Urocortin targets CRF receptors, with high affinity for CRF2 receptors. It shows Ki values of 0.4 nM for human CRF1, 0.3 nM for rat CRF2α, and 0.5 nM for mouse CRF2β. It is a selective agonist of the endogenous CRF2 receptor.

Urocortin, human, is a selective agonist of the CRF2 receptor, having Kis of 0.4, 0.3, and 0.5 nM for human CRF1, rat CRF2α, and mouse CRF2β receptors in cellular experiments, respectively [1].
In vitro, urocortin binds to CRF receptors with high affinity, as demonstrated by Ki values in the sub-nanomolar range. It activates downstream signaling pathways upon receptor binding, including cAMP production. It has been shown to affect cancer cell migration via CRFR2.

In both food-deprived and non-food-deprived rats, urocortin (0.01 to 10 μg) decreased food intake; mice injected with 1 μg of urocortin also showed this effect. Anxious behavior may be induced by urocortin [2].
In vivo, urocortin plays a role in stress response modulation and regulation of various physiological processes. In animal models, it decreases food intake in rats and mice. It induces exploratory behavior and increases time spent eating food pellets. It also decreases brain stimulation reward in rats.

Receptor binding assays are performed using membranes from cells expressing human CRF1, rat CRF2α, or mouse CRF2β receptors. Radiolabeled CRF or urocortin is used as a tracer. Various concentrations of unlabeled urocortin are added, and bound radioactivity is measured after filtration. Ki values are calculated from competition binding curves.

Cells expressing CRF receptors (e.g., HEK293 cells transfected with CRFR1 or CRFR2) are cultured. Cells are treated with urocortin, and cAMP levels are measured using ELISA or radioimmunoassay. Receptor activation is also assessed by measuring downstream signaling markers such as ERK phosphorylation via Western blot.

In vivo studies use rodent models (rats or mice). Urocortin is administered via intracerebroventricular (ICV) injection or intravenous injection. Food intake is monitored over several hours. Behavioral tests such as open field or elevated plus maze are used to assess anxiety-like behavior. Plasma ACTH levels are measured to assess neuroendocrine effects.

Urocortin (MW 4696.24) is a peptide that is typically administered via injection due to poor oral bioavailability. It is metabolized by peptidases in the blood and tissues. Its half-life in circulation is relatively short. Detailed pharmacokinetic parameters are not extensively documented.

Urocortin is generally well-tolerated in animal studies at pharmacological doses. No significant toxicity has been reported. Comprehensive toxicological profiles are not extensively documented. It is a naturally occurring peptide and is considered to have low toxicity.

[1]. Corticotropin-releasing factor receptors 1 and 2 in anxiety and depression. Curr Opin Pharmacol. 2002 Feb;2(1):23-33.

[2]. The neurobiology of urocortin. Regul Pept. 2000 Sep 25;93(1-3):85-92.

Urocortin, human is a research peptide used to study the CRF system, stress responses, and feeding behavior. It is not an approved drug and is not in clinical trials as a therapeutic agent. It is also known as Human urocortin 1 or Human urocortin I. The sequence is DNPSLSIDLTFHLLRTLLELARTQSQRERAEQNRIIFDSV-NH2.

C204H337N63O64

4696.24227999996

4695.512

176591-49-4

90479813

White to off-white solid powder

74

165

331

11700

46

[H]/N=C(/NCCC[C@@H](C(N[C@H](C(N[C@H](C(N[C@H](C(N[C@H](C(N[C@H](C(N[C@H](C(N[C@H](C(N[C@H](C(N[C@H](C(N[C@H](C(N[C@H](C(N[C@H](C(N[C@H](C(N[C@H](C(N[C@H](C(N[C@H](C(N[C@H](C(N[C@H](C(=O)N)C(C)C)=O)CO)=O)CC(=O)O)=O)CC1=CC=CC=C1)=O)[C@H](CC)C)=O)[C@H](CC)C)=O)CCCN/C(=N/[H])/N)=O)CC(=O)N)=O)CCC(=O)N)=O)CCC(=O)O)=O)C)=O)CCCN/C(=N/[H])/N)=O)CCC(=O)O)=O)CCCN/C(=N/[H])/N)=O)CCC(=O)N)=O)CO)=O)CCC(=O)N)=O)[C@H](O)C)=O)NC([C@@H](NC([C@@H](NC([C@@H](NC([C@@H](NC([C@@H](NC([C@H]([C@H](O)C)NC([C@@H](NC([C@@H](NC([C@@H](NC([C@@H](NC([C@@H](NC([C@H]([C@H](O)C)NC([C@@H](NC([C@@H](NC([C@H]([C@H](CC)C)NC([C@@H](NC([C@@H](NC([C@@H](NC([C@H]1N(C([C@@H](NC([C@H](CC(=O)O)N)=O)CC(=O)N)=O)CCC1)=O)CO)=O)CC(C)C)=O)CO)=O)=O)CC(=O)O)=O)CC(C)C)=O)=O)CC1=CC=CC=C1)=O)CC1N=CNC=1)=O)CC(C)C)=O)CC(C)C)=O)CCCN/C(=N/[H])/N)=O)=O)CC(C)C)=O)CC(C)C)=O)CCC(=O)O)=O)CC(C)C)=O)C)=O)\N

BIIOOWPFSOAZSO-WODJFTBTSA-N

InChI=1S/C204H337N63O64/c1-28-100(20)154(262-191(323)140(90-271)257-180(312)127(75-96(12)13)247-189(321)138(88-269)259-192(324)141-52-42-70-267(141)199(331)136(83-146(210)279)255-163(295)111(205)81-150(286)287)193(325)254-135(85-152(290)291)185(317)246-129(77-98(16)17)187(319)266-159(107(27)274)198(330)253-131(79-109-45-35-32-36-46-109)181(313)248-132(80-110-86-222-91-228-110)183(315)245-126(74-95(10)11)178(310)243-124(72-93(6)7)176(308)235-116(51-41-69-227-204(220)221)174(306)265-158(106(26)273)197(329)251-128(76-97(14)15)179(311)244-125(73-94(8)9)177(309)239-122(58-64-149(284)285)170(302)242-123(71-92(4)5)175(307)230-104(24)161(293)231-114(49-39-67-225-202(216)217)173(305)264-157(105(25)272)196(328)241-119(55-61-144(208)277)171(303)256-137(87-268)188(320)240-117(53-59-142(206)275)166(298)234-113(48-38-66-224-201(214)215)165(297)238-121(57-63-148(282)283)168(300)233-112(47-37-65-223-200(212)213)164(296)229-103(23)162(294)232-120(56-62-147(280)281)167(299)237-118(54-60-143(207)276)169(301)249-133(82-145(209)278)184(316)236-115(50-40-68-226-203(218)219)172(304)261-156(102(22)30-3)195(327)263-155(101(21)29-2)194(326)252-130(78-108-43-33-31-34-44-108)182(314)250-134(84-151(288)289)186(318)258-139(89-270)190(322)260-153(99(18)19)160(211)292/h31-36,43-46,86,91-107,111-141,153-159,268-274H,28-30,37-42,47-85,87-90,205H2,1-27H3,(H2,206,275)(H2,207,276)(H2,208,277)(H2,209,278)(H2,210,279)(H2,211,292)(H,222,228)(H,229,296)(H,230,307)(H,231,293)(H,232,294)(H,233,300)(H,234,298)(H,235,308)(H,236,316)(H,237,299)(H,238,297)(H,239,309)(H,240,320)(H,241,328)(H,242,302)(H,243,310)(H,244,311)(H,245,315)(H,246,317)(H,247,321)(H,248,313)(H,249,301)(H,250,314)(H,251,329)(H,252,326)(H,253,330)(H,254,325)(H,255,295)(H,256,303)(H,257,312)(H,258,318)(H,259,324)(H,260,322)(H,261,304)(H,262,323)(H,263,327)(H,264,305)(H,265,306)(H,266,319)(H,280,281)(H,282,283)(H,284,285)(H,286,287)(H,288,289)(H,290,291)(H4,212,213,223)(H4,214,215,224)(H4,216,217,225)(H4,218,219,226)(H4,220,221,227)/t100-,101-,102-,103-,104-,105+,106+,107+,111-,112-,113-,114-,115-,116-,117-,118-,119-,120-,121-,122-,123-,124-,125-,126-,127-,128-,129-,130-,131-,132-,133-,134-,135-,136-,137-,138-,139-,140-,141-,153-,154-,155-,156-,157-,158-,159-/m0/s1

(4S)-4-[[(2S)-2-[[(2S)-2-[[(2S)-2-[[(2S)-2-[[(2S)-5-amino-2-[[(2S)-2-[[(2S)-5-amino-2-[[(2S,3R)-2-[[(2S)-2-[[(2S)-2-[[(2S)-2-[[(2S)-2-[[(2S)-2-[[(2S)-2-[[(2S,3R)-2-[[(2S)-2-[[(2S)-2-[[(2S)-2-[[(2S)-2-[[(2S)-2-[[(2S,3R)-2-[[(2S)-2-[[(2S)-2-[[(2S,3S)-2-[[(2S)-2-[[(2S)-2-[[(2S)-2-[[(2S)-1-[(2S)-4-amino-2-[[(2S)-2-amino-3-carboxypropanoyl]amino]-4-oxobutanoyl]pyrrolidine-2-carbonyl]amino]-3-hydroxypropanoyl]amino]-4-methylpentanoyl]amino]-3-hydroxypropanoyl]amino]-3-methylpentanoyl]amino]-3-carboxypropanoyl]amino]-4-methylpentanoyl]amino]-3-hydroxybutanoyl]amino]-3-phenylpropanoyl]amino]-3-(1H-imidazol-4-yl)propanoyl]amino]-4-methylpentanoyl]amino]-4-methylpentanoyl]amino]-5-carbamimidamidopentanoyl]amino]-3-hydroxybutanoyl]amino]-4-methylpentanoyl]amino]-4-methylpentanoyl]amino]-4-carboxybutanoyl]amino]-4-methylpentanoyl]amino]propanoyl]amino]-5-carbamimidamidopentanoyl]amino]-3-hydroxybutanoyl]amino]-5-oxopentanoyl]amino]-3-hydroxypropanoyl]amino]-5-oxopentanoyl]amino]-5-carbamimidamidopentanoyl]amino]-4-carboxybutanoyl]amino]-5-carbamimidamidopentanoyl]amino]propanoyl]amino]-5-[[(2S)-5-amino-1-[[(2S)-4-amino-1-[[(2S)-1-[[(2S,3S)-1-[[(2S,3S)-1-[[(2S)-1-[[(2S)-1-[[(2S)-1-[[(2S)-1-amino-3-methyl-1-oxobutan-2-yl]amino]-3-hydroxy-1-oxopropan-2-yl]amino]-3-carboxy-1-oxopropan-2-yl]amino]-1-oxo-3-phenylpropan-2-yl]amino]-3-methyl-1-oxopentan-2-yl]amino]-3-methyl-1-oxopentan-2-yl]amino]-5-carbamimidamido-1-oxopentan-2-yl]amino]-1,4-dioxobutan-2-yl]amino]-1,5-dioxopentan-2-yl]amino]-5-oxopentanoic acid

2934.99.9001

Powder      -20°C    3 years

                     4°C     2 years

In solvent   -80°C    6 months

                  -20°C    1 month

Note: Please store this product in a sealed and protected environment, avoid exposure to moisture.

Room temperature (This product is stable at ambient temperature for a few days during ordinary shipping and time spent in Customs)

May dissolve in DMSO (in most cases), if not, try other solvents such as H2O, Ethanol, or DMF with a minute amount of products to avoid loss of samples

Note: Listed below are some common formulations that may be used to formulate products with low water solubility (e.g. < 1 mg/mL), you may test these formulations using a minute amount of products to avoid loss of samples.

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Injection Formulation 1: DMSO : Tween 80： Saline = 10 : 5 : 85 (i.e. 100 μL DMSO stock solution → 50 μL Tween 80 → 850 μL Saline)
*Preparation of saline: Dissolve 0.9 g of sodium chloride in 100 mL ddH ₂ O to obtain a clear solution.
Injection Formulation 2: DMSO : PEG300 ：Tween 80 : Saline = 10 : 40 : 5 : 45 (i.e. 100 μL DMSO → 400 μLPEG300 → 50 μL Tween 80 → 450 μL Saline)
Injection Formulation 3: DMSO : Corn oil = 10 : 90 (i.e. 100 μL DMSO → 900 μL Corn oil)
Example: Take the Injection Formulation 3 (DMSO : Corn oil = 10 : 90) as an example, if 1 mL of 2.5 mg/mL working solution is to be prepared, you can take 100 μL 25 mg/mL DMSO stock solution and add to 900 μL corn oil, mix well to obtain a clear or suspension solution (2.5 mg/mL, ready for use in animals).

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Injection Formulation 4: DMSO : 20% SBE-β-CD in saline = 10 : 90 [i.e. 100 μL DMSO → 900 μL (20% SBE-β-CD in saline)]
*Preparation of 20% SBE-β-CD in Saline (4°C，1 week): Dissolve 2 g SBE-β-CD in 10 mL saline to obtain a clear solution.
Injection Formulation 5: 2-Hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin : Saline = 50 : 50 (i.e. 500 μL 2-Hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin → 500 μL Saline)
Injection Formulation 6: DMSO : PEG300 : castor oil : Saline = 5 : 10 : 20 : 65 (i.e. 50 μL DMSO → 100 μLPEG300 → 200 μL castor oil → 650 μL Saline)
Injection Formulation 7: Ethanol : Cremophor : Saline = 10： 10 : 80 (i.e. 100 μL Ethanol → 100 μL Cremophor → 800 μL Saline)
Injection Formulation 8: Dissolve in Cremophor/Ethanol (50 : 50), then diluted by Saline
Injection Formulation 9: EtOH : Corn oil = 10 : 90 (i.e. 100 μL EtOH → 900 μL Corn oil)
Injection Formulation 10: EtOH : PEG300：Tween 80 : Saline = 10 : 40 : 5 : 45 (i.e. 100 μL EtOH → 400 μLPEG300 → 50 μL Tween 80 → 450 μL Saline)

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Oral Formulation 1: Suspend in 0.5% CMC Na (carboxymethylcellulose sodium)
Oral Formulation 2: Suspend in 0.5% Carboxymethyl cellulose
Example: Take the Oral Formulation 1 (Suspend in 0.5% CMC Na) as an example, if 100 mL of 2.5 mg/mL working solution is to be prepared, you can first prepare 0.5% CMC Na solution by measuring 0.5 g CMC Na and dissolve it in 100 mL ddH2O to obtain a clear solution; then add 250 mg of the product to 100 mL 0.5% CMC Na solution, to make the suspension solution (2.5 mg/mL, ready for use in animals).

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Oral Formulation 3: Dissolved in PEG400
Oral Formulation 4: Suspend in 0.2% Carboxymethyl cellulose
Oral Formulation 5: Dissolve in 0.25% Tween 80 and 0.5% Carboxymethyl cellulose
Oral Formulation 6: Mixing with food powders

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Note: Please be aware that the above formulations are for reference only. InvivoChem strongly recommends customers to read literature methods/protocols carefully before determining which formulation you should use for in vivo studies, as different compounds have different solubility properties and have to be formulated differently.

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 (Please use freshly prepared in vivo formulations for optimal results.)