Description
Urocortin III is an endogenous peptide ligand and member of the corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) family; it binds and activates CRF type 2 receptors. Urocortin III is expressed primarily in brain regions such as the hypothalamus (specifically the pituitary gland), but is also present in heart, kidney (adrenal glands), and gastrointestinal tissues. Urocortin III modulates stress responses and exhibits anorexigenic, anxiogenic, anxiolytic, and positive inotropic effects across a wide variety of in vivo models.