Urocortin 2 is an endogenous peptide in the corticotrophin-releasing factor (CRF) family. Immunohistochemistry analysis of human myocytes has shown greater immunoreactivity of Ucn2 in myocytes of the failing heart compared to those of the healthy heart. Researchers suggest this is a result of an innate mechanism in which Ucn2 acts to improve function of the failing heart [2]. The pathophysiology of heart failure is often a consequence of improper calcium handling and relaxation resulting in a lower cardiac output, decreased blood flow and overall decreased heart function [3]. Infusion of Ucn2 in healthy humans has shown a dose dependent increase in cardiac output, heart rate and left ventricle ejection fraction and a decrease in systemic vascular resistance [4]. Ucn2 has been studied as potential treatment for individuals with heart failure.

Research findings

The cardiovascular function of Ucn2 was assessed by Meili-Butz and her team who used isolated hearts from a rat model for hypertension heart disease with severe left ventricle dysfunction and heart failure. Hearts were assessed for left ventricle function, MAPD and VFT before and after perfusion with Ucn2 and compared with a control group. Infusion of Ucn2 resulted in an immediate and significant improvement in left ventricle function, increased coronary flow, significantly altered intracellular calcium handling and increased SR calcium [5]. These relaxation effects can be explained by the increased calcium clearance into the SR would assist in relaxation of the cell. Increased calcium in the SR by Ucn2 was also been studied by Bale T.L et al. and shown to be a result of Ucn2 mediated production of cAMP and phosphokinase A (PKA) [6]. This is consistent Nishikimi T. et al findings that Ucn2 to increases cAMP levels in myocytes and nonmyocytes [2]. The production of PKA results in the phosphorylation of phospholamban and inhibition of its block on the sarcoendoplasmic reticulum calcium ATPase (SERCA) [6]. Additional research Smani T et al. studied the production of PKA by Ucn2 on rat coronary vessels. It was determined PKA mediated inhibition of calcium-independent phospholipase A and calcium influx which resulted in relaxation of the vasculature [7]. This suggests Ucn2 may be beneficial in improving blood but these findings have less biological applicability to human medicine as they were completed on rats. In 2011 a similar relationship was found in human hearts. Ucn2 produced a dose dependent relaxation of coronary. It was confirmed that this correlation was a result of the cAMP/ PKA pathway and independent of endothelial function. The researches suggested Ucn2 may be a beneficial drug in damaged hearts where the endothelium is not intact.

Ucn2 and the CFR2 receptor

The activation of cAMP/PKA by Ucn2 gives similar effects to the ß-adrenergic pathway. Research on receptor stimulation leading to the subsequent PKA production found Ucn2 increased left ventricular function independent of the ß-adrenergic receptor but dependent on the binding of Ucn2 to CFR2 [6]. It is now known that Ucn2 is an agonist for the G-protein coupled CRF1 and CRF2 receptors. It is highly selective for CRF2 which is predominantly found in the myocardium, blood vessels and peripheral tissues. This association provides reason for its strong cardiovascular effects. When Ucn2 binds CRF2 it activates adenyl-cyclase to increase cAMP which activates PKA and results in the noted changes to cardiovascular function.

Future research

The ability of Ucn2 to produce PKA and alter calcium flux has led to the hypothesis that administration of Ucn2 may increase the risk of arrhythmias[5]. More research is needed on the molecular mechanism of Ucn2 and its long term effects on the human heart.

Urocortin II is a 38-amino acid

Amino acid

Amino acids are molecules containing an amine group, a carboxylic acid group and a side-chain that varies between different amino acids. The key elements of an amino acid are carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, and nitrogen...

 peptide

Peptide

Peptides are short polymers of amino acid monomers linked by peptide bonds. They are distinguished from proteins on the basis of size, typically containing less than 50 monomer units. The shortest peptides are dipeptides, consisting of two amino acids joined by a single peptide bond...

 that is a member of the CRF

Corticotropin-releasing hormone

Corticotropin-releasing hormone , originally named corticotropin-releasing factor , and also called corticoliberin, is a polypeptide hormone and neurotransmitter involved in the stress response...

 family of peptides. Unlike Urocortin

Urocortin

Urocortin is a protein that in humans is encoded by the UCN gene.Urocortin is a potent anorexigenic peptide of 40 amino acids that induces fed-like motor activity when administered centrally or peripherally in fasted animals. Urocortin belongs to the corticotropin-releasing factor family that...

 I, Urocortin II is highly selective for the CRF2 receptor and does not show affintiy for the CRF binding protein.

Urocortin II has been shown to have anorexigenic effects and hypotensive effects similar to Urocortin, but does not induce secretion of ACTH.

Urocortin (UCN) II, also known as stresscopin-related peptide, is a 38 amino acid member of the mammalian corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) peptide family, which also includes CRH, UCN I, and UCN III [1;2]. CRH mainly binds to type 1 CRH receptors (CRH1), while UCN II and III bind primarily to type 2 CRH receptors, and UCN I binds to both (CRH2). Each of these hormones has distinctive distribution patterns in the central nervous system and the periphery, suggesting each peptide may have distinct behavioral and physiological effects, although all have been associated with anxiety [2–5]. In general, agonism of CRH1 receptors is posited to be anxiogenic and agonism of CRH2 receptors is posited to be anxiolytic [6].