Description
Urocortin III is an endogenous peptide ligand and member of the corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) family; it binds and activates CRF type 2 receptors. Urocortin III is expressed primarily in brain regions such as the hypothalamus (specifically the pituitary gland), but is also present in heart, kidney (adrenal glands), and gastrointestinal tissues. Urocortin III modulates stress responses and exhibits anorexigenic, anxiogenic, anxiolytic, and positive inotropic effects across a wide variety of in vivo models.
References
Bagosi Z, Csabafi K, Palotai M, et al. The interaction of Urocortin II and Urocortin III with amygdalar and hypothalamic cotricotropin-releasing factor (CRF)--reflections on the regulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. Neuropeptides. 2013 Oct;47(5):333-8. PMID: 23932308.
Takahashi K, Totsune K, Murakami O, et al. Urocortins as cardiovascular peptides. Peptides. 2004 Oct;25(10):1723-31. PMID: 15476939.
Suda T, Kageyama K, Sakihara S, et al. Physiological roles of urocortins, human homologues of fish urotensin I, and their receptors. Peptides. 2004 Oct;25(10):1689-701. PMID: 15476936.
