The protein encoded by this gene belongs to the glucagon family and is a preproprotein that is produced in the;hypothalamus. The preproprotein is cleaved to form a 44 aa factor, also called somatocrinin, that acts to stimulate;growth hormone release from the pituitary. Variant receptors for somatocrinin have been found in several types of;tumors, and antagonists of these receptors can inhibit the growth of the tumors. Defects in this gene are a cause of;dwarfism, while hypersecretion of the encoded protein is a cause of gigantism.
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