The function of Ensembl gene identifier ENSG00000101440 (ASIP, agouti signaling protein) is as follows. Signaling protein that functions as an antagonist of melanocyte-stimulating-hormone receptor MC1R, thereby playing a role in the regulation of melanogenesis (PubMed:36536132). Binding to MC1R prevents alpha-MSH-induced signaling and inhibits cAMP production, resulting in down-regulation of eumelanogenesis (brown/black pigment) and increased pheomelanin (yellow/red pigment) synthesis (By similarity). In higher primates, Agouti may affect the quality of hair pigmentation rather than the pattern of pigment deposition (PubMed:11833005). May also play a role in neuroendocrine aspects of melanocortin action. {ECO:0000250|UniProtKB:Q03288, ECO:0000269|PubMed:11833005, ECO:0000269|PubMed:36536132}.