CORTICOTROPIN-RELEASING FACTOR (CRF) AND ENDOCRINE RESPONSES TO STRESS - CRF RECEPTORS, BINDING-PROTEIN, AND RELATED PEPTIDES

Corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) is a 41-amino acid neuropeptide, which is recognized as a critical mediator of complimentary, stress-re lated endocrine, autonomic, and behavioral responses in mammalian spec ies. CRF belongs to a family of structurally related peptides includin g frogskin sauvagine and fish urotensin I. The effects of CRF and rela ted peptides are mediated by two distinct receptors, which differ in t heir anatomical distribution, as well as in their pharmacological char acteristics. In addition, CRF is bound with high affinity by a CRF bin ding protein (CRF-BP), which is a putative inhibitor of CRF action. CR F is probably not the sole endogenous ligand for CRF receptors or the CRF-BP, since a second mammalian member of the CRF family, urocortin, has recently been identified, This article describes recent findings w ith respect to CRF, its receptors, binding protein, and CRF-related pe ptides, which provide further insights into the role and mechanisms of CRF action in stress responses.