OXT, Official Symbol OXTprovided by HGNC Official Full Name oxytocin/neurophysin I prepropeptideprovided by HGNC Primary source HGNC:HGNC:8528 See related Ensembl:ENSG00000101405 MIM:167050; AllianceGenome:HGNC:8528 Gene type protein coding RefSeq status REVIEWED Organism Homo sapiens Lineage Eukaryota; Metazoa; Chordata; Craniata; Vertebrata; Euteleostomi; Mammalia; Eutheria; Euarchontoglires; Primates; Haplorrhini; Catarrhini; Hominidae; Homo Also known as OT; OT-NPI; OXT-NPI Summary 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] Expression Biased expression in liver (RPKM 1.6), kidney (RPKM 0.7) and 5 other tissues See more Orthologs mouse all