This gene encodes preproprotein isoforms that are processed into multiple biologically active peptides. Expression of this gene is regulated by cocaine and other drugs, and is associated with feeding/appetite and stress response. Mice lacking the encoded protein are predisposed to obesity. Deficiency of the encoded protein in mice results in pancreatic islet dysfunction, impaired insulin secretion and glucose intolerance. Alternative splicing results in multiple transcript variants encoding different isoforms, which are subsequently processed into mature peptides. [provided by RefSeq, Jul 2015]