Attractin is an autosomal recessive gene and received great attention within the last few decades. Attractin in different lines has been identified attractin to have multiple roles in regulating physiological process. It affects the balance between agonist and antagonist at receptors on melanocytes, modifies behaviour and basal metabolic rate, intervenes developing the central nervous system and its function, and modulates an interaction between activated T cell and macrophages. The attractin gene encodes a protein that is involved in the suppression of diet-induced obesity, its expression level in the brain has a significant relationship with obesity, the role indicates the therapeutic potential of attractin in the treatment of obesity. Furthermore, the murine attractin locus is located in a region harboring several QTL for body weight and fatness. In this paper, we review the research development of mahogany, introduce the related gene and gene mapping, and summarize its regulating mechanism in the physiological process. Additionally,the further research on the gene is also suggested.