Corticorelin

Also known as Corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH)

A synthetic 41-amino acid peptide identical to human CRH, used in research to investigate HPA axis regulation and stress response mechanisms.

Length: 41 amino acids
Half-life: Biphasic plasma elimination; initial phase ~8-16 minutes
Mechanism: Corticorelin is a synthetic form of human corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) that binds to CRH receptors (CRHR1 and CRHR2) in the anterior pituitary to stimulate the synthesis and release of ACTH.
Studied in: It is used in neuroscience and endocrinology research to study the HPA axis, stress responses, and the regulation of pituitary hormone secretion in cell and tissue models.

About Corticorelin

Corticorelin is a synthetic polypeptide identical in structure to the endogenous human corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH). This 41-amino acid peptide is the principal regulator of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. Its primary action is to bind to and activate CRH receptors, particularly the CRHR1 subtype located on corticotroph cells in the anterior pituitary gland.

Upon receptor binding, corticorelin initiates a signaling cascade that leads to the synthesis and secretion of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) into systemic circulation. In research, corticorelin is an indispensable tool for probing the function and regulation of the HPA axis. It allows for controlled stimulation of the pituitary, enabling studies on feedback mechanisms, receptor dynamics, and cellular responses to stress signals in in vitro systems. It is also a reference compound with a clinical history.

Laboratory notes

Corticorelin is a known 'sticky' peptide; use low-retention labware and consider pre-treating surfaces with a blocking agent like BSA for quantitative experiments.
Solutions are stable for short periods when refrigerated; for long-term storage, aliquot and freeze at -20°C or -80°C.
Its activity in biological fluids can be modulated by CRH-binding protein (CRH-BP), a factor to consider in experimental design.

Storage and reconstitution basics: storage guide.

Questions about Corticorelin

What is Corticorelin's primary receptor target?

Corticorelin primarily targets the corticotropin-releasing hormone receptor type 1 (CRHR1) in the anterior pituitary.

Is Corticorelin the same as endogenous CRH?

Yes, Corticorelin is the synthetic version of human CRH, sharing the same 41-amino acid sequence.

Why is Corticorelin used in HPA axis research?

It provides a specific and reproducible stimulus to the pituitary corticotrophs, allowing researchers to isolate and study this step in the HPA cascade.

Is Corticorelin for human use?

No. It is supplied strictly for in-vitro laboratory research and is not for human or animal consumption.

Related research peptides

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