Neuropeptides that play a significant role in the regulation of food intake and sleep-wakefulness, possibly by coordinating the complex behavioral and physiologic responses of these complementary homeostatic functions. A broader role in the homeostatic regulation of energy metabolism, autonomic function, hormonal balance and the regulation of body fluids, is also suggested. Orexin-A binds to both OX1R and OX2R with a high affinity, whereas orexin-B binds only to OX2R with a similar high affinity.

Abundantly expressed in subthalamic nucleus but undetectable in other brain regions tested (hypothalamus was not tested) and in heart, placenta, lung, liver, skeletal muscle, kidney and pancreas.

Defects in HCRT are the cause of narcolepsy type 1 (NRCLP1) [MIM:161400]. Narcolepsy is a neurological disabling sleep disorder, characterized by excessive daytime sleepiness, sleep fragmentation, symptoms of abnormal rapid-eye-movement (REM) sleep, such as cataplexy, hypnagogic hallucinations, and sleep paralysis. Cataplexy is a sudden loss of muscle tone triggered by emotions, which is the most valuable clinical feature used to diagnose narcolepsy. Human narcolepsy is primarily a sporadically occurring disorder but familial clustering has been observed. Note=Human narcolepsy is associated with a deficient orexin system. Orexins are absent and/or greatly diminished in the brain and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of most narcoleptic patients.

Belongs to the orexin family.

Specific enzymatic cleavages at paired basic residues yield the different active peptides.

Rough endoplasmic reticulum. Cytoplasmic vesicle. Cell junction > synapse. Associated with perikaryal rough endoplasmic reticulum as well as cytoplasmic large granular vesicles at synapses.