The role of corticotropin-releasing factor and its receptors in the central nervous system.
Corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) is a pluripotent neurohormone system, which implements endocrine, physiological and behavioral responses to stressor exposure. Built-in biological diversity and selectivity of CRF system function is provided by multiple endogenous ligands and receptors, which are heterologously distributed in both brain and peripheral tissues across species. Significant gains in knowledge about the physiological role of CRF receptors in the brain have emerged over the past year due to the proliferation of novel, high affinity, receptor selective pharmacological tools as well as multiple knockout and knockin mutant mouse models. These results support a role for CRF binding sites in coordinating stress reactivity, emotionality and energy balance over the life span of the organism.
Heinrichs
S C
SC
Boston College, Department of Psychology, McGuinn Hall, Chestnut Hill, MA 02467, USA. heinrichs@bc.edu