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Protein & Peptide Letters

Editor-in-Chief

ISSN (Print): 0929-8665
ISSN (Online): 1875-5305

The Relaxin Peptide Family – Structure, Function and Clinical Applications

Author(s): Linda Jiaying Chan, Mohammed Akhter Hossain, Chrishan S. Samuel, Frances Separovic and John D. Wade

Volume 18, Issue 3, 2011

Page: [220 - 229] Pages: 10

DOI: 10.2174/092986611794578396

Price: $65

Abstract

The relaxin peptide family in humans consists of seven members, relaxin-1, -2 and -3 and insulin- like (INSL) peptides 3, 4, 5 and 6. It is an offshoot of the large insulin superfamily. Each member consists of two chains, commonly referred to as A and B, which are held together by two inter-chain disulfide bonds and another intra-chain disulfide bond present within the A chain. The cysteine residues present in each chain, together with the distinctive disulfide bonding pattern, are conserved across all members of the superfamily. The chemical synthesis of these complex peptides poses a significant challenge. In the past, random combination of the two synthetic S-reduced chains under oxidizing conditions was utilized to form the three disulfide bonds. Nowadays, with the aid of highly efficient solid phase peptide synthesis methodologies, in conjunction with selective S- thiol-protecting groups, combination of individual A- and B- chains by sequential chemical formation of each of the three disulfide bonds is now possible resulting in good yields of these peptides. The relaxin peptide family members bind to G- protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) which have been classified as relaxin family peptide (RXFP) receptors. The various unique receptor-ligand interactions are outlined in this review, together with the physiological roles of the relaxin peptide family members and lastly their past and present clinical applications.

Keywords: Relaxin, structure, chemical synthesis, function, clinical applicationsRelaxin, structure, chemical synthesis, function, clinical applications


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