Relaxin-3/RXFP3 networks: an emerging target for the treatment of depression and other neuro psychiatric diseases?

Craig M Smith; Andrew W Walker; Ihaia T Hosken; Berenice E Chua; Cary Zhang; Mouna Haidar; Andrew L Gundlach

Journal article

Relaxin-3/RXFP3 networks: an emerging target for the treatment of depression and other neuro psychiatric diseases?

Craig M Smith, Andrew W Walker, Ihaia T Hosken, Berenice E Chua, Cary Zhang, Mouna Haidar, Andrew L Gundlach

FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY | FRONTIERS MEDIA SA | Published : 2014

DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2014.00046

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Abstract

Animal and clinical studies of gene-environment interactions have helped elucidate the mechanisms involved in the pathophysiology of several mental illnesses including anxiety, depression, and schizophrenia; and have led to the discovery of improved treatments. The study of neuropeptides and their receptors is a parallel frontier of neuropsychopharmacology research and has revealed the involvement of several peptide systems in mental illnesses and identified novel targets for their treatment. Relaxin-3 is a newly discovered neuropeptide that binds, and activates the G-protein coupled receptor, RXFP3. Existing anatomical and functional evidence suggests relaxin-3 is an arousal transmitter whi..

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University of Melbourne Researchers

Mouna Haidar Author Florey Department of Neuroscience and Mental Health

Andrew Gundlach Author Anatomy and Physiology

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Grants

Awarded by National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) of Australia

Funding Acknowledgements

The research in the authors' laboratory reviewed here was supported by grants from the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) of Australia (509246, 1005988, and 1024885) and the Pratt and Besen Foundations, and by the Victorian Government Strategic Investment. Andrew L. Gundlach is an NHMRC (Australia) Senior Research Fellow and a Brain & Behavior Research Foundation (USA) NARSAD Independent Investigator. The authors acknowledge the contribution of their current and former colleagues to the relaxin-3 related research reviewed.