氨基酸序列 Ser-Gln-Glu-Pro-Pro-Ile-S?er-Leu-Asp-Leu-Thr-Phe-Hi?s-Leu-Leu-Arg-Glu-Val-Leu?-Glu-Met-Thr-Lys-Ala-Asp-?Gln-Leu-Ala-Gln-Gln-Ala-H?is-Asn-Asn-Arg-Lys-Leu-Le?u-Asp-Ile-Ala Corticotropin Releasing Factor,bovine, (C206H340N60O63S1), a peptide with the sequence H2N-SQEPPISLDLTFHLLREVLEMTKADQLAQQAHNNRKLLDIA-amide, MW= 4697.4. Corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) also known as corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) is a peptide hormone and neurotransmitter involved in the stress response. It belongs to corticotropin-releasing factor family(1). Its main function is the stimulation of the pituitary synthesis of ACTH.Corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) is a 41-amino acid peptide derived from a 196-amino acid preprohormone. CRH is secreted by the paraventricular nucleus (PVN) of the hypothalamus in response to stress. Increased CRH production has been observed to be associated with Alzheimer"s disease and major depression(2), and autosomal recessive hypothalamic corticotropin deficiency has multiple and potentially fatal metabolic consequences including hypoglycemia and hepatitis. In addition to being produced in the hypothalamus, CRH is also synthesized in peripheral tissues, such as T lymphocytes, and is highly expressed in the placenta. In the placenta, CRH is a marker that determines the length of gestation and the timing of parturition and delivery. A rapid increase in circulating levels of CRH occurs at the onset of parturition, suggesting that, in addition to its metabolic functions, CRH may act as a trigger for parturition.