May be involved in the regulation of feeding, neuroendocrine system, memory, learning and in the afferent pain pathway.
Subcellular locations: Secreted
Widely expressed in the central nervous system. High levels are found in substantia nigra, hypothalamus, hippocampus, spinal cord, placenta and fetal brain; lower levels are found in testis, uterus and ovary. Also detected at high levels in colorectal adenocarcinoma.