Glucagon-like peptide-2 (GLP-2) is a 33 amino acid peptide, co-secreted along with GLP-1 from intestinal endocrine cells in the small and large intestine

The function of GLP-2 was unrecognized for many years. The story starts with the observation that several human subjects with glucagonomas exhibit small bowel growth, as summarized in GLP-2 and Human Tumors. In 1996 GLP-2 administration in mice was shown to markedly increase small bowel growth in only a few days, principally due to hyperplasia of the villus epithelium

Induction of intestinal epithelial proliferation by glucagon-like peptide 2 Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 1996 Jul 23;93(15):7911-6

For an overview of how GLP-2 exerts its normal physiological effects, see the section on GLP-2 action. 

To understand the molecular basis of GLP-2 action, review the data on the GLP-2 receptor. 

For an overview of GLP-2 synthesis and secretion, see GLP-2 secretion and metabolism. 

To review the importance of GLP-2 structure-function relationships, see GLP-2 structure and activity and DPP-4 and GLP-2.  

To review the potential therapeutic efficacy of GLP-2, see GLP-2 and intestinal disease

For an overview of GLP-2 action in the brain, see GLP-2 and the CNS

To review experiments examining the essential physiological actions of GLP-2, See Essential GLP-2 action: Studies with antagonists