Enables DNA binding activity and growth factor activity. Involved in several processes, including cell surface receptor signaling pathway; positive regulation of cytokine production; and positive regulation of signal transduction. Acts upstream of or within several processes, including insulin secretion; monocarboxylic acid metabolic process; and regulation of insulin secretion. Located in cytoplasm and extracellular space. Is expressed in several structures, including adipose tissue; alimentary system; central nervous system; early conceptus; and genitourinary system. Used to study abdominal obesity-metabolic syndrome (multiple); fatty liver disease (multiple); obesity; and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Human ortholog(s) of this gene implicated in several diseases, including alcohol dependence; congenital leptin deficiency; liver disease (multiple); lung disease (multiple); and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Orthologous to human LEP (leptin). [provided by Alliance of Genome Resources, Apr 2022]