Hepcidin, an human antimicrobial peptide, contains a leader sequence, a proteolysis site and a C-terminal 25 amino acid active peptide. This peptide is most active against gram-positive bacteria, but also inhibits the growth of certain yeast and gram-negative bacteria. HAMP also functions as a signaling molecule involved in the maintenance of iron homeostasis. In conjugation with HFE it seems to regulate both intestinal iron absorption and iron storage in macrophages. Mutations in HAMP are found in juvenile hemochromatosis.Synonyms: HEPC, LEAP-1, LEAP1, Liver-expressed antimicrobial peptide, PLTR, Putative liver tumor regressor