Physiology, pharmacology, and therapeutic relevance of urocortins in mammals: ancient CRF paralogs.
Urocortins, three paralogs of the stress-related peptide corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) found in bony fish, amphibians, birds, and mammals, have unique phylogenies, pharmacologies, and tissue distributions. As a result and despite a structural family resemblance, the natural functions of urocortins and CRF in mammalian homeostatic responses differ substantially. Endogenous urocortins are neither simply counterpoints nor mimics of endogenous CRF action. In their own right, urocortins may be clinically relevant molecules in the pathogenesis or management of many conditions, including congestive heart failure, hypertension, gastrointestinal and inflammatory disorders (irritable bowel syndrome, active gastritis, gastroparesis, and rheumatoid arthritis), atopic/allergic disorders (dermatitis, urticaria, and asthma), pregnancy and parturition (preeclampsia, spontaneous abortion, onset, and maintenance of effective labor), major depression and obesity. Safety trials for intravenous urocortin treatment have already begun for the treatment of congestive heart failure. Further understanding the unique functions of urocortin 1, urocortin 2, and urocortin 3 action may uncover other therapeutic opportunities.
Fekete
Eva M
EM
Committee on the Neurobiology of Addictive Disorders, The Scripps Research Institute, 10550 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA.
Zorrilla
Eric P
EP
D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D001007:Anxiety / Q000378:metabolism; D002319:Cardiovascular System / Q000378:metabolism; D003346:Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000737:chemistry / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D004435:Eating; D004734:Energy Metabolism; D019143:Evolution, Molecular; D005260:Female; D005769:Gastrointestinal Motility; D006309:Hearing / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007030:Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System / Q000502:physiology; D007107:Immune System / Q000502:physiology; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D010802:Phylogeny; D011247:Pregnancy; D018019:Receptors, Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D016415:Sequence Alignment; D054832:Urocortins
D018019:Receptors, Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone; D054832:Urocortins; D003346:Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone