Abstract: Novel cyclic CRF agonist peptides have the amino acid sequence: (cyclo 30-33)Ac-Ser-Leu-Asp-Leu-Thr-D-Phe-His-Leu-Leu-Arg-Glu-Val-Leu-Glu-Nle-Ala-Arg-Ala-Glu-Gln-Leu-Ala-Gln-Glu-Ala-R32-R33-Asn-Arg-Lys-Leu-Nle-Glu-Ile-Ile-NH2 wherein R32 is His, D-His or an equivalent &agr;-amino acid; R33 is Lys or Orn. The N-terminus may be extended by Tyr, D-Tyr or Ile. Lys may be substituted for Arg23, and its side chain connected by a lactam bridge to Glu20 to form a bicyclic peptide. Certain disclosed CRF agonists include: (cyclo 30-33)[Ac-Ser7, D-Phe12, Nle21,38, Glu30, Lys33]r/hCRF(7-41); (cyclo 30-33)[Ac-Ser7, D-Phe12, Nle21,38, Glu30, D-His32, Lys33]r/hCRF(7-41); (bicyclo 20-23, 30-33)[Ac-Ser7, D-Phe12, Nle21,38, Lys23,33, Glu30, D-His32]-r/hCRF(7-41); (cyclo 30-33)[Ac-Ser7, D-Phe12, Nle18,21, Glu30, D-Ala32, Lys33]&agr;-helicale CRF(7-41); and (cyclo 30-33)[Ac-Ser7, D-Phe12, Nle21,38, CML27,40, Glu30, Lys33]r/hCRF(7-41).

Abstract: Novel cyclic CRF antagonist peptides have the amino acid sequence: ##STR1## wherein Y is Ac, H, Ac-Thr or H-Thr; R.sub.30 is Glu or Cys; R.sub.32 is His or preferably a basic and/or aromatic D-amino acid such as D-His or D-Arg; R.sub.33 is Lys, Orn or Cys. The N-terminus may be extended by Leu or Asp-Leu. CML may be substituted for Leu.sup.27, and D-Tyr may be substituted for D-Phe to facilitate labelling. Lys may be substituted for Arg.sup.23, and its side chain connected by a lactam bridge to Glu.sup.20 to form a bicyclic peptide. Disclosed CRF antagonists include:(cyclo 30-33)?D-Phe.sup.12, Nle.sup.21,38, Glu.sup.30, Lys.sup.33 !r/hCRF(12-41),(cyclo 30-33)?Ac-Thr.sup.11, D-Phe.sup.12, Nle.sup.21,38, Glu.sup.30, Lys.sup.33 !r/hCRF(11-41),(cyclo 30-33)?D-Phe.sup.12, Nle.sup.21,38, Cys.sup.30,33 !r/hCRF(12-41),(bicyclo 20-23,30-33)?D-Phe.sup.12, Nle.sup.21,38, Lys.sup.23,33, Glu.sup.30 !-r/hCRF(12-41),(cyclo 30-33)?D-Phe.sup.12, Nle.sup.21,38, Glu.sup.30, D-His.sup.32, Lys.sup.

Abstract: Novel cyclic CRF agonist peptides have the amino acid sequence: (cyclo 30-33)Ac-Pro-Pro-Ile-Ser-Leu-Asp-Leu-Thr-D-Phe-His-Leu-Leu-Arg-Glu-Val-Leu -Glu-Nle-Ala-Arg-Ala-Glu-Gln-Leu-Ala-Gln-R.sub.30 -Ala-R.sub.32 -R.sub.33 -Asn-Arg-Lys-Leu-Nle-Glu-Ile-Ile-NH.sub.2 wherein R.sub.30 is Glu or Cys; R.sub.32 is His or a D-amino acid such as D-His, D-Arg or similar; R.sub.33 is Lys, Orn or Cys. The N-terminus may be extended by Ser-Glu-Glu. Lys may be substituted for Arg.sup.23, and its side chain connected by a lactam bridge to Glu.sup.20 to form a bicyclic peptide. Certain disclosed CRF agonists include:(cyclo 30-33)?Ac-Pro.sup.4, D-Phe.sup.12, Nle.sup.21,38, D-His.sup.32, Glu.sup.30, Lys.sup.33 !r/hCRF(4-41),(cyclo 30-33)?Ac-Pro.sup.4, D-Phe.sup.12, Nle.sup.21,38, D-His.sup.32, Glu.sup.30, Orn.sup.33 !r/hCRF(4-41),(cyclo 30-33)?Ac-Pro.sup.4, D-Phe.sup.12, Nle.sup.21,38, Cys.sup.30,33, D-His.sup.32 !r/hCRF(4-41),(bicyclo 20-23,30-33)?Ac-Pro.sup.4, D-Phe.sup.12, Nle.sup.21,38, Lys.sup.23,33, Glu.sup.30, D-His.sup.

Abstract: Novel cyclic CRF agonist peptides have the amino acid sequence: (cyclo 30-33)Ac-Pro-Pro-Ile-Ser-Leu-Asp-Leu-Thr-D-Phe-His-Leu-Leu-Arg-Glu-Val-Leu -Glu-Nle-Ala-Arg-Ala-Glu-Gln-Leu-Ala-Gln-R.sub.30 -Ala-R.sub.32 -R.sub.33 -Asn-Arg-Lys-Leu-Nle-Glu-Ile-Ile-NH.sub.2 wherein R.sub.30 is Glu or Cys; R.sub.32 is His, D-His or an equivalent .alpha.-amino acid; R.sub.33 is Lys, Orn or Cys. The N-terminus may be extended by Ser-Glu-Glu or shortened by up to three more residues. Lys may be substituted for Arg.sup.23, and its side chain connected by a lactam bridge to Glu.sup.20 to form a bicyclic peptide. Certain disclosed CRF agonists include:(cyclo 30-33)?Ac-Pro.sup.4, D-Phe.sup.12, Nle.sup.21,38, Glu.sup.30, D-His.sup.32, Lys.sup.33 !r/hCRF(4-41),(cyclo 30-33)?Ac-Ser.sup.7, D-Phe.sup.12, Nle.sup.21,38, Glu.sup.30, Lys.sup.33 !r/hCRF(7-41),(cyclo 30-33)?Ac-Ser.sup.7, D-Phe.sup.12, Nle.sup.21,38, Glu.sup.30, D-His.sup.32, Lys.sup.33 !r/hCRF(7-41),(bicyclo 20-23, 30-33)?Ac-Pro.sup.4, D-Phe.sup.12, Nle.sup.21,38, Lys.sup.

Abstract: Novel cyclic CRF antagonist peptides are created by shortening the N-terminus of a CRF family peptide by 8-11 residues and adding an acyl group. CML is preferably present in what would be the 27-position of the native CRF sequence, and D-Tyr may be incorporated at the N-terminus to facilitate labelling. The cyclizing bond is preferably created between the side chains of the residues in positions 30 and 33; but it may alternatively be created between the residues in either of positions 28 and 29 with those in positions 31 and 32 or with those in positions 32 and 33, respectively. The side chain of Lys in position 33 is preferably linked to the side chain of Glu in position 30 by a lactam bridge to form the cyclic peptide. Disclosed CRF antagonists include:(cyclo 30-33) ?Ac-Asp.sup.9, D-Phe.sup.12, Nle.sup.21,38, CML.sup.27,40, Glu.sup.30, Lys.sup.33 !r/hCRF(9-41),(cyclo 30-33) ?Ac-Asp.sup.9, D-Phe.sup.12, Nle.sup.21,38, CML.sup.27,37, Glu.sup.30, Lys.sup.33 !r/hCRF(9-41),(cyclo 30-33) ?Ac-Asp.sup.9, D-Phe.sup.

Abstract: Improved CRF antagonist peptides have the formula: ##STR1## wherein R.sub.30 is Cys or Glu; R.sub.33 is Cys, Lys or Orn; provided that when R.sub.30 is Cys, R.sub.33 is Cys and when R.sub.30 is Glu, R.sub.33 is Lys or Orn. The N-terminus may be extended by Asp-Leu-Thr. Lys may be substituted for Arg.sup.23 and its side chain connected by a lactam bridge to Glu.sup.20 to form a dicyclic peptide. Specific CRF antagonists disclosed include (cyclo 30-33) [D-Phe.sup.12, Nle.sup.21,38, Glu.sup.30, Lys.sup.33 ]rCRF(12-41); (cyclo 30-33) [D-Phe.sup.12, Nle.sup.21,38, Glu.sup.30, Orn.sup.33 ]rCRF(12-41), (cyclo 30-33) [D-Phe.sup.12, Nle.sup.21,38, Cys.sup.30,33 ]rCRF (12-41) and (bicyclo 20-23,30-33) [D-Phe.sup.12, Nle.sup.21,38, Lys.sup.23,33, Glu.sup.30 ]-rCRF(12-41).

Abstract: Disclosed are improved CRF peptide antagonists such as those having the formula: Y-D-Phe-Xaa.sub.13 -Leu-Leu-Arg-Xaa.sub.17 -Xaa.sub.18 -Leu-Xaa.sub.20 -Nle-Xaa.sub.22 -Xaa.sub.23 -Xaa.sub.24 -Xaa.sub.25 -Xaa.sub.26 -Leu-Xaa.sub.28 -Xaa.sub.29 -Gln-Xaa.sub.31 -Xaa.sub.32 -Xaa.sub.33 -Xaa.sub.34 -Arg-Xaa.sub.36 -Xaa.sub.37 -Nle-Xaa.sub.39 -Xaa.sub.40 -Xaa.sub.41 -NH.sub.2 wherein Y is Ac or hydrogen; Xaa.sub.13 is His, Tyr or Glu; Xaa.sub.17 is CML, Glu, Asn or Lys; Xaa.sub.18 is Val, Nle or Met; Xaa.sub.20 is Glu, D-Glu, Aib or D-Ala; Xaa.sub.22 is Ala, Aib, Thr, Asp or Glu; Xaa.sub.23 is Arg, Orn, Har or Lys; Xaa.sub.24 is Ala or Aib; Xaa.sub.25 is Asp or Glu; Xaa.sub.26 is Gln, Asn or Lys; Xaa.sub.28 is Ala or Aib; Xaa.sub.29 is Gln, Aib or Glu, Xaa.sub.31 is Ala or Aib; Xaa.sub.32 is His, Aib, Gly, Tyr or Ala; Xaa.sub.33 is Ser, Aib, Asn, Leu, Thr or Ala; Xaa.sub.34 is Asn or Aib; Xaa.sub.36 is Lys, Orn, Arg, Har or Leu; Xaa.sub.37 is Leu or Tyr; Xaa.sub.39 is Glu, Aib or Asp; Xaa.sub.

Abstract: Analogs of CRF, which are based upon hCRF, oCRF, sauvagine and alpha-helical CRF, are disclosed that can be administered to achieve a substantial elevation of ACTH, .beta.-endorphin, .beta.-lipotropin, other products of the pro-opiomelanocortin gene and corticosterone levels and/or an increase in blood pressure over an extended period of time. One CRF agonist which has been found to be particularly potent is: H-Ser-Gln-Glu-Pro-Pro-Ile-Ser-Leu-Asp-Leu-Thr-D-Phe-His-Leu-Leu-Arg-Glu-Va l-Leu-Glu-Met-Thr-Lys-Ala-Asp-Gln-Leu-Ala-Gln-Gln-Ala-His-Ser-Asn-Arg-Lys-L eu-Leu-Asp-Ile-Ala-NH.sub.2. In these agonist analogs, one or more of the first six N-terminal residues may be deleted and/or the N-terminal alpha-amino group may be acylated by an acylating agent containing up to 7 carbon atoms. A number of other substitutions may also be made throughout the chain.

Abstract: Disclosed are improved CRF peptide antagonists such as those having the formula: Y-D-Phe-R.sub.13 -Leu-Leu-Arg-R.sub.17 -R.sub.18 -Leu-R.sub.20 -Nle-R.sub.22 -R.sub.23 -R.sub.24 -R.sub.25 -R.sub.26 -Leu-R.sub.28 -R.sub.29 -Gln-R.sub.31 -R.sub.32 -R.sub.33 -R.sub.34 -Arg-R.sub.36 -R.sub.37 -Nle-R.sub.39 -R.sub.40 -R.sub.41 -NH.sub.2 wherein Y is Ac or hydrogen; R.sub.13 is His, Tyr or Glu; R.sub.17 is Cys, Glu, Asn or Lys; R.sub.18 is Val, Nle or Met; R.sub.20 is D-Cys, Glu, D-Glu, Aib or D-Ala; R.sub.22 is Ala, Aib, Thr, Asp or Glu; R.sub.23 is Arg, Orn, Har or Lys; R.sub.24 is Ala or Aib; R.sub.25 is Asp or Glu; R.sub.26 is Gln, Asn or Lys; R.sub.28 is Ala or Aib; R.sub.29 is Gln, Aib or Glu, R.sub.31 is Ala or Aib; R.sub.32 is His, Aib, Gly, Tyr or Ala; R.sub.33 is Ser, Aib, Asn, Leu, Thr or Ala; R.sub.34 is Asn or Aib; R.sub.36 is Lys, Orn, Arg, Har or Leu; R.sub.37 is Leu or Try; R.sub.39 is Glu, Aib or Asp; R.sub.40 is Ile, Aib, Thr, Glu, Ala, Val, Leu, Nle, Phe, Nva, Gly or Gln; and R.sub.

Abstract: Analogs of CRF, which are based upon hCRF, oCRF and alpha-helical CRF, are disclosed that can be administered to achieve a substantial elevation of ACTH, .beta.-endorphin, .beta.-lipotropin, other products of the pro-opiomelanocortin gene and corticosterone levels. Analogs include those having the formula: Y-R.sub.1 -R.sub.2 -R.sub.3 -R.sub.4 -R.sub.5 -Ile-Ser-Leu-Asp-Leu-Thr-Phe-His-Leu-Leu-Arg-Glu-Val-Leu-R.sub.20 -R.sub.21 -R.sub.22 -R.sub.23 -R.sub.24 -R.sub.25 -Gln-Leu-Ala-Gln-Gln-Ala-R.sub.32 -Ser-Asn-Arg-Lys-Leu-R.sub.38 -R.sub.39 -Ile-R.sub.41 -NH.sub.2, wherein Y is an acyl group having 7 or fewer carbon atoms or hydrogen; R.sub.1 is Ser or desR.sub.1 ; R.sub.2 is Glu, Gln or desR.sub.2 ; R.sub.3 is Glu or desR.sub.3 ; R.sub.4 is Pro or desR.sub.4 ; R.sub.5 is Pro or desR.sub.5 ; R.sub.20 is Ala or Glu; R.sub.21 is Met or Nle; R.sub.22 is Ala or Thr; R.sub.23 is Arg or Lys; R.sub.24 is D-Ala or Ala; R.sub.25 is Glu or Asp; R.sub.32 is D-His or His; R.sub.38 is Met, Nle or Leu; R.sub.

Abstract: Novel peptides having substantially the amino acid sequence:X-Gly-Asn-Gly-Asp-Glu-Gln-Pro-Leu-Thr-Y,where X is H, a single amino acid or a short-chain peptide and Y is OH, NH.sub.2, a single aminoacid or a short-chain peptide. These peptides have natriuretic and diuretic activity.

Abstract: Agonists and antagonists of rCRF are disclosed that exhibit good binding affinity to CRF receptors. One exemplary agonist is: H-Ser-Gln-Glu-Pro-Pro-Ile-Ser- Leu-Asp-Leu-Thr-Phe-His-Leu-Leu-Arg-Glu-Met-Leu-Glu-Met- Ala-Arg-Ala-Glu-Gln-Glu-Ala-Glu-Gln-Ala-Ala-Leu-Asn-Arg- Leu-Leu-Leu-Glu-Glu-Ala-NH.sub.2. In the agonists, one or more of the first five N-terminal residues may be deleted or may be substituted by a peptide up to 10 amino acids long. A number of other substitutions may also be made throughout the chain. Similar peptides which function as CRF antagonists are created by deleting the first 7, 8 or 9 N-terminal residues. These analogs are coupled to a cytotoxin, such as gelonin, by a dialdehyde or the like, e.g., glutaraldehyde. The conjugates may be used to eliminate CRF Target Cells, and thus to regulate secretion of ACTH, .beta.-lipotropin and the like.

Abstract: Several known members of the corticotropin releasing factor (CRF) family have been synthesized and tested, including human and rat CRF which have the formula: H-Ser-Glu-Glu-Pro-Pro-Ile-Ser-Leu-Asp-Leu-Thr-Phe-His- Leu-Leu-Arg-Glu-Val-Leu-Glu-Met-Ala-Arg-Ala-Glu-Gln- Leu-Ala-Gln-Gln-Ala-His-Ser-Asn-Arg-Lys-Leu-Met-Glu- Ile-Ile-NH.sub.2. Peptides are herein disclosed that are potent competitive antagonists of CRF in mammals. One which has been found to be particularly potent is: H-D-Phe-His-Leu-Leu-Arg-Glu-Val-Leu-Glu-Nle-Ala- Arg-Ala-Glu-Gln-Leu-Ala-Gln-Gln-Ala-His-Ser-Asn- Arg-Lys-Leu-Nle-Glu-Ile-Ile-NH.sub.2. One that has shown particularly prolonged duration of potency is: H-D-Phe-His-Leu-Leu-Arg-Glu-Val-Leu-Glu-Nle-Ala- Arg-Ala-Glu-Gln-Leu-Ala-Gln-Gln-Ala-His-Ser-Asn- Arg-Lys-CML-Nle-Glu-Ile-Ile-NH.sub.2.