response to metabolic and toxin-induced stresses (  , ). Binds to its receptor, GFRAL, and activates GFRAL-expressing neurons localized in the area postrema and nucleus tractus solitarius of the brainstem ( , ). It then triggers the activation of neurons localized within the parabrachial nucleus and central amygdala, which constitutes part of the 'emergency circuit' that shapes feeding responses to stressful conditions . On hepatocytes, inhibits growth hormone signaling (By similarity).
Subcellular locations: Secreted
Highly expressed in placenta, with lower levels in prostate and colon and some expression in kidney . Detected in plasma (at protein level) (, ).