Chen et al. (1993) reported the cloning of a cDNA coding for a CRH receptor from a human corticotropic tumor library.
The cloned cDNA encoded a 415-amino acid protein comprising 7 putative membrane-spanning domains. It was
structurally related to the calcitonin/vasoactive intestinal peptide/growth hormone-releasing hormone subfamily of G
protein-coupled receptors.
NCBI Summary:
The corticotropin-releasing hormone receptor binds to corticotropin-releasing hormone (MIM 122560), a potent mediator of endocrine, autonomic, behavioral, and immune responses to stress.[supplied by OMIM]
Corticotropin-releasing hormone inhibits in vitro oocyte maturation in mice. Kiapekou E et al. The expression of corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) receptor 1 messenger RNA in stages of follicle growth was examined by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction in long-term cultures of early preantral mouse follicles with and without CRH addition. Corticotropin-releasing hormone receptor 1 is present in stages of mouse follicle growth, whereas 10(-9), 10(-7), and 10(-6) mol/L CRH inhibits oocyte maturation in vitro, an effect reversed by antalarmin addition.
Expression regulated by
Comment
Ovarian localization
Theca, Luteal cells
Comment
Asakura H, et al 1997 reported the expression of genes encoding corticotropin-releasing factor
(CRF), type 1 CRF receptor, and CRF-binding protein in the human ovary.
Normal ovaries from 10 premenopausal
women undergoing hysterectomy with ovariectomy were used in the analyses.
Immunoreactive CRF (IrCRF) and its mRNA were localized in thecal cells of small antral and mature
follicles. A low abundance of IrCRF and mRNA was also detected in stromal
cells of both stages of follicles. Expression of the gene encoding CRF was more
prominent in mature follicles than in small antral follicles. CRF-Receptor 1 (R1) mRNA signal
was found exclusively in thecal cells of mature follicles and moderately in small
antral follicles. Granulosa cells were devoid of CRF and CRF-R1 mRNAs and
proteins. The IrCRF-BP, but not its transcript, was detected in thecal cells and
luman of capillary vessels of the thecal/stromal compartment of mature follicles.
It was concluded
that the thecal compartment of the human ovary contains a CRF system endowed
with CRF and CRF-R1 and the blood-derived CRF-BP. Granulosa cells are
devoid of the CRF system. The parallel increases in intensity of CRF, CRF-R1,
and 17 alpha-hydroxylase proteins and gene expression with follicular maturation
suggest that the intraovarian CRF system may play an autocrine role in androgen
biosynthesis with a downstream effect on estrogen production by the granulosa
cells.
Follicle stages
Antral, Preovulatory, Corpus luteum
Comment
Yasunari Muramatsu, et al 2001 reported urocortin and Corticotropin-Releasing Factor (CRH) Receptor Expression in
Normal Cycling Human Ovaries.
In this study the authors examined urocortin and CRF receptor
expression in
normal cycling human ovaries, using immunohistochemistry and RT-PCR. Normal
cycling human
ovaries were obtained at oophorectomy and hysterectomy from patients who
underwent surgery
for cervical cancer or myoma uteri. RT-PCR analyses revealed that messenger ribonucleic acid levels for
urocortin, CRF,
and CRF receptor type 1 and type 2 were significantly higher in the regressing
corpus luteum
than in the functioning corpus luteum. These results suggest that
urocortin is locally
synthesized in steroidogenic luteal cells and acts on them as an autocrine
and/or paracrine
regulator of ovarian steroidogenesis, especially during luteal regression.
Phenotypes
Mutations
1 mutations
Species: mouse
Mutation name: None
type: null mutation fertility: fertile Comment:Timpl et al. (1998) showed that in mice in whom the Crhr1 gene had been disrupted, the medulla of the adrenal gland is
atrophied and stress-induced release of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and corticosterone is reduced. The
homozygous mutants exhibited increased exploratory activity and reduced anxiety-related behavior under both basal
conditions and following alcohol withdrawal. The results demonstrated a key role of the Crhr1 receptor in mediating
the stress response and anxiety-related behavior.