Corticotropin-releasing factor receptors in the pituitary gland and central nervous system: methods and overview

Journal Article · Wed Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1986 · Methods Enzymol.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/0076-6879(86)24040-9· OSTI ID:5207185

De Souza, E B; Kuhar, M J

Studies with the radioiodinated oCRF analog, Nle21, 125I-Tyr32-oCRF have identified, characterized, and localized high affinity binding sites for CRF in anterior and intermediate lobes of rat pituitary, in anterior lobe of human pituitary, and in rat, monkey, and human brain. The pharmacology and distribution of Nle21, 125I-Tyr32-oCRF binding in the pituitary gland correlate well with the biological potency and sites of action of CRF and suggest that these CRF binding sites represent specific receptors that mediate the well-established actions of CRF on the anterior pituitary and on the intermediate lobe of the pituitary. The studies in adrenalectomized rats demonstrating that endogenous CRF is capable of modulating its receptor density provide additional evidence that the radioligand labels the functional CRF receptor. The areas of distribution of Nle21, 125I-Tyr32-oCRF binding sites in the rat CNS correlate well with the immunohistochemical distribution of CRF pathways and the pharmacological sites of action of CRF. These data confirm the established role of CRF in regulating secretion of POMC-derived peptides from the pituitary gland. In addition, the data support a physiological role for endogenous CRF in regulating CNS activity and suggest the importance of this neuropeptide in integrating endocrine and visceral functions and behavior, especially in response to stress. Studies to characterize CRF receptors and CRF-containing pathways in the brain provide a means for better understanding the various functions of this neuropeptide in different areas of the CNS. Finally, the ability to map CRF receptors in postmortem human tissue provides a basis for studying the role of CRF in a variety of endocrine, neurological, and psychiatric disorders.

• OSTI ID: 5207185
• Journal Information: Methods Enzymol.; (United States), Journal Name: Methods Enzymol.; (United States); ISSN MENZA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

550201* -- Biochemistry-- Tracer Techniques
59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
ANIMALS
AUTORADIOGRAPHY
BETA DECAY RADIOISOTOPES
BIOCHEMISTRY
BODY
BRAIN
CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM
CHEMISTRY
DAYS LIVING RADIOISOTOPES
ELECTRON CAPTURE RADIOISOTOPES
ENDOCRINE GLANDS
GLANDS
INTERMEDIATE MASS NUCLEI
IODINE 125
IODINE ISOTOPES
ISOTOPES
MAMMALS
MEMBRANE PROTEINS
NERVOUS SYSTEM
NUCLEI
ODD-EVEN NUCLEI
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANS
PEPTIDES
PITUITARY GLAND
PROTEINS
RADIOISOTOPES
RATS
RECEPTORS
RODENTS
VERTEBRATES