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Chen D, Rehfeld JF, Watts AG, Rorsman P, Gundlach AL. History of key regulatory peptide systems and perspectives for future research. J Neuroendocrinol 2023; 35:e13251. [PMID: 37053148 DOI: 10.1111/jne.13251] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2023] [Revised: 02/10/2023] [Accepted: 02/26/2023] [Indexed: 03/06/2023]
Abstract
Throughout the 20th Century, regulatory peptide discovery advanced from the identification of gut hormones to the extraction and characterization of hypothalamic hypophysiotropic factors, and to the isolation and cloning of multiple brain neuropeptides. These discoveries were followed by the discovery of G-protein-coupled and other membrane receptors for these peptides. Subsequently, the systems physiology associated with some of these multiple regulatory peptides and receptors has been comprehensively elucidated and has led to improved therapeutics and diagnostics and their approval by the US Food and Drug Administration. In light of this wealth of information and further potential, it is truly a time of renaissance for regulatory peptides. In this perspective, we review what we have learned from the pioneers in exemplified fields of gut peptides, such as cholecystokinin, enterochromaffin-like-cell peptides, and glucagon, from the trailblazing studies on the key stress hormone, corticotropin-releasing factor, as well as from more recently characterized relaxin-family peptides and receptors. The historical viewpoints are based on our understanding of these topics in light of the earliest phases of research and on subsequent studies and the evolution of knowledge, aiming to sharpen our vision of the current state-of-the-art and those studies that should be prioritized in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Duan Chen
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Trondheim, Norway
| | - Jens F Rehfeld
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Alan G Watts
- Department of Biological Sciences, Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Patrik Rorsman
- Oxford Centre for Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Radcliffe Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Andrew L Gundlach
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Florey Department of Neuroscience and Mental Health and Department of Anatomy and Physiology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
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Wan L, Huang RJ, Luo ZH, Gong JE, Pan A, Manavis J, Yan XX, Xiao B. Reproduction-Associated Hormones and Adult Hippocampal Neurogenesis. Neural Plast 2021; 2021:3651735. [PMID: 34539776 PMCID: PMC8448607 DOI: 10.1155/2021/3651735] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2021] [Accepted: 08/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The levels of reproduction-associated hormones in females, such as estrogen, progesterone, prolactin, and oxytocin, change dramatically during pregnancy and postpartum. Reproduction-associated hormones can affect adult hippocampal neurogenesis (AHN), thereby regulating mothers' behavior after delivery. In this review, we first briefly introduce the overall functional significance of AHN and the methods commonly used to explore this front. Then, we attempt to reconcile the changes of reproduction-associated hormones during pregnancy. We further update the findings on how reproduction-related hormones influence adult hippocampal neurogenesis. This review is aimed at emphasizing a potential role of AHN in reproduction-related brain plasticity and its neurobiological relevance to motherhood behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lily Wan
- Department of Neurology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410008, China
| | - Rou-Jie Huang
- Medical Doctor Program, Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Zhao-Hui Luo
- Department of Neurology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410008, China
| | - Jiao-e Gong
- Department of Neurology, Hunan Children's Hospital, Changsha 410007, China
| | - Aihua Pan
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Central South University Xiangya School of Medicine, Changsha, Hunan 410013, China
| | - Jim Manavis
- Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia 5000
| | - Xiao-Xin Yan
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Central South University Xiangya School of Medicine, Changsha, Hunan 410013, China
| | - Bo Xiao
- Department of Neurology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410008, China
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3
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Yang L, Li Y, Wu Y, Sun S, Song Q, Wei J, Sun L, Li M, Wang D, Zhou L. Rln3a is a prerequisite for spermatogenesis and fertility in male fish. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol 2020; 197:105517. [PMID: 31678357 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsbmb.2019.105517] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2019] [Revised: 10/10/2019] [Accepted: 10/25/2019] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
The essential roles of Relaxin3 (RLN3) in energy homeostasis had been well investigated, while the mechanisms of RLN3 regulating reproduction remain to be elusive in mammals. Although two rln3 paralogues have been characterized in several teleosts, their functions still remain largely unknown. In this study, two paralogous rln3 genes, represented as rln3a and rln3b, were identified from the testis of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). Rln3a was dominantly expressed in testis, while the most abundant rln3b expression was in brain. In situ hybridization demonstrated that rln3a is abundantly expressed in the Leydig cells of the testis. To understand the role of Rln3 in the testicular development, homologous null-rln3a gene mutant line was constructed by CRISPR/Cas9 technology. Morphological observation demonstrated that null mutation of rln3a gene caused testicular hypertrophy and a significant increase of GSI. However, a significant decrease of spermatogenic cells at different phases, i.e. spermatogonia, spermatocytes, spermatids and sperms was found. Silencing of rln3a gene repressed the expression of key genes in germ cell and Leydig cell. Deficiency of Rln3a led to the significant decrease of 11-KT production, which stimulated the up-regulation of both FSH and LH production in the pituitary via a negative feedback manner possibly. Mutation of rln3a in XY fish led to the hypogonadism with sperm deformation, significant decrease of fertility, and sperm motility, revealing as the high mortality of the offspring obtained by crossing the wild type female and rln3a-/- XY fish. Interestingly, recombinant human RLN3 injection significantly enhanced the sperm motility in rln3a-/- XY fish. Moreover, hCG treatment stimulated the expression of steroidogenic enzyme genes and 11-KT production, which were repressed by rln3a mutation in XY fish. Taken together, this study, for the first time by using a gene knockout model, proved that Rln3a is an indispensable mediator for androgen production in testis via HPG axis, and plays an essential role in spermatogenesis, sperm motility and male fertility in fish.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lanying Yang
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fish Reproduction and Development (Ministry of Education), Key Laboratory of Aquatic Science of Chongqing, School of Life Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China
| | - Yanlong Li
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fish Reproduction and Development (Ministry of Education), Key Laboratory of Aquatic Science of Chongqing, School of Life Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China
| | - You Wu
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fish Reproduction and Development (Ministry of Education), Key Laboratory of Aquatic Science of Chongqing, School of Life Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China
| | - Shaohua Sun
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fish Reproduction and Development (Ministry of Education), Key Laboratory of Aquatic Science of Chongqing, School of Life Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China
| | - Qiang Song
- Chongqing Three Gorges Central Hospital, Chongqing, 400715, China
| | - Jing Wei
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fish Reproduction and Development (Ministry of Education), Key Laboratory of Aquatic Science of Chongqing, School of Life Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China
| | - Lina Sun
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fish Reproduction and Development (Ministry of Education), Key Laboratory of Aquatic Science of Chongqing, School of Life Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China
| | - Minghui Li
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fish Reproduction and Development (Ministry of Education), Key Laboratory of Aquatic Science of Chongqing, School of Life Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China
| | - Deshou Wang
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fish Reproduction and Development (Ministry of Education), Key Laboratory of Aquatic Science of Chongqing, School of Life Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China.
| | - Linyan Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fish Reproduction and Development (Ministry of Education), Key Laboratory of Aquatic Science of Chongqing, School of Life Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China.
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Heidari S, Taromchi A, Nejatbakhsh R, Shokri S. Expression and localisation of RXFP3 in human spermatozoa and impact of INSL7 on sperm functions. Andrologia 2017; 50. [DOI: 10.1111/and.12928] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/24/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- S. Heidari
- Department of Medical Genetics and Molecular Medicine; Faculty of Medicine; Zanjan University of Medical Sciences (ZUMS); Zanjan Iran
| | - A.H. Taromchi
- Department of Medical Biotechnology and Nanotechnology; Faculty of Medicine; Zanjan University of Medical Sciences (ZUMS); Zanjan Iran
| | - R. Nejatbakhsh
- Department of Anatomical Sciences; Faculty of Medicine; Zanjan University of Medical Sciences (ZUMS); Zanjan Iran
| | - S. Shokri
- Department of Anatomical Sciences; Faculty of Medicine; Zanjan University of Medical Sciences (ZUMS); Zanjan Iran
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5
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Ivell R, Agoulnik AI, Anand‐Ivell R. Relaxin-like peptides in male reproduction - a human perspective. Br J Pharmacol 2017; 174:990-1001. [PMID: 27933606 PMCID: PMC5406299 DOI: 10.1111/bph.13689] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2016] [Revised: 11/10/2016] [Accepted: 12/05/2016] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The relaxin family of peptide hormones and their cognate GPCRs are becoming physiologically well-characterized in the cardiovascular system and particularly in female reproductive processes. Much less is known about the physiology and pharmacology of these peptides in male reproduction, particularly as regards humans. H2-relaxin is involved in prostate function and growth, while insulin-like peptide 3 (INSL3) is a major product of the testicular Leydig cells and, in the adult, appears to modulate steroidogenesis and germ cell survival. In the fetus, INSL3 is a key hormone expressed shortly after sex determination and is responsible for the first transabdominal phase of testicular descent. Importantly, INSL3 is becoming a very useful constitutive biomarker reflecting both fetal and post-natal development. Nothing is known about roles for INSL4 in male reproduction and only very little about relaxin-3, which is mostly considered as a brain peptide, or INSL5. The former is expressed at very low levels in the testes, but has no known physiology there, whereas the INSL5 knockout mouse does exhibit a testicular phenotype with mild effects on spermatogenesis, probably due to a disruption of glucose homeostasis. INSL6 is a major product of male germ cells, although it is relatively unexplored with regard to its physiology or pharmacology, except that in mice disruption of the INSL6 gene leads to a disruption of spermatogenesis. Clinically, relaxin analogues may be useful in the control of prostate cancer, and both relaxin and INSL3 have been considered as sperm adjuvants for in vitro fertilization. LINKED ARTICLES This article is part of a themed section on Recent Progress in the Understanding of Relaxin Family Peptides and their Receptors. To view the other articles in this section visit http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bph.v174.10/issuetoc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard Ivell
- School of BiosciencesUniversity of NottinghamNottinghamLE12 5RDUK
- School of Veterinary and Medical SciencesUniversity of NottinghamNottinghamLE12 5RDUK
| | - Alexander I Agoulnik
- Department of Human and Molecular Genetics, Herbert Wertheim College of MedicineFlorida International UniversityMiamiFLUSA
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Ma S, Smith CM, Blasiak A, Gundlach AL. Distribution, physiology and pharmacology of relaxin-3/RXFP3 systems in brain. Br J Pharmacol 2016; 174:1034-1048. [PMID: 27774604 DOI: 10.1111/bph.13659] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2016] [Revised: 10/12/2016] [Accepted: 10/17/2016] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Relaxin-3 is a member of a superfamily of structurally-related peptides that includes relaxin and insulin-like peptide hormones. Soon after the discovery of the relaxin-3 gene, relaxin-3 was identified as an abundant neuropeptide in brain with a distinctive topographical distribution within a small number of GABAergic neuron populations that is well conserved across species. Relaxin-3 is thought to exert its biological actions through a single class-A GPCR - relaxin-family peptide receptor 3 (RXFP3). Class-A comprises GPCRs for relaxin-3 and insulin-like peptide-5 and other peptides such as orexin and the monoamine transmitters. The RXFP3 receptor is selectively activated by relaxin-3, whereas insulin-like peptide-5 is the cognate ligand for the related RXFP4 receptor. Anatomical and pharmacological evidence obtained over the last decade supports a function of relaxin-3/RXFP3 systems in modulating responses to stress, anxiety-related and motivated behaviours, circadian rhythms, and learning and memory. Electrophysiological studies have identified the ability of RXFP3 agonists to directly hyperpolarise thalamic neurons in vitro, but there are no reports of direct cell signalling effects in vivo. This article provides an overview of earlier studies and highlights more recent research that implicates relaxin-3/RXFP3 neural network signalling in the integration of arousal, motivation, emotion and related cognition, and that has begun to identify the associated neural substrates and mechanisms. Future research directions to better elucidate the connectivity and function of different relaxin-3 neuron populations and their RXFP3-positive target neurons in major experimental species and humans are also identified. LINKED ARTICLES This article is part of a themed section on Recent Progress in the Understanding of Relaxin Family Peptides and their Receptors. To view the other articles in this section visit http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bph.v174.10/issuetoc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sherie Ma
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.,Florey Department of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Craig M Smith
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.,Florey Department of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,School of Medicine, Deakin University, Geelong, Victoria, Australia
| | - Anna Blasiak
- Department of Neurophysiology and Chronobiology, Institute of Zoology, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland
| | - Andrew L Gundlach
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.,Florey Department of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, The University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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7
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Braun BC, Müller K, Jewgenow K. Expression profiles of relaxin family peptides and their receptors indicate their influence on spermatogenesis in the domestic cat (Felis catus). Domest Anim Endocrinol 2015; 52:25-34. [PMID: 25704248 DOI: 10.1016/j.domaniend.2015.01.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2014] [Revised: 01/19/2015] [Accepted: 01/19/2015] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Disturbed spermatogenesis is a common problem in felines. Studying spermatogenesis in the domestic cat can improve the understanding of the biological background and help to counteract fertility problems in other feline species. Here, we analyzed 3 relaxin family peptides (relaxin, relaxin-3, and INSL3) and their receptors (RXFP1, RXFP2, and RXFP3) as potential spermatogenic factors involving their expression in the testis at different stages of its development. It may be concluded from its stage-dependent expression that relaxin, together with RXFP1, appears to be involved in the first stage of spermatogenesis, whereas relaxin-3 via binding to RXFP3 influences spermiogenesis. Furthermore, correlations were observed between relaxin, relaxin-3, RXFP1, RXFP2 and RXFP3 messenger RNA expression, and the relative numbers of haploid cells in testes. The peptide INSL3 was highly expressed at all testis development stages. Because of the low and stage-independent expression of its receptor RXFP2, an auto- and/or paracrine function of INSL3 in spermatogenesis seems unlikely. In the adult testis, messenger RNA expression of relaxin, RXFP1, and RXFP3 predominantly occurs in the tubular testis compartment, whereas INLS3 is mainly expressed in the interstitium.
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Affiliation(s)
- B C Braun
- Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, Department of Reproduction Biology, PF 700430, 10324 Berlin, Germany.
| | - K Müller
- Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, Department of Reproduction Biology, PF 700430, 10324 Berlin, Germany
| | - K Jewgenow
- Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, Department of Reproduction Biology, PF 700430, 10324 Berlin, Germany
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8
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Feugang JM, Greene JM, Sanchez-Rodríguez HL, Stokes JV, Crenshaw MA, Willard ST, Ryan PL. Profiling of relaxin and its receptor proteins in boar reproductive tissues and spermatozoa. Reprod Biol Endocrinol 2015; 13:46. [PMID: 25990010 PMCID: PMC4445784 DOI: 10.1186/s12958-015-0043-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2014] [Accepted: 05/08/2015] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Relaxin levels in seminal plasma have been associated with positive effects on sperm motility and quality, and thus having potential roles in male fertility. However, the origin of seminal relaxin, within the male reproductive tract, and the moment of its release in the vicinity of spermatozoa remain unclear. Here, we assessed the longitudinal distribution of relaxin and its receptors RXFP1 and RXFP2 in the reproductive tract, sex accessory glands, and spermatozoa of adult boars. METHODS Spermatozoa were harvested from three fertile boars and reproductive tract (testes and epididymis) and sex accessory gland (prostate and seminal vesicles) tissues were collected post-mortem from each boar. Epididymis ducts were sectioned into caput, corpus, and cauda regions, and spermatozoa were mechanically collected. All samples were subjected to immunofluorescence and/or western immunoblotting for relaxin, RXFP1, and RXFP2 detection. Immunolabeled-spermatozoa were submitted to flow cytometry analyses and data were statistically analyzed with ANOVA. RESULTS Both receptors were detected in all tissues, with a predominance of mature and immature isoforms of RXFP1 and RXFP2, respectively. Relaxin signals were found in the testes, with Leydig cells displaying the highest intensity compared to other testicular cells. The testicular immunofluorescence intensity of relaxin was greater than that of other tissues. Epithelial basal cells exhibited the highest relaxin immunofluorescence intensity within the epididymis and the vas deferens. The luminal immunoreactivity to relaxin was detected in the seminiferous tubule, epididymis, and vas deferens ducts. Epididymal and ejaculated spermatozoa were immunopositive to relaxin, RXFP1, and RXFP2, and epididymal corpus-derived spermatozoa had the highest immunoreactivities across epididymal sections. Both vas deferens-collected and ejaculated spermatozoa displayed comparable, but lowest immunofluorescence signals among groups. The entire sperm length was immunopositive to both relaxin and receptors, with relaxin signal being robust in the acrosome area and RXFP2, homogeneously distributed than RXFP1 on the head of ejaculated spermatozoa. CONCLUSIONS Immunolocalization indicates that relaxin-receptor complexes may have important roles in boar reproduction and that spermatozoa are already exposed to relaxin upon their production. The findings suggest autocrine and/or paracrine actions of relaxin on spermatozoa, either before or after ejaculation, which have possible roles on the fertilizing potential of spermatozoa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jean M Feugang
- Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences, Facility for Organismal and Cellular Imaging (FOCI), Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, MS, 39762, USA.
| | - Jonathan M Greene
- Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences, Facility for Organismal and Cellular Imaging (FOCI), Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, MS, 39762, USA.
- Department of Pathobiology & Population Medicine, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, MS, 39762, USA.
- Department of Pathobiological Sciences, Robert P. Hanson Biomedical Sciences Laboratories, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, 53706, USA.
| | - Hector L Sanchez-Rodríguez
- Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences, Facility for Organismal and Cellular Imaging (FOCI), Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, MS, 39762, USA.
- Department of Animal Science, Mayaguez Campus, University of Puerto Rico, Mayaguez, Puerto Rico.
| | - John V Stokes
- Department of Basic Sciences, Flow Cytometry facility core, College of Veterinary Medicine, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, MS, 39762, USA.
| | - Mark A Crenshaw
- Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences, Facility for Organismal and Cellular Imaging (FOCI), Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, MS, 39762, USA.
| | - Scott T Willard
- Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences, Facility for Organismal and Cellular Imaging (FOCI), Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, MS, 39762, USA.
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology & Entomology and Plant Pathology, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, MS, 39762, USA.
| | - Peter L Ryan
- Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences, Facility for Organismal and Cellular Imaging (FOCI), Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, MS, 39762, USA.
- Department of Pathobiology & Population Medicine, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, MS, 39762, USA.
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Feugang JM, Rodríguez-Muñoz JC, Dillard DS, Crenshaw MA, Willard ST, Ryan PL. Beneficial effects of relaxin on motility characteristics of stored boar spermatozoa. Reprod Biol Endocrinol 2015; 13:24. [PMID: 25880070 PMCID: PMC4393568 DOI: 10.1186/s12958-015-0021-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2014] [Accepted: 03/19/2015] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Relaxin is detected in seminal plasma of many species and its association with sperm motility may be beneficial in some aspects of assisted reproduction. Here, we immunolocalized relaxin receptors and investigated the effects of exogenous relaxin on motility characteristics, viability, and cAMP content of boar spermatozoa after storage. METHODS Commercial doses of boar semen were obtained on the collection day (Day 0) and kept in shipping containers at room temperature for up to 4 days (Day 4). On Day 0, spermatozoa were fixed for immunofluorescence detection of relaxin receptors RXFP1 and RXFP2 (Experiment 1). Semen aliquots were taken from the same dose at Day 0, Day 1, and Day 2 (Experiment 2a), and Day 2 and Day 4 (Experiment 2b) for analyses. Alive spermatozoa were purified and incubated (1 h-37°C) with 0, 50, or 100 ng relaxin/ml (Experiment 2a) and 0, 100, or 500 ng relaxin/ml (Experiment 2b). Afterward, aliquots of each treatment group were subjected to motility (Experiments 2), viability (Experiment 3) analyses, and cAMP quantification (Experiment 4). Data (3-4 independent replicates) were statistically analyzed (ANOVA followed by pairwise comparisons) and p values less or equal to 0.05 was set for significant difference. RESULTS Both RXFP1 and RXFP2 receptors were immunolocalized on the entire spermatozoon. Relaxin concentration of 100 ng/ml significantly improved the proportions of motile, progressive, and rapid spermatozoa up to Day 2. Only 500 ng relaxin/ml provided beneficial effects on Day 4. The viability of spermatozoa was not affected by relaxin (100 ng/ml) during storage, but the extent of mitochondria membrane damages was significantly decreased. Furthermore, relaxin did not affect the cAMP contents of spermatozoa during storage, in our conditions. CONCLUSIONS Relaxin could be a valuable motility booster of stored- or aged-spermatozoa for assisted reproduction techniques. However, the related-intracellular signaling cascades of relaxin in boar spermatozoa remain undetermined.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jean M Feugang
- Facility for Organismal and Cellular Imaging (FOCI), Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, Mississippi, 39762, USA.
| | - Juan C Rodríguez-Muñoz
- Facility for Organismal and Cellular Imaging (FOCI), Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, Mississippi, 39762, USA.
| | - Darby S Dillard
- Facility for Organismal and Cellular Imaging (FOCI), Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, Mississippi, 39762, USA.
| | - Mark A Crenshaw
- Facility for Organismal and Cellular Imaging (FOCI), Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, Mississippi, 39762, USA.
| | - Scott T Willard
- Facility for Organismal and Cellular Imaging (FOCI), Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, Mississippi, 39762, USA.
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology & Entomology and Plant Pathology, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, Mississippi, 39762, USA.
| | - Peter L Ryan
- Facility for Organismal and Cellular Imaging (FOCI), Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, Mississippi, 39762, USA.
- Department of Pathobiology and Population Medicine, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, Mississippi, 39762, USA.
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10
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Shen J, Zhou C, Zhu S, Shi W, Hu M, Fu X, Wang C, Wang Y, Zhang Q, Yu Y. Comparative transcriptome analysis reveals early pregnancy-specific genes expressed in peripheral blood of pregnant sows. PLoS One 2014; 9:e114036. [PMID: 25479131 PMCID: PMC4257664 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0114036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2013] [Accepted: 11/03/2014] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Early and accurate diagnosis of pregnancy is important for effective management of an economical pig farm. Besides the currently available methods used in early diagnosis of sows, circulating nucleic acids in peripheral blood may contain some early pregnancy-specific molecular markers. For the first time, microarray analysis of peripheral blood from pregnant sows versus non-pregnant sows identified 127 up-regulated and 56 down-regulated genes at day 14 post-insemination. Gene Ontology annotation grouped the total differently expressed genes into 3 significantly enriched terms, cell surface receptor linked signal transduction, G-protein coupled receptor protein signaling pathway and regulation of vesicle-mediated transport. Signaling pathway analysis revealed the only one significantly changed pathway was arachidonic acid metabolism. Of the differently expressed genes, nine (including LPAR3, RXFP4, GALP, CBR1, CBR2, GPX6, USP18, LHB and NR5A1) were found to exert function related to early pregnancy processes. This study provides a clue that differentially abundant RNAs in maternal peripheral blood can help to identify the molecular markers of early pregnancy in pigs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junye Shen
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, Ministry of Agricultural, National Engineering Laboratory for Animal Breeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, P.R. China
- Department of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, P.R. China
| | - Chuanli Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, Ministry of Agricultural, National Engineering Laboratory for Animal Breeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, P.R. China
- Department of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, P.R. China
| | - Shien Zhu
- Department of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, P.R. China
| | - Wenqing Shi
- Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Station of Beijing, Beijing, P.R. China
| | - Maishun Hu
- Department of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, P.R. China
| | - Xiangwei Fu
- Department of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, P.R. China
| | - Chuduan Wang
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, Ministry of Agricultural, National Engineering Laboratory for Animal Breeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, P.R. China
- Department of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, P.R. China
| | - Yachun Wang
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, Ministry of Agricultural, National Engineering Laboratory for Animal Breeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, P.R. China
- Department of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, P.R. China
| | - Qin Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, Ministry of Agricultural, National Engineering Laboratory for Animal Breeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, P.R. China
- Department of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, P.R. China
| | - Ying Yu
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, Ministry of Agricultural, National Engineering Laboratory for Animal Breeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, P.R. China
- Department of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, P.R. China
- * E-mail:
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11
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Wang XY, Guo YQ, Zhang WJ, Shao XX, Liu YL, Xu ZG, Guo ZY. The electrostatic interactions of relaxin-3 with receptor RXFP4 and the influence of its B-chain C-terminal conformation. FEBS J 2014; 281:2927-36. [PMID: 24802387 DOI: 10.1111/febs.12830] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2014] [Revised: 04/24/2014] [Accepted: 05/01/2014] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Xin-Yi Wang
- Institute of Protein Research; College of Life Sciences and Technology; Tongji University; Shanghai China
- Central Laboratory; Shanghai East Hospital; Tongji University School of Medicine; China
| | - Yu-Qi Guo
- Institute of Protein Research; College of Life Sciences and Technology; Tongji University; Shanghai China
| | - Wei-Jie Zhang
- Institute of Protein Research; College of Life Sciences and Technology; Tongji University; Shanghai China
| | - Xiao-Xia Shao
- Institute of Protein Research; College of Life Sciences and Technology; Tongji University; Shanghai China
| | - Ya-Li Liu
- Central Laboratory; Shanghai East Hospital; Tongji University School of Medicine; China
| | - Zeng-Guang Xu
- Central Laboratory; Shanghai East Hospital; Tongji University School of Medicine; China
| | - Zhan-Yun Guo
- Institute of Protein Research; College of Life Sciences and Technology; Tongji University; Shanghai China
- Central Laboratory; Shanghai East Hospital; Tongji University School of Medicine; China
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12
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Zhang WJ, Wang XY, Guo YQ, Luo X, Gao XJ, Shao XX, Liu YL, Xu ZG, Guo ZY. The highly conserved negatively charged Glu141 and Asp145 of the G-protein-coupled receptor RXFP3 interact with the highly conserved positively charged arginine residues of relaxin-3. Amino Acids 2014; 46:1393-402. [DOI: 10.1007/s00726-014-1705-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2013] [Accepted: 02/20/2014] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
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13
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Anand-Ivell R, Ivell R. Regulation of the reproductive cycle and early pregnancy by relaxin family peptides. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2014; 382:472-479. [PMID: 23994019 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2013.08.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2013] [Revised: 08/09/2013] [Accepted: 08/18/2013] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
The relaxin family of peptide hormones are structurally closely related to one another sharing a heterodimeric A-B structure, like that of insulin. They may also be active as unprocessed B-C-A pro-forms. Relaxin has been shown to pay a key role within the ovary, being involved in follicle growth, and ovulation. Relaxin is produced in large amounts also by the corpus luteum where it acts as an endocrine hormone positively affecting implantation, placentation and vascularization during the all-important first trimester phase of pregnancy establishment. Relaxin exerts its functions via the receptor RXFP1. Insulin-like peptide 3 (INSL3) in contrast acts through the related receptor RXFP2, and plays an essential role in the production of androgens within growing antral follicles. INSL3 is also produced in large amounts by the male fetus shortly after sex determination, where it controls the first transabdominal phase of testicular descent. However, this fetal INSL3 is also able to influence placental and maternal physiology, indicating associations with later preeclampsia and/or fetal growth restriction. Other members of this relaxin-like family of peptides, such as INSL4, INSL5 and INSL6 are less well studied, though all suggest modulatory roles in ovarian and/or placental function.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Richard Ivell
- Leibniz Institute for Farm Animal Biology, 18196 Dummerstorf, Germany.
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14
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Callander GE, Ma S, Ganella DE, Wimmer VC, Gundlach AL, Thomas WG, Bathgate RAD. Silencing relaxin-3 in nucleus incertus of adult rodents: a viral vector-based approach to investigate neuropeptide function. PLoS One 2012; 7:e42300. [PMID: 22876314 PMCID: PMC3410922 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0042300] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2012] [Accepted: 07/05/2012] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Relaxin-3, the most recently identified member of the relaxin peptide family, is produced by GABAergic projection neurons in the nucleus incertus (NI), in the pontine periventricular gray. Previous studies suggest relaxin-3 is a modulator of stress responses, metabolism, arousal and behavioural activation. Knockout mice and peptide infusions in vivo have significantly contributed to understanding the function of this conserved neuropeptide. Yet, a definitive role remains elusive due to discrepancies between models and a propensity to investigate pharmacological effects over endogenous function. To investigate the endogenous function of relaxin-3, we generated a recombinant adeno-associated viral (rAAV) vector expressing microRNA against relaxin-3 and validated its use to knock down relaxin-3 in adult rats. Bilateral stereotaxic infusion of rAAV1/2 EmGFP miR499 into the NI resulted in significant reductions in relaxin-3 expression as demonstrated by ablation of relaxin-3-like immunoreactivity at 3, 6 and 9 weeks and by qRT-PCR at 12 weeks. Neuronal health was unaffected as transduced neurons in all groups retained expression of NeuN and stained for Nissl bodies. Importantly, qRT-PCR confirmed that relaxin-3 receptor expression levels were not altered to compensate for reduced relaxin-3. Behavioural experiments confirmed no detrimental effects on general health or well-being and therefore several behavioural modalities previously associated with relaxin-3 function were investigated. The validation of this viral vector-based model provides a valuable alternative to existing in vivo approaches and promotes a shift towards more physiologically relevant investigations of endogenous neuropeptide function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabrielle E. Callander
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Florey Neuroscience Institutes, The University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- * E-mail: (GEC); (RADB)
| | - Sherie Ma
- Florey Neuroscience Institutes, The University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Medicine (Austin Health), The University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Despina E. Ganella
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Florey Neuroscience Institutes, The University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Verena C. Wimmer
- Florey Neuroscience Institutes, The University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Andrew L. Gundlach
- Florey Neuroscience Institutes, The University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, The University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Walter G. Thomas
- School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Queensland, Queensland, Australia
| | - Ross A. D. Bathgate
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Florey Neuroscience Institutes, The University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- * E-mail: (GEC); (RADB)
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15
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Design, recombinant expression and convenient A-chain N-terminal europium-labelling of a fully active human relaxin-3 analogue. FEBS J 2012; 279:1505-12. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1742-4658.2012.08550.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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16
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Site-specific DOTA/europium-labeling of recombinant human relaxin-3 for receptor-ligand interaction studies. Amino Acids 2011; 43:983-92. [DOI: 10.1007/s00726-011-1164-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2011] [Accepted: 11/17/2011] [Indexed: 10/14/2022]
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17
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Smith CM, Ryan PJ, Hosken IT, Ma S, Gundlach AL. Relaxin-3 systems in the brain—The first 10 years. J Chem Neuroanat 2011; 42:262-75. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jchemneu.2011.05.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2011] [Revised: 05/24/2011] [Accepted: 05/29/2011] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
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18
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Tanaka M. Relaxin-3/insulin-like peptide 7, a neuropeptide involved in the stress response and food intake. FEBS J 2010; 277:4990-7. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1742-4658.2010.07931.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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19
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Luo X, Liu YL, Layfield S, Shao XX, Bathgate RAD, Wade JD, Guo ZY. A simple approach for the preparation of mature human relaxin-3. Peptides 2010; 31:2083-8. [PMID: 20688116 DOI: 10.1016/j.peptides.2010.07.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2010] [Revised: 07/14/2010] [Accepted: 07/14/2010] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Relaxin-3 (also known as INSL7) is the most recently identified member of the insulin-like family. It is predominantly expressed in the nucleus incertus of the brain and involved in the control of stress response, food intake, and reproduction. In the present work, we have established a simple approach for the preparation of the mature human relaxin-3 peptide. We first designed and recombinantly expressed a single-chain relaxin-3 precursor in E. coli cells. After purification by immobilized metal ion affinity chromatography, refolding in vitro through disulfide reshuffling, and digestion by endoproteinase Asp-N, mature human relaxin-3 was obtained in high yield and at low cost. Peptide mapping and circular dichroism spectroscopy studies suggested that the recombinant relaxin-3 adopted an insulin-like fold with the expected disulfide linkages. The recombinant mature relaxin-3 was fully active in both RXFP3 binding and activation assays. The activity of the single-chain precursor was very low, suggesting that a free C-terminus of the B-chain is necessary for receptor-binding and activation of relaxin-3. Our present work provides a highly efficient approach for the preparation of relaxin-3 as well as its analogues for functional and structural analyses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao Luo
- Institute of Protein Research, Tongji University, 1239 Siping Road, Shanghai 200092, China
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Ivell R, Kotula-Balak M, Glynn D, Heng K, Anand-Ivell R. Relaxin family peptides in the male reproductive system--a critical appraisal. Mol Hum Reprod 2010; 17:71-84. [DOI: 10.1093/molehr/gaq086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
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21
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Callander GE, Bathgate RAD. Relaxin family peptide systems and the central nervous system. Cell Mol Life Sci 2010; 67:2327-41. [PMID: 20213277 PMCID: PMC11115692 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-010-0304-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2009] [Revised: 01/13/2010] [Accepted: 02/03/2010] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Since its discovery in the 1920s, relaxin has enjoyed a reputation as a peptide hormone of pregnancy. However, relaxin and other relaxin family peptides are now associated with numerous non-reproductive physiologies and disease states. The new millennium bought with it the sequence of the human genome and subsequently new directions for relaxin research. In 2002, the ancestral relaxin gene RLN3 was identified from genome databases. The relaxin-3 peptide is highly expressed in a small region of the brain and in species from teleost to primates and has both conserved sequence and sites of expression. Combined with the discovery of the relaxin family peptide receptors, interest in the role of the relaxin family peptides in the central nervous system has been reignited. This review explores the relaxin family peptides that are expressed in or act upon the brain, the receptors that mediate their actions, and what is currently known of their functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- G. E. Callander
- Florey Neuroscience Institutes and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3010 Australia
| | - R. A. D. Bathgate
- Florey Neuroscience Institutes and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3010 Australia
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