Oxytocin (OT) Human Active Protein

This gene encodes a precursor protein that is processed to produce oxytocin and neurophysin I. Oxytocin is a posterior pituitary hormone which is synthesized as an inactive precursor in the hypothalamus along with its carrier protein neurophysin I. Together with neurophysin, 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 seems to be activated while it is being transported along the axon to the posterior pituitary. This hormone contracts 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. [provided by RefSeq, Dec 2013]

OXT: Neurophysin 1 specifically binds oxytocin. Belongs to the vasopressin/oxytocin family.

Protein type: Secreted; Secreted, signal peptide

Chromosomal Location of Human Ortholog: 20p13

Cellular Component: extracellular space; extracellular region; terminal button; secretory granule

Molecular Function: oxytocin receptor binding; neurohypophyseal hormone activity

Biological Process: response to peptide hormone stimulus; response to cAMP; male mating behavior; heart development; drinking behavior; response to glucocorticoid stimulus; positive regulation of female receptivity; female pregnancy; signal transduction; positive regulation of synaptic transmission; response to estradiol stimulus; elevation of cytosolic calcium ion concentration; hyperosmotic salinity response; negative regulation of blood pressure; response to electrical stimulus; response to food; grooming behavior; response to retinoic acid; maternal behavior; regulation of heart rate; eating behavior; response to amphetamine; social behavior; sleep; response to ether; response to cocaine; memory; positive regulation of ossification; response to sucrose stimulus; positive regulation of synaptogenesis; positive regulation of prostaglandin secretion; sperm ejaculation; response to activity; regulation of sensory perception of pain; response to progesterone stimulus; positive regulation of blood pressure