CRH is a key activator of the hypothalamo-pituitaryadrenal (HPA) axis in response to internal or external stresses by stimulating adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) secretion from the pituitary.
Biochem/physiol Actions
CRF is a hypothalamic peptide that releases ACTH and endorphin from the anterior pituitary. It is also a neurotransmitter in the central nervous system, and is involved in autonomic and endocrine responses to stress.
Clinical Use
Clinical implications Increased CRH production has been suggested to be associated with Alzheimer’s disease and depression. CRH deficiency has been observed to induce hypoglycemia and hepatitis. CRH has been used in the diagnosis of ACTH-dependent Cushing’s syndrome and Addison’s disease. Use for diagnosis and treatment CRHR1 antagonists Pexacerfont and Antalarmin are under clinical trial for the treatment of generalized anxiety disorder as well as depression and other mental disorders, respectively
Structure and conformation
CRH peptides of all species examined consist of 41 aa residues with an amidated C-terminus. The C-terminal region is important for physiological activity. The human, mouse, and rat CRH have identical aa sequences. CRH sequence homologies between human/mouse/rat and others are high (76%–95%). CRH2 peptides consist of 40–43 aa residues with an amidated C-terminus.
