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10 sources retrieved · Most recent: April 2026 · Index updated 15 days ago
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LEAP2
liver enriched antimicrobial peptide 2
Chromosome 5 · 5q31.1
NCBI Gene: 116842Ensembl: ENSG00000164406.9HGNC: HGNC:29571UniProt: Q969E1
23PubMed Papers
20Diseases
0Drugs
0Pathogenic Variants
DATA QUALITY
✓ Swiss-Prot Reviewed
extracellular regiondefense response to bacteriumneurodegenerative diseaseobesitytype 2 diabetes mellitusinsulinoma
✦AI Summary

LEAP2 (liver enriched antimicrobial peptide 2) is a hormone primarily produced by hepatocytes and enterocytes that functions as an endogenous antagonist and inverse agonist of the ghrelin receptor (GHSR) 1. Originally identified as an antimicrobial peptide, LEAP2 has emerged as a key regulator of energy homeostasis by suppressing appetite and food intake in both rodents and humans 23. The peptide counters ghrelin's orexigenic effects and modulates growth hormone secretion through GHSR binding 4. LEAP2 exhibits unique regulatory features, being found in higher plasma concentrations than ghrelin even during energy deficit states and modulating both ghrelin-dependent and ghrelin-independent GHSR activities 4. Mechanistically, LEAP2 is regulated by insulin and glucagon, with glucagon infusions decreasing plasma LEAP2 levels while insulin supports its postprandial upregulation 5. Clinically, LEAP2 shows promise as a therapeutic target for obesity and cardiometabolic disorders, with elevated serum levels correlating with increased BMI and metabolic dysfunction 13. The peptide's dysregulation has been implicated in polycystic ovary syndrome and chr5 kidney disease, suggesting broader metabolic significance 67.

Sources cited
1
LEAP2 binds to GHSR and antagonizes ghrelin activities, with serum levels correlating with BMI and metabolic parameters
PMID: 39756956
2
LEAP2 acts as endogenous ghrelin antagonist suppressing appetite and food intake in rodents and humans
PMID: 40618862
3
LEAP2 suppresses appetite and shows therapeutic potential for obesity and cardiometabolic disorders
PMID: 41284160
4
LEAP2 found in higher plasma concentrations than ghrelin and modulates both ghrelin-dependent and independent GHSR activities
PMID: 39823403
5
LEAP2 is regulated by insulin and glucagon, with glucagon decreasing and insulin supporting LEAP2 levels
PMID: 40056903
6
LEAP2 levels are increased in PCOS and linked to infertility
PMID: 38285626
7
LEAP2 identified as potential therapeutic target for chronic kidney disease through multi-omics analysis
PMID: 38898508
Disease Associationsⓘ20
neurodegenerative diseaseOpen Targets
0.27Weak
obesityOpen Targets
0.09Suggestive
type 2 diabetes mellitusOpen Targets
0.09Suggestive
insulinomaOpen Targets
0.07Suggestive
non-alcoholic steatohepatitisOpen Targets
0.07Suggestive
steatosisOpen Targets
0.05Suggestive
neoplasmOpen Targets
0.05Suggestive
rheumatoid arthritisOpen Targets
0.04Suggestive
dermatitisOpen Targets
0.03Suggestive
obesity and hypopigmentationOpen Targets
0.03Suggestive
bacterial meningitisOpen Targets
0.03Suggestive
Crohn's diseaseOpen Targets
0.03Suggestive
Hepatic steatosisOpen Targets
0.02Suggestive
chronic interstitial cystitisOpen Targets
0.02Suggestive
Eczematoid dermatitisOpen Targets
0.02Suggestive
Mungan syndromeOpen Targets
0.02Suggestive
amyotrophic lateral sclerosisOpen Targets
0.02Suggestive
HyperinsulinemiaOpen Targets
0.02Suggestive
bacterial diseaseOpen Targets
0.02Suggestive
acanthosis nigricansOpen Targets
0.02Suggestive
Pathogenic Variants
No pathogenic variants reported on ClinVar for this gene.
View on ClinVar ↗
Related Genes
HAMPProtein interaction92%GHSRProtein interaction78%GSDMBShared pathway50%GSDMCShared pathway50%EPPINShared pathway50%GSDMAShared pathway50%
Tissue Expression6 tissues
Liver
100%
Ovary
1%
Lung
1%
Heart
1%
Bone Marrow
0%
Brain
0%
Gene Interaction Network
Click a node to explore
LEAP2HAMPGHSRGSDMBGSDMCEPPINGSDMA
PROTEIN STRUCTURE
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PDB2L1Q · NMR
View on RCSB ↗
Constraintⓘ
LOEUFⓘ
1.87LoF Tolerant
pLIⓘ
0.00Tolerant
Observed/Expected LoF1.31 [0.84–1.87]
RankingsWhere LEAP2 stands among ~20K protein-coding genes
  • #13,450of 20,598
    Most Researched23
  • #17,003of 17,882
    Most Constrained (LOEUF)1.87
Genes detectedLEAP2
Sources retrieved10 papers
Response time—
📄 Sources
10▼
1
Hormonal changes in PCOS.
PMID: 38285626
J Endocrinol · 2024
1.00
2
Identification of novel therapeutic targets for chronic kidney disease and kidney function by integrating multi-omics proteome with transcriptome.
PMID: 38898508
Genome Med · 2024
0.90
3
Regulation of LEAP2 by insulin and glucagon in mice and humans.
PMID: 40056903
Cell Rep Med · 2025
0.80
4
Ghrelin-LEAP2 interactions along the stomach-liver axis.
PMID: 39756956
Endocr J · 2025
0.70
5
LEAP2: from feeding regulation to its implications in eating disorders.
PMID: 40618862
Physiol Behav · 2025
0.60