CORTICOTROPIN RELEASING FACTOR

General description

Research area: Neuroscience

Corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF), a 41-amino-acid peptide, is widely expressed in neurons throughout the mammalian brain and several peripheral tissues such as the pancreas, stomach, and small intestine. It functions by stimulating the secretion of corticotropin in the anterior pituitary, which in turn regulates adrenal cortex synthetic/secretory activity. Human CRF is located on chromosome 8q13 and is identical to rat and mouse CRF. It assumes a random coil structure under physiological conditions and α-helix shape in an amphiphilic environment.

Application

Corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) has been used to investigate its effects on Cerebellar Motor Control and Ataxia in rats.

Biochem/physiol Actions

Cell permeable: no

Primary Target: An immunomodulatory neuropeptide

The product does not compete with ATP.

Reversible: no

Corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF), a neuropeptide also known as corticotropin-releasing factor (CRH), plays a crucial role in the stress response by activating the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and extrahypothalamic pathways. It acts by releasing Adrenocorticotropic Hormone (ACTH) from the anterior pituitary, stimulating the sympathetic nervous system and adrenal medulla. Besides its involvement in stress regulation, CRF peptides have diverse effects on both, the central nervous system and peripheral tissues. This includes potential regulation of anxiety, mood, feeding, inflammation, gastric emptying, and blood pressure. Aberrant secretion of CRF could potentially contribute to the development of various neuropsychiatric disorders such as anxiety, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, Parkinson′s disease, Alzheimer′s disease, alcohol withdrawal, and post traumatic stress disorder. Also, CRF and CRF-R1 (Corticotropin-Releasing Factor Receptor 1) have been observed in lymphoid organs and sites of inflammation, suggesting a role in immune system regulation.

Packaging

Yes

Warning

Toxicity: Standard Handling (A)

Sequence

H-Ser-Glu-Glu-Pro-Pro-Ile-Ser-Leu-Asp-Leu-Thr-Phe-His-Leu-Leu-Arg-Glu-Val-Leu-Glu-Met-Ala-Arg-Ala-Glu-Gln-Leu-Ala-Gln-Gln-Ala-His-Ser-Asn-Arg-Lys-Leu-Met-Glu-Ile-Ile-NH₂

Physical form

Supplied as an acetate salt.

Reconstitution

Following reconstitution aliquot and freeze (-20°C). Stock solutions are stable for up to 3 months at -20°C.

Other Notes

Barmack, N.H., and Errico, P. 1993. J. Neurosci. 13, 4647.
Wei, E.T., et al. 1993. Ciba Found. Symp. 172, 258.
Smith, E.M., et al. 1986. Nature321, 881.
Udelsman, R., et al. 1986. Nature319, 147.

Legal Information

CALBIOCHEM is a registered trademark of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany