Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there are provided novel G-protein-coupled receptor proteins (CRF-R) characterized by having sufficient binding affinity for corticotropin releasing factor (CRF) such that concentrations of £ 10 nM of CRF occupy 350% of the binding sites of said receptor protein. Nucleic acid sequences encoding such receptors, assays employing same, as well as antibodies derived therefrom, are also disclosed. Invention CRF-Rs can be employed in a variety of ways, such as, for example, in bioassays, for production of antibodies thereto, in therapeutic compositions containing such proteins and/or antibodies.

Abstract: A human urocortin-related peptide with significant sequence homology to the CRF neuropeptide family was identified. A mouse CDNA was isolated from whole brain poly (A+) RNA that encodes a predicted 38 amino acid peptide protein designated herein as urocortin II. Both human URP and mouse Ucn II are structurally related to the other known mammalian family members, CRF and urocortin (Ucn). These peptides are involved in the regulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis under basal and stress conditions, suggesting a similar role for URP and Ucn IL Synthesized Ucn-II and URP peptide binds with higher affinity to CRF-R2 than to CRF-R1 Ucn II and human URP appear to be involved in the regulation of body temperature and appetite and may play a role in other stress related phenomenon. These findings identify Ucn II and human URP as a new members of the CRF family of neuropeptides, which are expressed centrally and bind to CRF-R2.

Abstract: A human urocortin-related peptide with significant sequence homology to the CRF neuropeptide family was identified. A mouse cDNA was isolated from whole brain poly (A+) RNA that encodes a predicted 38 amino acid peptide protein designated herein as urocortin II. Both human URP and mouse Ucn II are structurally related to the other known mammalian family members, CRF and urocortin (Ucn). These peptides are involved in the regulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis under basal and stress conditions, suggesting a similar role for URP and Ucn II. Synthesized Ucn-II and URP peptide binds with higher affinity to CRF-R2 than to CRF-R1 Ucn II and human URP appear to be involved in the regulation of body temperature and appetite and may play a role in other stress related phenomenon. These findings identify Ucn II and human URP as a new members of the CRF family of neuropeptides, which are expressed centrally and bind to CRF-R2.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there are provided novel G-protein-coupled receptor proteins (CRF-R) characterized by having sufficient binding affinity for corticotropin releasing factor (CRF) such that concentrations of £ 10 nM of CRF occupy 350% of the binding sites of said receptor protein. Nucleic acid sequences encoding such receptors, assays employing same, as well as antibodies derived therefrom, are also disclosed. Invention CRF-Rs can be employed in a variety of ways, such as, for example, in bioassays, for production of antibodies thereto, in therapeutic compositions containing such proteins and/or antibodies.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there are provided novel G-protein-coupled receptor proteins (CRF-R) characterized by having sufficient binding affinity for corticotropin releasing factor (CRF) such that concentrations of 10 nM of CRF occupy 50% of the binding sites of said receptor protein. Nucleic acid sequences encoding such receptors, assays employing same, as well as antibodies derived therefrom, are also disclosed. Invention CRF-Rs can be employed in a variety of ways, such as, for example, in bioassays, for production of antibodies thereto, in therapeutic compositions containing such proteins and/or antibodies.

Abstract: Urocortin (Ucn) is a native mammalian peptide generally related to Urotensin I and Corticotropin Releasing Factor (CRF). Human Ucn has the formula: Asp-Asn-Pro-Ser-Leu-Ser-Ile-Asp-Leu-Thr-Phe-His-Leu-Leu-Arg-Thr-Leu-Leu-Glu-Leu-Ala-Arg-Thr-Gln-Ser-Gln-Arg-Glu-Arg-Ala-Glu-Gln-Asn-Arg-Ile-Ile-Phe-Asp-Ser-Val-NH2 (SEQ ID NO: 15). Rat-derived Ucn is identical but for 2 substitutions, Asp2 for Asn2 and Pro4 for Ser4. Ucn or analogs thereof or pharmaceutically acceptable salts can be administered to humans and other mammals to achieve substantial elevation of ACTH, &bgr;-endorphin, &bgr;-lipotropin, other products of the pro-opiomelanocortin gene and corticosterone. They can also be used to lower blood pressure over an extended period of time, as stimulants to elevate mood and to improve memory and learning performance, as well as diagnostically. Shortened fragments may be administered to release endogenous CRF and/or Ucn in the brain and peripherally.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there are provided novel G-protein-coupled receptor proteins (CRF-R) characterized by having sufficient binding affinity for corticotropin releasing factor (CRF) such that concentrations of ≦10 nM of CRF occupy ≧50% of the binding sites of said receptor protein. Nucleic acid sequences encoding such receptors, assays employing same, as well as antibodies derived therefrom, are also disclosed. Invention CRF-Rs can be employed in a variety of ways, such as, for example, in bioassays, for production of antibodies thereto, in therapeutic compositions containing such proteins and/or antibodies.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there are provided novel G-protein-coupled receptor proteins (CRF-R) characterized by having sufficient binding affinity for corticotropin releasing factor (CRF) such that concentrations of 10 nM of CRF occupy 50% of the binding sites of said receptor protein. Nucleic acid sequences encoding such receptors, assays employing same, as well as antibodies derived therefrom, are also disclosed. Invention CRF-Rs can be employed in a variety of ways, such as, for example, in bioassays, for production of antibodies thereto, in therapeutic compositions containing such proteins and/or antibodies.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there are provided novel G-protein-coupled receptor proteins (CRF-R) characterized by having sufficient binding affinity for corticotropin releasing factor (CRF) such that concentrations of ≦10 nM of CRF occupy ≧50% of the binding sites of said receptor protein. Nucleic acid sequences encoding such receptors, assays employing same, as well as antibodies derived therefrom, are also disclosed. Invention CRF-Rs can be employed in a variety of ways, such as, for example, in bioassays, for production of antibodies thereto, in therapeutic compositions containing such proteins and/or antibodies.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there are provided novel G-protein-coupled receptor proteins (CRF-R) characterized by having sufficient binding affinity for corticotropin releasing factor (CRF) such that concentrations of £ 10 nM of CRF occupy 50% of the binding sites of said receptor protein. Nucleic acid sequences encoding such receptors, assays employing same, as well as antibodies derived therefrom, are also disclosed. Invention CRF-Rs can be employed in a variety of ways, such as, for example, in bioassays, for production of antibodies thereto, in therapeutic compositions containing such proteins and/or antibodies.

Abstract: Urocortin (Ucn) is a native mammalian peptide generally related to Urotensin I and Corticotropin Releasing Factor (CRF). Human Ucn has the formula: Asp-Asn-Pro-Ser-Leu-Ser-Ile-Asp-Leu-Thr-Phe-His-Leu-Leu-Arg-Thr-Leu-Leu-Glu-Leu-Ala-Arg-Thr-Gln-Ser-Gln-Arg-Glu-Arg-Ala-Glu-Gln-Asn-Arg-Ile-Ile-Phe-Asp-Ser-Val-NH2 (SEQ ID NO:15). Rat-derived Ucn is identical but for 2 substitutions, Asp2 for Asn2 and Pro4 for Ser4. Ucn or analogs thereof or pharmaceutically acceptable salts can be administered to humans and other mammals to achieve substantial elevation of ACTH, &bgr;-endorphin, &bgr;-lipotropin, other products of the pro-opiomelanocortin gene and corticosterone. They can also be used to lower blood pressure over an extended period of time, as stimulants to elevate mood and to improve memory and learning performance, as well as diagnostically. Shortened fragments may be administered to release endogenous CRF and/or Ucn in the brain and peripherally.