Study on CRF and ACTH-related peptides

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Gene expression of hypothalamic CRF and pituitary proopiomelanocortin (POMC), and characterization of CRF-binding protein (CRF-BP) were examined. The results are as follows; 1. cAMP-related ACTH secretagogues stimulated both ACTH release and POMC gene expression in the pituitary, while protein kinase C-related ACTH secretagogues did not affect POMC gene expression. 2. Insulin-induced hypoglycemia stimulated gene expression of hypothalamic CRF and pituitary POMC as well as secretion of ACTH and CRF in rats. 3. CRF-BP appeared to have a mol wt of about 38000, and its binding to CRF was specific. 4. CRF-BP inhibited CRF-induced ACTH secretion from the pituitary cells. 5. most of the increased plasma CRF formed in pregnant women was bound to CRFBP, and so is inactive.