Ucn2 - urocortin 2

This gene encodes a member of the corticotropin-releasing hormone peptide family that participates in coordinating autonomic, endocrine, and behavioral responses to stress. The encoded preproprotein undergoes proteolytic processing to generate a mature, functional hormone. Mice lacking the encoded protein exhibit increased insulin sensitivity and were protected against fat-induced insulin resistance. In addition, female mice lacking the encoded protein exhibit a significant increase in the basal daily rhythms of adrenocorticotropic hormone and corticosterone, and a significant decrease in fluid intake and depressive-like behavior. [provided by RefSeq, Sep 2016]