A neuropeptide with diverse biological activities; induces hypothermia in rats (10-50 μg per hour, i.c.v.); signaling is increased and induces analgesia in wild-type mice in a cold water swim stress test; acts as an indirect dopamine antagonist that inhibits dopamine-induced effects at pre- and postsynaptic dopamine receptors; inhibits small bowel motility and secretion of gastric acid, stimulates pancreatic and biliary secretion, increases fatty acid absorption, and stimulates growth of the stomach, colon, pancreas, and small bowel in rats; increases growth of carcinoma cells via induction of IL-8 secretion and activation of EMT in vitro and in vivo