CRF system is comprised of 4 homologous lineages, 2 main receptors (CRF-R1 and CRF-R2), and a binding protein CRF-BP. The homologous lineages are corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF), urotensin I (UI)/sauvagine (SVG)/urocortin 1 (UCN1), urocortin 2 (UCN2), and urocortin 3 (UCN3), and UI, SVG, UCN1 are orthologous genes. CRF system genes are widely distributed in the brain and gastrointestinal tract, which may relate to feeding regulation. According the research progress about CRF system on mammals and non-mammals, this paper summarized the discovery, structure, tissue distribution, appetite regulation and mechanism of CRF system in animals, which can provide the reference for further research and production of feeding regulation and growth in mammals and fish species.
Keywords: CRF; CRF receptors; CRF-BP; Feeding mechanisms; Food intake; UCNs.
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