CRF: its regulation of ACTH and pro-opiomelanocortin peptide release and its extra hypothalamic occurrence

CRF-41 and vasopressin are the major part of the hypothalamic complex responsible for the release of ACTH. The potentiated response of the corticotroph to mixtures of the peptides and their co-localization in the same neurosecretory vesicles would indicate their obligatory co-secretion in many stress situations. The occurrence of CRF at peripheral sites especially in the placenta and in the plasma of women in their third trimester of pregnancy is suggestive of further roles for this peptide although care should be exercised in interpreting simple immunohistochemical staining in certain tissues. When ACTH is released from the pituitary several other peptides which form part of its precursor are co-released. The effect of these peptides on the adrenal gland and the way their activity is expressed has led to a post-secretional proteolytic control mechanism being proposed.