Corticotropin-releasing hormone binding protein family

Corticotropin-releasing hormone binding protein (CRH-BP) binds corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) and several related peptide hormones (urocortin 1, urotensin 1, and sauvagine).^[1] It is an ancient, highly conserved protein whose origin predates the divergence of protostomes and deuterostomes.^[2]

Corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) plays multiple roles in vertebrate species. It is the major hypothalamic releasing factor for pituitary adrenocorticotropin secretion,^[2] and is a neurotransmitter or neuromodulator at other sites in the central nervous system. In non-mammalian vertebrates, CRH not only acts as a neurotransmitter and hypophysiotropin, it also acts as a potent thyrotropin-releasing factor,^[3] allowing CRH to regulate both the adrenal and thyroid axes, especially in development.

Corticotropin-releasing factor binding protein (CRH-BP) is thought to play an inhibitory role in which it binds CRH and other CRH-like ligands and prevents the activation of CRH receptors 1 and 2. There is however evidence that CRH-BP may also exhibit diverse extra and intracellular roles in a cell specific fashion and at specific times in development.^[4]

CRHBP;