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This pathway delineates genes involved in steroid biology at three different levels: 1. the hypothalamic-anterior
pituitary-adrenal axis which sets the level of circulating glucocorticoid in the body2. the effects of
glucocorticoid on peripheral tissues including the CNS, heart, lung, gut and other organs at the surface
of these cells and 3. the activation of transcriptionally regulated nuclear elements in these tissues where
cellular processes such as inflammation are controlled.
In the HPA view, we have focused on the actions of corticotropin releasing factor (CRH) and Urocortin (UCN)
on the anterior pituitary and peripheral tissues, in particular the adrenal gland where endogenous glucocorticoids
are released. Stresscopin (UCN3) and stresscopin related peptide (UCN2) are also made in hypothalamic and
extrahypothalamic areas, and the receptors CRHR1 and CRHR2 are also present in the hypothalamus, however these
circuits and their relationships are still unclear.
The Pharmacodynamics view depicts the actions of endogenous glucocorticoids and glucocorticoid drugs, such as
prednisone, on the peripheral tissues. This is of particular relevance to treatment of inflammatory diseases
such as asthma, inflammatory bowel disease and arthritis. Clicking on the gene regulatory complex focuses in
on the regulation of transription by glucocorticoids and their receptors, and then clicking on "glucocorticoid
responsive genes" bring up a list of references for these relationships which can be downloaded in excel format.
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| Scott Weiss, Augusto Litonjua, Kelan Tantisira,
Ma-Li Wong, Caroline Thorn and Julio Licinio |
| December 9, 2003 |
| August 1, 2007 |
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