title: Synthetic relaxins.
abstract: The relaxin subfamily of peptides within the human insulin superfamily consists of seven members including relaxin-2 and relaxin-3. The former is a pleiotropic hormone that is a vasodilator and cardiac stimulant in the cardiovascular system and an antifibrotic agent whereas the latter is primarily a neuropeptide involved in stress and metabolic control. Both possess the unique three-disulfide heterodimeric peptide structure of insulin. Consequently, the synthesis, both chemical and biological, of relaxin-2 and relaxin-3 has long represented a special challenge to further understanding their structural and functional relationships. This review highlights past and recent developments in the use of chemical and recombinant DNA methods of synthesis of these peptides and current resulting knowledge of their biology.
authors.affiliation: Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Victoria 3010, Australia; School of Chemistry, University of Melbourne, Victoria 3010, Australia.
authors.forename: Mohammed Akhter
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Hossain
authors.affiliation: Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Victoria 3010, Australia; School of Chemistry, University of Melbourne, Victoria 3010, Australia. Electronic address: john.wade@florey.edu.au.
authors.forename: John D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Wade
mesh_terms: D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D003001:Cloning, Molecular / Q000379:methods; D004274:DNA, Recombinant / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D008958:Models, Molecular; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D012065:Relaxin / Q000138:chemical synthesis* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D004274:DNA, Recombinant; D012065:Relaxin