The roles of the A- and B-chains of human relaxin-2 and -3 on their biological activity

Abstract

Two members of the human insulin/relaxin superfamily, relaxins-2 and 3 (H2 and H3 respectively), are separated by nearly 75 years in terms of chronological identification but are both the subject of intense recent biological study. The physiological effects of H2 relaxin include vasodilatory, anti-inflammatory, extracellular matrix remodeling, and angiogenic and anti-ischemic. Because of its potent systemic and renal vasodilatory effects, it is currently undergoing phase III clinical trial for the treatment of acute heart failure. In contrast, H3 relaxin is a highly conserved neuropeptide that has rapidly emerged as an important regulator of homeostatic physiology and complex behaviors. Beca..