This gene encodes hepcidin, an antimicrobial peptide and master hormonal regulator of systemic iron metabolism. The encoded preproprotein is synthesized in the hepatocytes where it undergoes proteolytic processing to generate disulfide-linked mature peptides that are secreted into the bloodstream. Mice lacking the encoded protein develop multivisceral iron overlaod, with sparing of the spleen macrophages. Certain mutations in the human ortholog of this gene cause hemochromatosis type 2B, also known as juvenile hemochromatosis. This gene is located adjacent to a related hepcidin gene on chromosome 7. [provided by RefSeq, Aug 2016]