May play an important anorexigenic role. Modulates arousal and anxiety as well as increases locomotor activity. Binds to its receptor NPSR1 with nanomolar affinity to increase intracellular calcium concentrations. Expressed in mammary, salivary and thyroid gland. Expressed in the brain, in a cluster of cells located between the locus coeruleus (LC) and Barrington's nucleus, as well as in few cells of the dorsomedial hypothalamic nucleus and the amygdala.