| abstract |
CRF (Corticotropin Releasing Factor) has the formula: n H-Ser-Gln-Glu-Pro-Pro-Ile-Ser-Leu-Asp-Leu-Thr-Phe-His-Leu-Leu-Arg-Glu-Val-Leu-Glu-Met-Thr-Lys-Ala-Asp-Gln-Leu-Ala-Gln-Gln-Ala-His-Ser-Asn-Arg-Lys-Leu-Leu-Asp-Ile-Ala-NH 2 . n Analogs have been synthesized that are at least as potent as CRF, and CRF or these analogs or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, dispersed in a pharmaceutically acceptable liquid or solid carrier, can be administered to mammals to achieve a substantial elevation of ACTH, β-endorphin, β-lipotropin and corticosterone levels and/or a lowering of blood pressure over an extended period of time. In the analogs, one or more of the first three N-terminal residues may be deleted or may be substituted by a peptide up to 10 amino acids long and/or by an acylating agent containing up to 7 carbon atoms. Ala in the 41-position may also be substituted or deleted so long as the remaining C-terminus is amidated. Several other substitutions may also be made throughout the chain. |