On the role of urocortin 1 in the non-preganglionic Edinger-Westphal nucleus in stress adaptation. 2007

Tamás Kozicz
Department of Cellular Animal Physiology, Faculty of Science, Integrative Physiology, EURON European Graduate School of Neuroscience, Radboud University Nijmegen, Toernooiveld 1, 6525 ED Nijmegen, The Netherlands. tkozicz2000@yahoo.com

The discovery of novel members of the CRF neuropeptide family, urocortin 1 (Ucn1), urocortin 2 and 3 has provided important insights into stress adaptation pathways, and predicted that stress adaptation involves more systems than the HPA-axis alone. This mini-review aims to summarize our recent data and research by others indicating that an important role is played by Ucn1 in the non-preganglionic Edinger-Westphal nucleus (npEW). These results point to an intriguing possibility that CRF/Ucn1 neuronal circuits comprise two separate, but functionally interrelated entities, which are coordinately regulated by acute stressors, but are inversely coupled during chronic stress. Such collaboration between the two systems would implicate a very important role of Ucn1 in adaptation to stress, and, as a consequence, in stress-related disorders like anxiety, major depression and use of drugs of abuse.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008636 Mesencephalon The middle of the three primitive cerebral vesicles of the embryonic brain. Without further subdivision, midbrain develops into a short, constricted portion connecting the PONS and the DIENCEPHALON. Midbrain contains two major parts, the dorsal TECTUM MESENCEPHALI and the ventral TEGMENTUM MESENCEPHALI, housing components of auditory, visual, and other sensorimoter systems. Midbrain,Mesencephalons,Midbrains
D008954 Models, Biological Theoretical representations that simulate the behavior or activity of biological processes or diseases. For disease models in living animals, DISEASE MODELS, ANIMAL is available. Biological models include the use of mathematical equations, computers, and other electronic equipment. Biological Model,Biological Models,Model, Biological,Models, Biologic,Biologic Model,Biologic Models,Model, Biologic
D008969 Molecular Sequence Data Descriptions of specific amino acid, carbohydrate, or nucleotide sequences which have appeared in the published literature and/or are deposited in and maintained by databanks such as GENBANK, European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL), National Biomedical Research Foundation (NBRF), or other sequence repositories. Sequence Data, Molecular,Molecular Sequencing Data,Data, Molecular Sequence,Data, Molecular Sequencing,Sequencing Data, Molecular
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
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000220 Adaptation, Biological Changes in biological features that help an organism cope with its ENVIRONMENT. These changes include physiological (ADAPTATION, PHYSIOLOGICAL), phenotypic and genetic changes. Adaptation, Biologic,Biological Adaptation,Biologic Adaptation
D000428 Alcohol Drinking Behaviors associated with the ingesting of ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES, including social drinking. Alcohol Consumption,Alcohol Intake,Drinking, Alcohol,Alcohol Drinking Habits,Alcohol Drinking Habit,Alcohol Intakes,Consumption, Alcohol,Drinking Habit, Alcohol,Habit, Alcohol Drinking,Habits, Alcohol Drinking,Intake, Alcohol
D000595 Amino Acid Sequence The order of amino acids as they occur in a polypeptide chain. This is referred to as the primary structure of proteins. It is of fundamental importance in determining PROTEIN CONFORMATION. Protein Structure, Primary,Amino Acid Sequences,Sequence, Amino Acid,Sequences, Amino Acid,Primary Protein Structure,Primary Protein Structures,Protein Structures, Primary,Structure, Primary Protein,Structures, Primary Protein
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
D001007 Anxiety Feelings or emotions of dread, apprehension, and impending disaster but not disabling as with ANXIETY DISORDERS. Angst,Anxiousness,Hypervigilance,Nervousness,Social Anxiety,Anxieties, Social,Anxiety, Social,Social Anxieties

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