Widespread tissue distribution and diverse functions of corticotropin-releasing factor and related peptides.

Do centrally administered neuropeptides access cognate receptors?: an analysis in the central corticotropin-releasing factor system.

To determine the extent to which centrally administered corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) activates neurons that express CRF receptors (CRF-Rs), we followed the kinetics and distribution (relative to those of CRF-Rs) of Fos induction seen in response to intracerebroventricular (icv) injection of the peptide (1-10 microg). CRF provoked widespread Fos expression: its strength was dose-related,...

Corticotropin-releasing hormone physiology

Corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH), also known as corticotropin-releasing factor, is a highly conserved peptide hormone comprising 41 amino acid residues. Its name derives from its role in the anterior pituitary, where it mediates the release of corticotropin (ACTH) leading to the release of adrenocortical steroids. CRH is the major hypothalamic activator of the hypothalamic–pituitary– adren...

The Crh Family of Peptides

p0005 Corticotropin-releasing hormone [CRH; also referred to as corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF)] is a member of a family of related peptides in vertebrates that includes the fish urotensins-I, frog sauvagine, and the urocortin/stresscopin peptides. CRF was first named for its stimulatory effect on corticotropin [also known as adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)] secretion from the anterior ...

CRH family of peptides plays diverse roles in physiological, developmental and behavioral events, such as activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, modulation of cardiovascular, immunological and gastrointestinal functions, stimulation of anxiety-related behavior, control of locomotor activity and regulation of food intake

Corticotropin-releasing hormone receptors.

Corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) and related peptides (urocortins, sauvagine, urotensin) play a central role in the co-ordination of autonomic, behavioural, cardiovascular, immune and endocrine responses to stressful stimuli. Their actions are mediated through activation of two types of G-protein-coupled receptors encoded by separate genes. In this review we focus on the diverse structural...