BRAIN-DERIVED MEMBRANE-ASSOCIATED CRF BINDING PROTEINS

摘要

Isolated, substantially pure mammalian brain-derived membrane-associated CRF-binding proteins and biologically active fragments thereof are provided as well as isolated and purified DNA fragments which encode the CRF binding proteins or biologically active fragments thereof or homologs of other mammalian species. By administering an amount of such CRF binding protein or a fragment thereof effective to modulate receptor activation, it is possible to modulate the action of CRF upon (a) the brain and nervous system, (b) the pituitary particularly for production of ACTH, beta endorphin and cortisol, (c) sites of inflammation, (d) the placenta, (e) the adrenal glands, (f) the gonads or (g) the gastrointestinal tract. Administration of an N-terminal fragment of the protein increases the binding site density for CRF and thus modulates its biological effect in vivo.