该基因编码的蛋白质实际上是一种前原蛋白，它被切割成四种不同的成熟肽。其中之一，胰高血糖素，是一种胰腺激素，通过刺激糖原分解和糖异生来抵消胰岛素的降糖作用。胰高血糖素是特定 G 蛋白连接受体的配体，其信号通路控制细胞增殖。其他两种肽由肠道内分泌细胞分泌，通过不同的机制促进营养吸收。最后，第四种肽类似于 glicentin，一种活性肠高血糖素。[RefSeq 提供，2008 年 7 月]

The protein encoded by this gene is actually a preproprotein that is cleaved into four distinct mature Peptides. One of these, glucagon, is a pancreatic hormone that counteracts the glucose-lowering action of Insulin by stimulating glycogenolysis and gluconeogenesis. Glucagon is a ligand for a specific G-protein linked receptor whose signalling pathway controls cell proliferation. Two of the other Peptides are secreted from gut endocrine cells and promote nutrient absorption through distinct mechanisms. Finally, the fourth peptide is similar to glicentin, an active enteroglucagon. [provided by RefSeq, Jul 2008]