Corticotropin-Releasing Factor Receptor Agents

Corticotropin releasing factor (CRF) is a hypothalamic hormone, which acts on the anterior pituitary to stimulate the secretion of corticotropin, thereby regulating the synthetic/secretory activity of the adrenal cortex. CRF is bound to a 37-kDa plasma binding protein that inactivates CRF in the circulation. There are at least three additional, naturally occurring, related mammalian peptides: urocortin 1, urocortin 2 and urocortin 3. CRF and the urocortins are widely distributed in the central nervous system and the periphery.