Acts in vitro to stimulate the secretion of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) (PubMed:8612563). Binds with high affinity to CRF receptor types 1, 2-alpha, and 2-beta (PubMed:8612563). Plays a role in the establishment of normal hearing thresholds (By similarity). Reduces food intake and regulates ghrelin levels in gastric body and plasma (By similarity). Interacts with CRHR1 and CRHR2 (via their N-terminal extracellular domain). Keratinocytes in epidermis and the outer and inner root sheaths of hair follicles, epithelium of sebaceous and sweat glands, erector pili muscle, cutaneous blood vessel walls, cutaneous nerves and dermal mononuclear cells (PubMed:10690896). Detected in plasma cells in the lamia propria in colon mucosa (PubMed:15531481) (at protein level). Expressed in pituitary and adrenal glands (PubMed:10690896). Detected in plasma cells in the lamia propria in colon mucosa (PubMed:15531481). Positive correlation between increased expression in colonic lamina propria and severity of inflammation in patients with ulcerative colitis. Belongs to the sauvagine/corticotropin-releasing factor/urotensin I family.