A Reproductive Health Seminar Series talk by Professor Dimitris Grammatopoulos titled "Dissecting the multifaceted actions of corticotropin - releasing hormone (CRH) in cell biology and human pathophysiology".

Abstract

The hypothalamic peptide corticotropin –releasing hormone (CRH) is one of the most important mediators of the stress response, coordinating the adaptive physiological responses that involve the autonomic, endocrine, immune, cardiovascular and reproductive systems and induce a wide spectrum of behavioural and homeostatic changes. CRH and other “stress peptides” such as the urocortins (Ucn) activate two types of heptahelical G-protein coupled receptors. The CRH-Rs signalling characteristics are regulated by a plethora of mechanisms that offer considerable signalling plasticity that allows them to exert unique roles in the integration of homeostatic mechanisms. Novel actions of CRH in energy balance and metabolism, cancer, and reproduction have been described, and we only now begin to unravel the diverse transcriptional and post-translational mechanisms developed to tightly control CRH-R activity and cellular responses.