UCN Gene Summary [Human]

This gene encodes a member of the sauvagine/corticotropin-releasing factor/urotensin I family. The encoded preproprotein is proteolytically processed to generate the mature peptide, an endogenous ligand for both corticotropin-releasing factor receptor 1 and corticotropin-releasing factor receptor 2. In the brain this peptide may be responsible for the effects of stress on appetite. This peptide may also play a role in mood disorders, neurodegeneration, and skeletal system disorders. In spite of the gene family name similarity, the product of this gene has no sequence similarity to urotensin-2. [provided by RefSeq, Feb 2016]

Details

Type
Protein Coding
Official Symbol
UCN
Official Name
urocortin [Source:HGNC Symbol;Acc:HGNC:12516]
Ensembl ID
ENSG00000163794
Bio databases IDs NCBI: 7349 Ensembl: ENSG00000163794
Aliases urocortin, prepro-urocortin
Synonyms Mpv17, UCN1, UI, UROC, urocortin, UROCORTIN I, UROTENSIN I
Species
Human, Homo sapiens
OrthologiesMouseRat

Protein Domains

A protein domain is a distinct structural or functional region within a protein that can evolve, function, and exist independently of the rest of the protein chain. These domains in human UCN often fold into stable, three-dimensional structures and are associated with specific biological functions, such as binding to DNA, other proteins, or small molecules.
  • Corticotropin-releasing factor family
  • G-protein-coupled receptor binding
  • histone deacetylase inhibitor activity
  • protein binding
  • receptor binding
  • neuropeptide hormone

Pathways

Biological processes and signaling networks where the UCN gene in human plays a role, providing insight into its function and relevance in health or disease.

Top Findings

The most significant associations for this gene, including commonly observed domains, pathway involvement, and functional highlights based on current data.
disease
  • weight gain
  • hypotension
  • endometriosis
  • tachycardia
  • colon adenocarcinoma
  • colon epithelial cancer
  • collagen-induced arthritis
  • gastroparesis
regulated by
regulates
  • 5-hydroxytryptamine
  • corticosterone
  • AKT
  • FOS
  • norepinephrine
  • Ca2+
  • cyclic AMP
  • PRL
  • ERK1/2
  • LEP
role in cell
  • proliferation
  • cell death
  • apoptosis
  • migration
  • growth
  • production in
  • expression in
  • phosphorylation in
  • differentiation
  • binding

Subcellular Expression

Locations within the cell where the protein is known or predicted to be active, providing insight into its function and cellular context.
  • Extracellular Space
  • axon component
  • cell surface
  • perikaryon
  • axons
  • dendrites
  • axon terminals

Gene Ontology Annotations

Describes the biological processes, cellular components, and molecular functions associated with the human UCN gene, providing context for its role in the cell.

Biological Process

Functions and activities the gene product is involved in
  • drinking behavior
  • positive regulation of translation
  • negative regulation of appetite
  • positive regulation of DNA replication
  • vasodilation
  • associative learning
  • positive regulation of transcription from RNA polymerase II promoter
  • negative regulation of neuron apoptotic process
  • response to pain
  • sensory perception of sound
  • response to oxidative stress
  • positive regulation of cell growth
  • positive regulation of collagen biosynthetic process
  • startle response
  • response to glucocorticoid stimulus
  • positive regulation of corticotropin secretion
  • negative regulation of cell size
  • response to auditory stimulus
  • regulation of synaptic transmission, glutamatergic
  • positive regulation of peptidyl-serine phosphorylation
  • social behavior
  • positive regulation of cardiac muscle contraction
  • negative regulation of feeding behavior
  • G-protein coupled receptor signaling pathway
  • neuron projection development
  • female pregnancy
  • negative regulation of blood pressure
  • positive regulation of cAMP-mediated signaling
  • negative regulation of hormone secretion
  • positive regulation of vascular permeability
  • positive regulation of calcium ion import
  • negative regulation of gene expression
  • neuropeptide signaling pathway
  • positive regulation of behavioral fear response
  • response to estradiol stimulus
  • positive regulation of interleukin-6 production
  • aerobic respiration

Cellular Component

Where in the cell the gene product is active
  • dendrite
  • varicosity
  • extracellular region
  • perikaryon
  • axon terminus

Molecular Function

What the gene product does at the molecular level
  • corticotropin-releasing hormone receptor 2 binding
  • protein binding
  • corticotropin-releasing hormone receptor 1 binding
  • neuropeptide hormone activity
  • histone deacetylase inhibitor activity

Gene-Specific Assays for Results You Can Trust

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