Biomaterial Database

Regulatory mechanisms of corticotropin-releasing hormone and vasopressin gene expression in the hypothalamus. 2004

K Itoi, and Y-Q Jiang, and Y Iwasaki, and S J Watson

Laboratory of Information Biology, Graduate School of Information Sciences, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan. itoik@mail.tains.tohoku.ac.jp

Tuberoinfundibular corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) neurones are the principal regulators of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA)-axis. Vasopressin is primarily a neurohypophysial hormone, produced in magnocellular neurones of the hypothalamic paraventricular and supraoptic nuclei, but parvocellular CRH neurones also coexpress vasopressin, which acts as a second 'releasing factor' for adrenocorticotropic hormone along with CRH. All stress inputs converge on these hypothalamic neuroendocrine neurones, and the input signals are integrated to determine the output secretion of CRH and vasopressin. Aminergic, cholinergic, GABAergic, glutamatergic and a number of peptidergic inputs have all been implicated in the regulation of CRH/vasopressin neurones. Glucocorticoids inhibit the HPA-axis activity by negative feedback. Interleukin-1 stimulates CRH and vasopressin gene expression, and is implicated in immune-neuroendocrine regulation. cAMP-response element-binding protein phosphorylation may mediate transcriptional activation of both CRH and vasopressin genes, but the roles of AP-1 and other transcription factors remain controversial. Expression profiles of the CRH and vasopressin genes are not uniform after stress exposure, and the vasopressin gene appears to be more sensitive to glucocorticoid suppression.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D007031	Hypothalamus	Ventral part of the DIENCEPHALON extending from the region of the OPTIC CHIASM to the caudal border of the MAMMILLARY BODIES and forming the inferior and lateral walls of the THIRD VENTRICLE.	Lamina Terminalis,Preoptico-Hypothalamic Area,Area, Preoptico-Hypothalamic,Areas, Preoptico-Hypothalamic,Preoptico Hypothalamic Area,Preoptico-Hypothalamic Areas
D003346	Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone	A peptide of about 41 amino acids that stimulates the release of ADRENOCORTICOTROPIC HORMONE. CRH is synthesized by neurons in the PARAVENTRICULAR NUCLEUS of the HYPOTHALAMUS. After being released into the pituitary portal circulation, CRH stimulates the release of ACTH from the PITUITARY GLAND. CRH can also be synthesized in other tissues, such as PLACENTA; ADRENAL MEDULLA; and TESTIS.	ACTH-Releasing Hormone,CRF-41,Corticotropin-Releasing Factor,Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone-41,ACTH-Releasing Factor,CRF (ACTH),Corticoliberin,Corticotropin-Releasing Factor-41,ACTH Releasing Factor,ACTH Releasing Hormone,Corticotropin Releasing Factor,Corticotropin Releasing Factor 41,Corticotropin Releasing Hormone,Corticotropin Releasing Hormone 41
D000818	Animals	Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA.	Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D014667	Vasopressins	Antidiuretic hormones released by the NEUROHYPOPHYSIS of all vertebrates (structure varies with species) to regulate water balance and OSMOLARITY. In general, vasopressin is a nonapeptide consisting of a six-amino-acid ring with a cysteine 1 to cysteine 6 disulfide bridge or an octapeptide containing a CYSTINE. All mammals have arginine vasopressin except the pig with a lysine at position 8. Vasopressin, a vasoconstrictor, acts on the KIDNEY COLLECTING DUCTS to increase water reabsorption, increase blood volume and blood pressure.	Antidiuretic Hormone,Antidiuretic Hormones,beta-Hypophamine,Pitressin,Vasopressin,Vasopressin (USP),Hormone, Antidiuretic,beta Hypophamine
D015870	Gene Expression	The phenotypic manifestation of a gene or genes by the processes of GENETIC TRANSCRIPTION and GENETIC TRANSLATION.	Expression, Gene,Expressions, Gene,Gene Expressions