This gene encodes a secreted protein which is processed by prohormone/proprotein convertases to produce smaller, biologically active peptides. Expression of the transcript for this gene is regulated by certain drugs such as cocaine, and the encoded protein is thought to be involved in the regulation of appetite and stress. Mutations in this gene are associated with susceptibility to obesity.[provided by RefSeq, Nov 2009].
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Kozsurek, Lukácsi, Fekete, Wittmann, Réthelyi, Puskár et al.: "Cocaine- and amphetamine-regulated transcript peptide (CART) is present in peptidergic C primary afferents and axons of excitatory interneurons with a possible role in nociception in the superficial ..." in: The European journal of neuroscience, Vol. 26, Issue 6, pp. 1624-31, (2007) (PubMed).