Modern perspectives on the structure, function and evolution of the relaxin-like peptides and their receptors

Abstract

Relaxin has intrigued and confounded researchers since its discovery in 1926. While first characterized as a hormone of pregnancy, and believed to be of interest only in the female, we now know that relaxin is a multi functional hormone with non-reproductive actions in several systems. Relaxin is structurally similar to insulin and thus a part of the insulin superfamily. In total, seven relaxin-like peptides have been identified; relaxin-1, relaxin-2, relaxin-3 and the insulin-like (INSL) peptides INSL3, INSL4, INSL5 and INSL6. Four relaxin-like peptide family receptors have been identified to date, which are GPCRs and unlike the tyrosine kinase insulin receptor. Pharmacological and function..