Glucagon like peptide-2 (GLP-2) is a 33 amino acid peptide secreted following food consumption. It is cleaved by dipeptidyl peptidase IV thereby yielding a very short half life. GLP-2 imposes most of its effect on intestinal epithelial cells where it is also be used as a therapeutic drug for gastrointestinal injuries.nThe many actions of GLP-2 include cellular proliferation of intestinal epithelial cells, the increase of amino acid and lipid absorption and increase of digestive enzyme activity of the epithelial brush border cells.The GLP-2 cellular and physiological effects are primarily exerted through the glucagon-like peptide-2 receptor (GLP-2R), a member of the G-protein coupled receptor superfamily. The receptor can couple either Gs or Gi G-proteins1. However, when heterologously expressed, the receptor can stimulate the synthesis of cAMP4.Expression of GLP-2R is strongly detected in the central nervous system and the gastrointestinal tract, although its expression in this area remains controversial as some species express the receptor in different regions than others. It is also slightly detected in the lungs, cervix and vagal afferents.
