What’s in a name? Nomenclature inconsistencies in the corticotropin-releasing factor/hormone system across time and taxa

Abstract

The use of clear, consistent, and specific terminology is important for maximizing the accessibility of scientific knowledge across all academic disciplines, including endocrinology. Yet, the nomenclature used to describe the primary hypophysiotropic neuropeptide responsible for centrally regulating rates of corticosteroid synthesis in vertebrates is inconsistent. Researchers use the terms “corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF)” and “corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH)” at almost equal frequency. While this may seem relatively minor, it highlights broader nomenclature issues that exist within this important neuropeptide family. Indeed, most neuropeptides in this family have had multiple names since their initial discovery and/or are described using different names in different taxa. This creates considerable confusion among students and researchers unfamiliar with this literature. In this review, we provide a historical perspective addressing how and why the nomenclature for these neuropeptides has changed. We also provide context for why some inconsistencies (e.g., CRF vs CRH) will likely continue to persist. Overall, our goal is to increase accessibility and remove barriers which may discourage research on this important neuropeptide family.