title: The roles of corticotropin-releasing factor-related peptides and their receptors in the cardiovascular system.
abstract: Corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF), CRF-related peptides and their receptors are present in the central nervous system and in peripheral tissues including the immune, reproductive and cardiovascular systems. CRF and urocortin (urocortin 1) bind to the CRF receptor type 1 (CRF(1) receptor) and the CRF receptor type 2 (CRF(2) receptor), whereas urocortin 2 (formerly known as stresscopin related peptide) and urocortin 3 (formerly known as stresscopin) bind with high affinity to the CRF(2) receptor. Recent studies show that urocortin 1, urocortin 2 and urocortin 3 are potent regulators of cardiovascular function. This review highlights the role of cardiovascular CRF and related peptides and its relevance in mediating the adaptive response of the cardiovascular system to stressful conditions.
authors.affiliation: Brain-Body Center, College of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60612, USA. nazarloo@uic.edu
authors.forename: Hossein Pournajafi
authors.initials: HP
authors.lastname: Nazarloo
authors.forename: P M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Buttrick
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Saadat
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Dunn
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002320:Cardiovascular Physiological Phenomena; D002319:Cardiovascular System / Q000378:metabolism; D003346:Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000502:physiology*; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D036361:Peptide Hormones / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology; D018019:Receptors, Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D005938:Glucocorticoids; D036361:Peptide Hormones; D018019:Receptors, Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone; D003346:Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone