Urocortin
Sign in to saveAlso known as uniprot:P55089, urocortin, preproprotein, UCN, prepro-urocortin
Urocortin is a protein that in humans is encoded by the UCN gene. Urocortin belongs to the corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) family of proteins which includes CRF, urotensin I, sauvagine, urocortin II and urocortin III. Urocortin is involved in the mammalian stress response, and regulates aspects of appetite and stress response.
Protein · UniProt
Urocortin
- Gene
- UCN
- Organism
- Homo sapiens (Human)
- Length
- 124 aa
- Molecular mass
- 13,458 Da
- Evidence
- 1: Evidence at protein level
Hormone that plays a central role in whole body adaptation to stress (PubMed:20966082, PubMed:24290358, PubMed:32004470, PubMed:36335102, PubMed:8612563). Released by the hypothalamus primarily in response to physical or psychological stress and acts by binding to CRH receptors CRHR1 and CRHR2 (PubMed:24290358, PubMed:26350463, PubMed:32004470, PubMed:36335102, PubMed:8612563). UCN-dependent signaling is a primary mediator of the neuroendocrine, autonomic (fight-or-flight) and behavioral responses to stress, acting as a key regulator of adaptation by activating the hypothalamus-pituitary-ad…
Swiss-Prot (reviewed) · via UniProt
Clinical Trials
7 registered- UNKNOWNComparison Between Urocortin 2 and Brain Type Natriuretic PeptideAssiut University · NCT05115552
- NACOMPLETEDEffects of Urocortins on Forearm Arterial Blood Flow in Healthy Volunteers (Protocol 3)University of Edinburgh · NCT01096706
- COMPLETEDEffect of Temperature on Pain and Brown Adipose Activity in FibromyalgiaUniversity of Minnesota · NCT01322425
- NACOMPLETEDEffects of Urocortins on Forearm Arterial Blood Flow in Healthy VolunteersUniversity of Edinburgh · NCT01049542
- NACOMPLETEDEffects of Urocortins on Forearm Arterial Blood Flow in Healthy Volunteers - Protocol 4University of Edinburgh · NCT01296607
- NACOMPLETEDEffect of Urocortins in Patients With Heart FailureUniversity of Edinburgh · NCT01599728
~4 min read
Article
7 sectionsContents
- Structure, localization, and interactions
- Stress response and social behavior
- Cardiovascular effects
- In non-mammals
- References
- Further reading
- External links
Urocortin is a protein that in humans is encoded by the UCN gene. Urocortin belongs to the corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) family of proteins which includes CRF, urotensin I, sauvagine, urocortin II and urocortin III. Urocortin is involved in the mammalian stress response, and regulates aspects of appetite and stress response.
== Structure, localization, and interactions == Urocortin is a peptide composed of 40 amino acids. Urocortin is composed of a single alpha helix structure. The human UCN gene contains two exons, and the entirety of the coding region is contained within the second exon. Urocortin is expressed widely in the central and peripheral nervous systems, with a pattern similar to that of CRF. Areas of similarity between urocortin and CRF expression include the supraoptic nucleus and the hippocampus. Urocortin is also expressed in areas distinct from CRF expression; these areas notably include the median eminence, the Edinger-Westphal nucleus, and the sphenoid nucleus. Additionally, Urocortin is expressed in peripheral tissues such as the heart.