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FLASH GENE
Symbol UCN contributors: mct - updated : 07-12-2012
HGNC name urocortin
HGNC id 12516
PROTEIN
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
STRUCTURE
motifs/domains
isoforms Precursor
HOMOLOGY
interspecies homolog to rattus Unc
intraspecies homolog to to urotensin 1 (63 p100)
Homologene
FAMILY sauvagine/corticotropin-releasing factor/urotensin I family
CATEGORY regulatory , receptor membrane G
SUBCELLULAR LOCALIZATION extracellular
basic FUNCTION
  • endogenous CRF-like factor in the brain responsible for the effects of stress on appetite
  • anti-inflammatory in gastric mucosa
  • involved in phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)-dependent pathway and activation of Ca2+-activated K+ channels
  • potent peptide inhibitor of feeding behavior, that can enter the brain from blood by leptin-facilitated permeation across the blood-brain barrier
  • capable of maintaining adequate nigrostriatal function, via CRHR1 following a neuro-inflammatory challenge
  • may be a protective agent on endothelial function, benefiting endothelium by increasing endothelium-derived relaxing and decreasing contracting factors
  • inhibited the proliferation and promoted the apoptosis of endothelial cells and down-regulated VEGF expression via CRHR2 in hepatocellular carcinoma
  • might also be a double-edged sword because of its beneficial and detrimental influence to endothelium
  • produced during the development of MSCs to osteoblasts and differentially regulated during culture as well as by differentiation factors
  • cardioprotective and vasoactive peptide involved in cardiac regulation
  • role of urocortin in normal cardiovascular physiology and in the pathophysiology of heart failure
  • CRH and urocortin (UCN) are neuropeptides produced by human endometrium and modulate endometrial decidualization (
  • CELLULAR PROCESS
    PHYSIOLOGICAL PROCESS inflammation
    PATHWAY
    metabolism
    signaling
    a component
    INTERACTION
    DNA
    RNA
    small molecule
    protein
  • ligand with high affinity of CRHR2
  • effects of UCN are mediated via stimulation of CRF-receptors 1 and 2 (CRHR1 and CRHR2) with a high affinity for CRHR2
  • UTS2 and UCN stimulate the expression of MSTN (
  • in melanoma cells both CRH and UCN regulate TYRP1 gene expression via NR4A2/NR4A1 production, independent of pro-opiomelanocortin or alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone stimulation
  • cell & other
    REGULATION
    ASSOCIATED DISORDERS
    corresponding disease(s)
    Other morbid association(s)
    TypeGene ModificationChromosome rearrangementProtein expressionProtein Function
    constitutional     --low  
    impaired endometrial expression of CRH and UCN mRNA in endometriosis
    constitutional     --over  
    plasma concentrations of UCN significantly increased in patients with HF (heart failure) and UCN may participate in the neurohumoral response of heart failure
    Susceptibility
    Variant & Polymorphism
    Candidate gene
    Marker for heart failure (plasma concentrations of UCN significantly increased in patients with heart failure)
    Therapy target
    SystemTypeDisorderPubmed
    neurologyneurodegenerativeParkinson/dementia Parkinsonism
    potential therapeutic implications in PD.
    ANIMAL & CELL MODELS