A new functional isoform of the human CRF2 receptor for corticotropin-releasing factor.

We have identified the human counterpart of the corticotropin-releasing factor receptor subtype 2beta. Its functional response to human urocortin was demonstrated after stable expression in HEK-293 cells. The receptor was also shown to bind sauvagine, corticotropin-releasing factor and urocortin. In contrast to rodents, the human CRF(2beta) receptor is only weakly expressed in heart and skeletal tissues, where the CRF(2alpha) isoform is predominant. Moreover, we have identified additional mRNAs of the CRF(2beta) type which are probably a consequence of aberrant splicing events.