Thyrotropin-releasing hormone

Thyrotropin-releasing hormone

Thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) is a tripeptide hormone produced by the hypothalamus and stimulating production of TSH and prolactin by the anterior lobe of the pituitary. It is passed from the hypothalamus (eminentia mediana) to the pituitary by means of the pituitary portal system.

The sequence of TRH was first determined and the hormone was synthetised by Roger Guillemin and Andrew V. Schally in 1969.

The presence of TRH can also be detected in other parts of the brain, in the gastrointestinal system and pancreatic islets. Medical preparations of TRH are used in diagnostic tests of thyroid disorders and in acromegaly.

Structure : (pyro)Glu-His-Pro-NH2
Molecular weight : 359,5 D