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...

1. Avian corticotropin (ACTH) was purified from both fresh and aged pituitary glands of the ostrich Struthio camelus. 2. The isolation of corticotropin in pure form involved acid/acetone extraction, NaCl fractionation, CM-cellulose chromatography and Sephadex G-50 chromatography. 3. The hormone preparations from fresh and aged glands behaved as single substances on polyacrylamide-gel electropho...

OBJECTIVE The objective of the study was to analyse placental hormone profiles in twin pregnancies to determine if they could be used to predict preterm birth. STUDY DESIGN Progesterone, estradiol, estriol and corticotropin-releasing hormone were measured using competitive immunoassay and radioimmunoassay in serum and saliva samples of 98 women with twin pregnancies,at 3 or more gestational t...

The recently discovered dendritic cell nuclear protein-1 is the product of a novel candidate gene for major depression. The A allele encodes full-length dendritic cell nuclear protein-1, while the T allele encodes a premature termination of translation at codon number 117 on chromosome 5. In the present study we investigate whether the two forms of dendritic cell nuclear protein-1 might act on ...

In teleosts, changes in swimming, exploring, general locomotor activity, and anxious state can be a response to stress mediated by the corticotropin-releasing hormone system activation and its effects on glucocorticoid levels. Zebrafish has been widely used to study neuropharmacology and has become a promising animal model to investigate neurobehavioral mechanisms of stress. In this report the ...

OB (leptin) has been identified as a factor that suppresses appetite and stimulates metabolism. Attention has focused on the hypothalamus as its potential site of action, but OB could also act on other brain regions. In addition, the paradox of high OB levels in obese humans remains unresolved. Here we show in mice that both the long and short form of the OB receptor are expressed not only in t...

Addition of N-ethylmaleimide, an inhibitor of proteolytic enzymes, to samples for plasma corticotropin determinations prevents destruction of the hormone at room temperature for at least 72 h. A concentration of 125 mg per liter of blood is effective. N-Ethylmaleimide is not so effective in preventing corticotropin degradation in whole blood. Use of the inhibitor should make plasma corticotropi...