Human Agouti-signaling Protein, ASIP ELI

Involved in the regulation of melanogenesis.

The binding of ASP to MC1R precludes alpha-MSH initiated signaling and thus blocks production of cAMP, leading to a down-regulation of eumelanogenesis (brown/black pigment) and thus increasing synthesis of pheomelanin (yellow/red pigment).

In higher primates, agouti may affect the quality of hair pigmentation rather than its pattern of deposition.

Could well play a role in neuroendocrine aspects of melanocortin action.

May have some functional role in regulating the lipid metabolism with adipocytes.