Molecular biology of the CRH receptors - in the mood

Dysfunctioning of corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) and its receptors (CRH1 and CRH2) has been linked to the development of stress-related disorders. such as mood and eating disorders. The molecular characterization of CRH1 and CRH2 receptors and their splice variants has generated detailed information on their pharmacology, tissue distribution and physiology. While mammalian CRH1 receptors nonselectively bind CRH analogs. the ligand specificity of CRH2 is narrower. CRH1 receptors are predominantly expressed in the bt ain and pituitary, whereas CRH2 receptor expression is limited to particular brain areas and to some peripheral organs. Molecular approaches to block CRH1 receptor expression in the brain argue in favor of its involvement in the regulation of some aspects of the stress response. The CRH2 alpha receptor may be more important for motivational types of behavior essential for survival, such as feeding and defense. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserved.