Edn2 - endothelin 2

This gene encodes a member of the endothelin family of peptides. The encoded preproprotein undergoes proteolytic processing to generate a potent vasoconstrictive peptide. This gene is abundantly expressed in the gastrointestinal tract, strongly induced in photorecepteror cells in retinal diseases and injury, and produced by microglia and macrophages in the early stages of glaucoma. Mice lacking the encoded protein exhibit severe growth retardation, hypothermia and juvenile lethality. [provided by RefSeq, Feb 2016]