PYY gene is composed of 4 exons and 3 introns that span approximately 51732 bases (start 42030106 bp to end 42081837 bp from pter) oriented at the minus strand.

Two transcript variants (1048 bp and 1048 bp in length).

Size: 97 amino acids; 11046 Da.

PYY is expressed predominantly in endocrine L-cells that line the distal small bowel and colon.

Extracellular, subcellular location: secreted granules. Co-localized with proglucagon products, glicentin and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and GLP-2. PYY is a gastrointestinal track-derived hormone synthesized by endocrine cells of terminal ileum and colon, involved in the regulation of food intake.

Enteroendocrine L-cells release two circulating forms of PYY in the distal gut: PYY1-36 and PYY3-36. The latter form is considered the predominant form in both fasted and fed states and is produced by the cleavage of the N-terminal Tyr-Pro residues from PYY1-36 by dipeptidyl-peptidase IV (DPPIV). PYY exerts its inhibitory actions via various Y receptors, including Y1 receptor-mediated epithelial responses and Y2 receptor-mediated neuronal effects. It inhibits food intake via NPY-2 receptors expressed by neurons of the arcuate nucleus of the hypothalamus. Generally, it is considered to act in the hypothalamus as a signal of satiety. Other inhibitory actions include slowing gastric emptying; increasing nutrient absorption, inducing intestinal anion and electrolytic secretion as well as slowing small intestine motility. In addition, it has been shown to decrease exocrine pancreatic secretion and act as an appetite suppressant in the fasting state at physiological concentrations.

PPY or PNP or PP and NPY.

Common polymorphisms: Arg72Thr, which has been associated with type-2 diabetes and in some cases with enhanced body mass. Other variants: Gln62Pro and Leu73Pro associated with body mass and obesity, respectively as well as A-23G,C888T and 3 UTR variant C+1134A. The latter has been related to enhanced body mass.