Vasopressin (AVP) Synthetic Protein

This gene encodes a precursor protein consisting of arginine vasopressin and two associated proteins, neurophysin 2 and a glycopeptide, copeptin. Arginine vasopressin is a posterior pituitary hormone which is synthesized in the supraoptic nucleus and paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus. Along with its carrier protein, neurophysin 2, it is packaged into neurosecretory vesicles and transported axonally to the nerve endings in the neurohypophysis where it is either stored or secreted into the bloodstream. The precursor is thought to be activated while it is being transported along the axon to the posterior pituitary. Arginine vasopressin acts as a growth factor by enhancing pH regulation through acid-base transport systems. It has a direct antidiuretic action on the kidney, and also causes vasoconstriction of the peripheral vessels. This hormone can contract smooth muscle during parturition and lactation. It is also involved in cognition, tolerance, adaptation and complex sexual and maternal behaviour, as well as in the regulation of water excretion and cardiovascular functions. Mutations in this gene cause autosomal dominant neurohypophyseal diabetes insipidus (ADNDI). [provided by RefSeq, Mar 2010]

AVP: Neurophysin 2 specifically binds vasopressin. Defects in AVP are the cause of diabetes insipidus, neurohypophyseal (NDI). A disease characterized by persistent thirst, polydipsia and polyuria. Affected individuals are apparently normal at birth, but characteristically develop symptoms of vasopression deficiency during childhood. Belongs to the vasopressin/oxytocin family.

Protein type: Hormone; Secreted; Secreted, signal peptide

Chromosomal Location of Human Ortholog: 20p13

Cellular Component: extracellular space; dendrite; extracellular region; cytosol; secretory granule

Molecular Function: neuropeptide hormone activity; signal transducer activity; V1A vasopressin receptor binding; caspase inhibitor activity; neurohypophyseal hormone activity; V1B vasopressin receptor binding; receptor binding; protein kinase activity

Biological Process: response to nicotine; circadian rhythm; water transport; positive regulation of glutamate secretion; positive regulation of cellular pH reduction; locomotory behavior; positive regulation of systemic arterial blood pressure; negative regulation of caspase activity; signal transduction; protein amino acid phosphorylation; elevation of cytosolic calcium ion concentration; cell-cell signaling; hyperosmotic salinity response; positive regulation of cAMP biosynthetic process; positive regulation of cell proliferation; transmembrane transport; positive regulation of prostaglandin biosynthetic process; penile erection; grooming behavior; vasoconstriction; sodium-independent organic anion transport; generation of precursor metabolites and energy; maternal behavior; response to testosterone stimulus; social behavior; positive regulation of cell growth; positive regulation of peptidyl-serine phosphorylation; negative regulation of female receptivity; response to ethanol; negative regulation of transmission of nerve impulse; positive regulation of vasoconstriction; renal water homeostasis; negative regulation of apoptosis

Disease: Diabetes Insipidus, Neurohypophyseal