Resolving the Unconventional Mechanisms Underlying RXFP1 and RXFP2 Receptor Function

The diverse influences of relaxin-like peptide family on tumor progression: Potential opportunities and emerging challenges

Relaxin-like peptide family exhibit differential expression patterns in various types of cancers and play a role in cancer development. This family participates in tumorigenic processes encompassing proliferation, migration, invasion, tumor microenvironment, immune microenvironment, and anti-cancer resistance, ultimately influencing patient prognosis. In this review, we explore the mechanisms underlying the interaction between the RLN-like peptide family and tumors and provide an overview of therapeutic approaches utilizing this interaction.

Analgesic effect of central relaxin receptor activation on persistent inflammatory pain in mice: behavioral and neurochemical data

Supplemental Digital Content is Available in the Text. Relaxin peptide analogues produce strong but transient analgesia in inflammatory pain in mouse. Relaxin and its RXFP1 receptor represent a new peptidergic system that modulates pain processing in the forebrain areas.

Introduction:

The relaxin peptide signaling system is involved in diverse physiological processes, but its possible roles in the brain, including nociception, are largely unexplored.

Objective:

In light of abundant expression of relaxin receptor (RXFP1) mRNA/protein in brain regions involved in pain processing, we investigated the effects of central RXFP1 activation on nociceptive behavior in a mouse model of inflammatory pain and examined the neurochemical phenotype and connectivity of relaxin and RXFP1 mRNA-positive neurons.

Methods:

Mice were injected with Complete Freund Adjuvant (CFA) into a hind paw. After 4 days, the RXFP1 agonist peptides, H2-relaxin or B7-33, ± the RXFP1 antagonist, B-R13/17K-H2, were injected into the lateral cerebral ventricle, and mechanical and thermal sensitivity were assessed at 30 to 120 minutes. Relaxin and RXFP1 mRNA in excitatory and inhibitory neurons were examined using multiplex, fluorescent in situ hybridization. Relaxin-containing neurons were detected using immunohistochemistry and their projections assessed using fluorogold retrograde tract-tracing.

Results:

Both H2-relaxin and B7-33 produced a strong, but transient, reduction in mechanical and thermal sensitivity of the CFA-injected hind paw alone, at 30 minutes postinjection. Notably, coinjection of B-R13/17K-H2 blocked mechanical, but not thermal, analgesia. In the claustrum, cingulate cortex, and subiculum, RXFP1 mRNA was expressed in excitatory neurons. Relaxin immunoreactivity was detected in neurons in forebrain and midbrain areas involved in pain processing and sending projections to the RXFP1-rich, claustrum and cingulate cortex. No changes were detected in CFA mice.

Conclusion:

Our study identified a previously unexplored peptidergic system that can control pain processing in the brain and produce analgesia.

Evidence for existence of insulin-like factor 3 (INSL3) hormone-receptor system in the ovarian corpus luteum and extra-ovarian reproductive organs during pregnancy in goats

Insulin-like factor 3 (INSL3), initially described as a male hormone, is expressed in female reproductive organs during the estrous cycle and pregnancy but its function has not yet been established. This study explores the function of INSL3 in pregnant Saanen goats by characterizing the expression dynamics of INSL3 and its receptor, relaxin family peptide receptor 2 (RXFP2) and by demonstrating specific INSL3 binding in reproductive organs, using molecular and immunological approaches and ligand-receptor interaction assays. We demonstrate that the corpus luteum (CL) acts as both a source and target of INSL3 in pregnant goats, while extra-ovarian reproductive organs serve as additional INSL3 targets. The expression of INSL3 and RXFP2 in the CL reached maximum levels in middle pregnancy, followed by a decrease in late pregnancy; in contrast, RXFP2 expression levels in extra-ovarian reproductive organs were higher in the mammary glands but lower in the uterus, cervix and placenta and did not significantly change during pregnancy. The functional RXFP2 enabling INSL3 to bind was identified as an ~ 85 kDa protein in both the CL and mammary glands and localized in large and small luteal cells in the CL and in tubuloalveolar and ductal epithelial cells in the mammary glands. Additionally, INSL3 also bound to multiple cell types expressing RXFP2 in the uterus, cervix and placenta in a hormone-specific and saturable manner. These results provide evidence that an active intra- and extra-ovarian INSL3 hormone-receptor system operates during pregnancy in goats.

FTO Intronic SNP Strongly Influences Human Neck Adipocyte Browning Determined by Tissue and PPARγ Specific Regulation: A Transcriptome Analysis

Brown adipocytes, abundant in deep-neck (DN) area in humans, are thermogenic with anti-obesity potential. FTO pro-obesity rs1421085 T-to-C single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) shifts differentiation program towards white adipocytes in subcutaneous fat. Human adipose-derived stromal cells were obtained from subcutaneous neck (SC) and DN fat of nine donors, of which 3-3 carried risk-free (T/T), heterozygous or obesity-risk (C/C) FTO genotypes. They were differentiated to white and brown (long-term Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) stimulation) adipocytes; then, global RNA sequencing was performed and differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were compared. DN and SC progenitors had similar adipocyte differentiation potential but differed in DEGs. DN adipocytes displayed higher browning features according to ProFAT or BATLAS scores and characteristic DEG patterns revealing associated pathways which were highly expressed (thermogenesis, interferon, cytokine, and retinoic acid, with UCP1 and BMP4 as prominent network stabilizers) or downregulated (particularly extracellular matrix remodeling) compared to SC ones. Part of DEGs in either DN or SC browning was PPARγ-dependent. Presence of the FTO obesity-risk allele suppressed the expression of mitochondrial and thermogenesis genes with a striking resemblance between affected pathways and those appearing in ProFAT and BATLAS, underlining the importance of metabolic and mitochondrial pathways in thermogenesis. Among overlapping regulatory influences that determine browning and thermogenic potential of neck adipocytes, FTO genetic background has a thus far not recognized prominence.

Using the novel HiBiT tag to label cell surface relaxin receptors for BRET proximity analysis

Relaxin family peptide 1 (RXFP1) is the receptor for relaxin a peptide hormone with important therapeutic potential. Like many G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), RXFP1 has been reported to form homodimers. Given the complex activation mechanism of RXFP1 by relaxin, we wondered whether homodimerization may be explicitly required for receptor activation, and therefore sought to determine if there is any relaxin-dependent change in RXFP1 proximity at the cell surface. Bioluminescence resonance energy transfer (BRET) between recombinantly tagged receptors is often used in GPCR proximity studies. RXFP1 targets poorly to the cell surface when overexpressed in cell lines, with the majority of the receptor proteins sequestered within the cell. Thus, any relaxin-induced changes in RXFP1 proximity at the cell surface may be obscured by BRET signal originating from intracellular compartments. We therefore, utilized the newly developed split luciferase system called HiBiT to specifically label the extracellular terminus of cell surface RXFP1 receptors in combination with mCitrine-tagged receptors, using the GABAB heterodimer as a positive control. This demonstrated that the BRET signal detected from RXFP1-RXFP1 proximity at the cell surface does not appear to be due to stable physical interactions. The fact that there is also no relaxin-mediated change in RXFP1-RXFP1 proximity at the cell surface further supports these conclusions. This work provides a basis by which cell surface GPCR proximity and expression levels can be specifically studied using a facile and homogeneous labeling technique such as HiBiT.

RXFP1 Receptor Activation by Relaxin-2 Induces Vascular Relaxation in Mice via a Gαi2-Protein/PI3Kß/γ/Nitric Oxide-Coupled Pathway

Background: Relaxins are small peptide hormones, which are novel candidate molecules that play important roles in cardiometablic syndrome. Relaxins are structurally related to the insulin hormone superfamily, which provide vasodilatory effects by activation of G-protein-coupled relaxin receptors (RXFPs) and stimulation of endogenous nitric oxide (NO) generation. Recently, relaxin could be demonstrated to activate G_i proteins and phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) pathways in cultured endothelial cells in vitro. However, the contribution of the G_i-PI3K pathway and their individual components in relaxin-dependent relaxation of intact arteries remains elusive.

Methods: We used Gα_i2- (Gnai2^-/-) and Gα_i3-deficient (Gnai3^-/-) mice, pharmacological tools and wire myography to study G-protein-coupled signaling pathways involved in relaxation of mouse isolated mesenteric arteries by relaxins. Human relaxin-1, relaxin-2, and relaxin-3 were tested.

Results: Relaxin-2 (∼50% relaxation at 10^-11 M) was the most potent vasodilatory relaxin in mouse mesenteric arteries, compared to relaxin-1 and relaxin-3. The vasodilatory effects of relaxin-2 were inhibited by removal of the endothelium or treatment of the vessels with N (G)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME, endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) inhibitor) or simazine (RXFP1 inhibitor). The vasodilatory effects of relaxin-2 were absent in arteries of mice treated with pertussis toxin (PTX). They were also absent in arteries isolated from Gnai2^-/- mice, but not from Gnai3^-/- mice. The effects were not affected by FR900359 (Gα_q protein inhibitor) or PI-103 (PI3Kα inhibitor), but inhibited by TGX-221 (PI3Kβ inhibitor) or AS-252424 (PI3Kγ inhibitor). Simazine did not influence the anti-contractile effect of perivascular adipose tissue.

Conclusion: Our data indicate that relaxin-2 produces endothelium- and NO-dependent relaxation of mouse mesenteric arteries by activation of RXFP1 coupled to G_i2-PI3K-eNOS pathway. Targeting vasodilatory G_i-protein-coupled RXFP1 pathways may provide promising opportunities for drug discovery in endothelial dysfunction and cardiometabolic disease.

Serum relaxin-3 hormone relationship to male delayed puberty

Puberty is the transitional period between childhood and adulthood, a process encompassing morphological, physiological and behavioural development to attain full reproductive capability. This study aimed to assess serum relaxin-3 hormone relationship with male delayed puberty. Sixty males were investigated as two equal groups: males with delayed puberty and healthy matched males as controls. They were subjected to history taking, clinical examination and estimation of serum FSH, LH, testosterone, relaxin-3 hormonal levels. The results showed that the secondary sexual characters in the patients group were at Tanner stages 1-2 and in the healthy controls at Tanner stages 3-5. The mean BMI in the patients group was significantly increased, whereas the mean levels of the span, testicular volume, serum LH, FSH, testosterone as well as relaxin-3 hormonal levels were significantly decreased compared with the healthy controls. Serum relaxin-3 levels showed significant positive correlation with the age, testis volume, span, Tanner stages, serum testosterone, FSH, LH hormones. In addition, serum relaxin-3 levels showed significant negative correlation with BMI. It is concluded that serum level of relaxin-3 hormone is an important mediator in the pathophysiological process of normal puberty being significantly decreased in males with delayed puberty.

International Union of Basic and Clinical Pharmacology. XCV. Recent advances in the understanding of the pharmacology and biological roles of relaxin family peptide receptors 1-4, the receptors for relaxin family peptides

Relaxin, insulin-like peptide 3 (INSL3), relaxin-3, and INSL5 are the cognate ligands for the relaxin family peptide (RXFP) receptors 1-4, respectively. RXFP1 activates pleiotropic signaling pathways including the signalosome protein complex that facilitates high-sensitivity signaling; coupling to Gα(s), Gα(i), and Gα(o) proteins; interaction with glucocorticoid receptors; and the formation of hetero-oligomers with distinctive pharmacological properties. In addition to relaxin-related ligands, RXFP1 is activated by Clq-tumor necrosis factor-related protein 8 and by small-molecular-weight agonists, such as ML290 [2-isopropoxy-N-(2-(3-(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)phenylcarbamoyl)phenyl)benzamide], that act allosterically. RXFP2 activates only the Gα(s)- and Gα(o)-coupled pathways. Relaxin-3 is primarily a neuropeptide, and its cognate receptor RXFP3 is a target for the treatment of depression, anxiety, and autism. A variety of peptide agonists, antagonists, biased agonists, and an allosteric modulator target RXFP3. Both RXFP3 and the related RXFP4 couple to Gα(i)/Gα(o) proteins. INSL5 has the properties of an incretin; it is secreted from the gut and is orexigenic. The expression of RXFP4 in gut, adipose tissue, and β-islets together with compromised glucose tolerance in INSL5 or RXFP4 knockout mice suggests a metabolic role. This review focuses on the many advances in our understanding of RXFP receptors in the last 5 years, their signal transduction mechanisms, the development of novel compounds that target RXFP1-4, the challenges facing the field, and current prospects for new therapeutics.

Investigation of interactions at the extracellular loops of the relaxin family peptide receptor 1 (RXFP1)

Relaxin, an emerging pharmaceutical treatment for acute heart failure, activates the relaxin family peptide receptor (RXFP1), which is a class A G-protein-coupled receptor. In addition to the classic transmembrane (TM) domain, RXFP1 possesses a large extracellular domain consisting of 10 leucine-rich repeats and an N-terminal low density lipoprotein class A (LDLa) module. Relaxin-mediated activation of RXFP1 requires multiple coordinated interactions between the ligand and various receptor domains including a high affinity interaction involving the leucine-rich repeats and a predicted lower affinity interaction involving the extracellular loops (ELs). The LDLa is essential for signal activation; therefore the ELs/TM may additionally present an interaction site to facilitate this LDLa-mediated signaling. To overcome the many challenges of investigating relaxin and the LDLa module interactions with the ELs, we engineered the EL1 and EL2 loops onto a soluble protein scaffold, mapping specific ligand and loop interactions using nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Key EL residues were subsequently mutated in RXFP1, and changes in function and relaxin binding were assessed alongside the RXFP1 agonist ML290 to monitor the functional integrity of the TM domain of these mutant receptors. The outcomes of this work make an important contribution to understanding the mechanism of RXFP1 activation and will aid future development of small molecule RXFP1 agonists/antagonists.

The relaxin receptor (RXFP1) utilizes hydrophobic moieties on a signaling surface of its N-terminal low density lipoprotein class A module to mediate receptor activation

The peptide hormone relaxin is showing potential as a treatment for acute heart failure. Although it is known that relaxin mediates its actions through the G protein-coupled receptor relaxin family peptide receptor 1 (RXFP1), little is known about the molecular mechanisms by which relaxin binding results in receptor activation. Previous studies have highlighted that the unique N-terminal low density lipoprotein class A (LDLa) module of RXFP1 is essential for receptor activation, and it has been hypothesized that this module is the true "ligand" of the receptor that directs the conformational changes necessary for G protein coupling. In this study, we confirmed that an RXFP1 receptor lacking the LDLa module binds ligand normally but cannot signal through any characterized G protein-coupled receptor signaling pathway. Furthermore, we comprehensively examined the contributions of amino acids in the LDLa module to RXFP1 activity using both gain-of-function and loss-of-function mutational analysis together with NMR structural analysis of recombinant LDLa modules. Gain-of-function studies with an inactive RXFP1 chimera containing the LDLa module of the human LDL receptor (LB2) demonstrated two key N-terminal regions of the module that were able to rescue receptor signaling. Loss-of-function mutations of residues in these regions demonstrated that Leu-7, Tyr-9, and Lys-17 all contributed to the ability of the LDLa module to drive receptor activation, and judicious amino acid substitutions suggested this involves hydrophobic interactions. Our results demonstrate that these key residues contribute to interactions driving the active receptor conformation, providing further evidence of a unique mode of G protein-coupled receptor activation.

Relaxin family peptides and their receptors

There are seven relaxin family peptides that are all structurally related to insulin. Relaxin has many roles in female and male reproduction, as a neuropeptide in the central nervous system, as a vasodilator and cardiac stimulant in the cardiovascular system, and as an antifibrotic agent. Insulin-like peptide-3 (INSL3) has clearly defined specialist roles in male and female reproduction, relaxin-3 is primarily a neuropeptide involved in stress and metabolic control, and INSL5 is widely distributed particularly in the gastrointestinal tract. Although they are structurally related to insulin, the relaxin family peptides produce their physiological effects by activating a group of four G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), relaxin family peptide receptors 1-4 (RXFP1-4). Relaxin and INSL3 are the cognate ligands for RXFP1 and RXFP2, respectively, that are leucine-rich repeat containing GPCRs. RXFP1 activates a wide spectrum of signaling pathways to generate second messengers that include cAMP and nitric oxide, whereas RXFP2 activates a subset of these pathways. Relaxin-3 and INSL5 are the cognate ligands for RXFP3 and RXFP4 that are closely related to small peptide receptors that when activated inhibit cAMP production and activate MAP kinases. Although there are still many unanswered questions regarding the mode of action of relaxin family peptides, it is clear that they have important physiological roles that could be exploited for therapeutic benefit.

Identification of key residues essential for the structural fold and receptor selectivity within the A-chain of human gene-2 (H2) relaxin

Human gene-2 (H2) relaxin is currently in Phase III clinical trials for the treatment of acute heart failure. It is a 53-amino acid insulin-like peptide comprising two chains and three disulfide bonds. It interacts with two of the relaxin family peptide (RXFP) receptors. Although its cognate receptor is RXFP1, it is also able to cross-react with RXFP2, the native receptor for a related peptide, insulin-like peptide 3. In order to understand the basis of this cross-reactivity, it is important to elucidate both binding and activation mechanisms of this peptide. The primary binding mechanism of this hormone has been extensively studied and well defined. H2 relaxin binds to the leucine-rich repeats of RXFP1 and RXFP2 using B-chain-specific residues. However, little is known about the secondary interaction that involves the A-chain of H2 relaxin and transmembrane exoloops of the receptors. We demonstrate here through extensive mutation of the A-chain that the secondary interaction between H2 relaxin and RXFP1 is not driven by any single amino acid, although residues Tyr-3, Leu-20, and Phe-23 appear to contribute. Interestingly, these same three residues are important drivers of the affinity and activity of H2 relaxin for RXFP2 with additional minor contributions from Lys-9, His-12, Lys-17, Arg-18, and Arg-22. Our results provide new insights into the mechanism of secondary activation interaction of RXFP1 and RXFP2 by H2 relaxin, leading to a potent and RXFP1-selective analog, H2:A(4-24)(F23A), which was tested in vitro and in vivo and found to significantly inhibit collagen deposition similar to native H2 relaxin.

The different ligand-binding modes of relaxin family peptide receptors RXFP1 and RXFP2

Relaxin and insulin-like peptide 3 (INSL3) are peptide hormones with a number of important physiological roles in reproduction, regulation of extracellular matrix turnover, and cardiovascular function. Relaxin and INSL3 mediate their actions through the closely related G-protein coupled receptors, relaxin family peptide receptors 1 and 2 (RXFP1 and RXFP2), respectively. These receptors have large extracellular domains (ECD) that contain high-affinity ligand-binding sites within their 10 leucine-rich repeat (LRR)-containing modules. Although relaxin can bind and activate both RXFP1 and RXFP2, INSL3 can only bind and activate RXFP2. To investigate whether this difference is related to the nature of the high-affinity ECD binding site or to differences in secondary binding sites involving the receptor transmembrane (TM) domain, we created a suite of constructs with RXFP1/2 chimeric ECD attached to single TM helices. We show that by changing as little as one LRR, representing four amino acid substitutions, we were able to engineer a high-affinity INSL3-binding site into the ECD of RXFP1. Molecular modeling of the INSL3-RXFP2 interaction based on extensive experimental data highlights the differences in the binding mechanisms of relaxin and INSL3 to the ECD of their cognate receptors. Interestingly, when the engineered RXFP1/2 ECD were introduced into full-length RXFP1 constructs, INSL3 exhibited only low affinity and efficacy on these receptors. These results highlight critical differences both in the ECD binding and in the coordination of the ECD-binding site with the TM domain, and provide new mechanistic insights into the binding and activation events of RXFP1 and RXFP2 by their native hormone ligands.

The structural determinants of insulin-like Peptide 3 activity

Insulin-like peptide 3 (INSL3) is a hormone and/or paracrine factor which is a member of the relaxin peptide family. It has key roles as a fertility regulator in both males and females. The receptor for INSL3 is the leucine rich repeat (LRR) containing G-protein coupled receptor 8 (LGR8) which is now known as relaxin family peptide receptor 2 (RXFP2). Receptor activation by INSL3 involves binding to the LRRs in the large ectodomain of RXFP2 by residues within the B-chain of INSL3 as well as an interaction with the transmembrane exoloops of the receptor. Although the binding to the LRRs is well characterized the features of the peptide and receptor involved in the exoloop interaction are currently unknown. This study was designed to determine the key INSL3 determinants for RXFP2 activation. A chimeric peptide approach was first utilized to demonstrate that the A-chain is critical for receptor activation. Replacement of the INSL3 A-chain with that from the related peptides INSL5 and INSL6 resulted in complete loss of activity despite only minor changes in binding affinity. Subsequent replacement of specific A-chain residues with those from the INSL5 peptide highlighted that the N-terminus of the A-chain of INSL3 is critical for its activity. Remarkably, replacement of the entire N-terminus with four or five alanine residues resulted in peptides with near native activity suggesting that specific residues are not necessary for activity. Additionally removal of two amino acids at the C-terminus of the A-chain and mutation of Lys-8 in the B-chain also resulted in minor decreases in peptide activity. Therefore we have demonstrated that the activity of the INSL3 peptide is driven predominantly by residues 5-9 in the A-chain, with minor additional contributions from the two C-terminal A-chain residues and Lys-8 in the B-chain. Using this new knowledge, we were able to produce a truncated INSL3 peptide structure which retained native activity, despite having 14 fewer residues than the parent peptide.

The minimal active structure of human relaxin-2

H2 relaxin is a peptide hormone associated with a number of therapeutically relevant physiological effects, including regulation of collagen metabolism and multiple vascular control pathways. It is currently in phase III clinical trials for the treatment of acute heart failure due to its ability to induce vasodilation and influence renal function. It comprises 53 amino acids and is characterized by two separate polypeptide chains (A-B) that are cross-linked by three disulfide bonds. This size and complex structure represents a considerable challenge for the chemical synthesis of H2 relaxin, a major limiting factor for the exploration of modifications and derivatizations of this peptide, to optimize effect and drug-like characteristics. To address this issue, we describe the solid phase peptide synthesis and structural and functional evaluation of 24 analogues of H2 relaxin with truncations at the termini of its peptide chains. We show that it is possible to significantly truncate both the N and C termini of the B-chain while still retaining potent biological activity. This suggests that these regions are not critical for interactions with the H2 relaxin receptor, RXFP1. In contrast, truncations do reduce the activity of H2 relaxin for the related receptor RXFP2 by improving RXFP1 selectivity. In addition to new mechanistic insights into the function of H2 relaxin, this study identifies a critical active core with 38 amino acids. This minimized core shows similar antifibrotic activity as native H2 relaxin when tested in human BJ3 cells and thus represents an attractive receptor-selective lead for the development of novel relaxin therapeutics.

Design and development of analogues of dimers of insulin-like peptide 3 B-chain as high-affinity antagonists of the RXFP2 receptor

Insulin-like peptide 3 (INSL3) is one of 10 members of the human relaxin-insulin superfamily of peptides. It is a peptide hormone that is expressed by fetal and postnatal testicular Leydig cells and postnatal ovarian thecal cells. It mediates testicular descent during fetal life and suppresses sperm apoptosis in adult males, whereas, in females, it causes oocyte maturation. INSL3 has also been shown to promote thyroid tumor growth and angiogenesis in human. These actions of INSL3 are mediated through its G protein-coupled receptor, RXFP2. INSL3, a two-chained peptide, binds to its receptor primarily via its B-chain, whereas elements of the A-chain are essential for receptor activation. In an attempt to design a high-affinity antagonist with potential clinical application as an anticancer agent as well as a contraceptive, we have previously prepared a synthetic parallel dimer of INSL3 B-chain and demonstrated that it binds to RXFP2 with high affinity. In this work, we undertook full pharmacological characterization of this peptide and show that it can antaogonize INSL3-mediated cAMP signaling through RXFP2. Further refinement by truncation of 18 residues yielded a minimized analogue that retained full binding affinity and INSL3 antagonism. It is an attractive lead peptide for in vivo evaluation as an inhibitor of male and female fertility and of INSL3-mediated carcinogenesis.

Biological role and clinical significance of insulin-like peptide 3

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Insulin-like peptide 3 (INSL3) is the subject of a fast expanding literature reflecting increasing clinical application, particularly as a diagnostic parameter. This review summarizes the recent INSL3 literature published within the last 12-18 months.

RECENT FINDINGS

Significant inroads have been made to understand how INSL3 is working in testicular descent. It also has other functions in the adult, for example in bone metabolism, extending its role as a largely gender-specific hormone. Advances in molecular pharmacology have increased our understanding of INSL3 interaction with its specific receptor, RXFP2, and delivered new high-affinity antagonists. INSL3 is increasingly being used to assess Leydig cell functional capacity within the testis, independently of factors affecting the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis, being a robust parameter by comparison with testosterone. Particularly in the aging male, metabolic syndrome, and the effects of adiposity on testis function, INSL3 is a valuable adjunct to the standard clinical repertoire.

SUMMARY

The Leydig cell hormone INSL3 is responsible for the first phase of testicular descent during pregnancy and may have multiple roles as a gender-specific circulating hormone in the adult reflecting Leydig cell functional capacity. In women, INSL3 is a paracrine factor within the ovary and probably placenta, in which it may have a fetal gender-specific role.

Membrane receptors: structure and function of the relaxin family peptide receptors

The receptors for members of the relaxin peptide family have only recently been discovered and are G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). Relaxin and insulin-like peptide 3 (INSL3) interact with the leucine-rich-repeat-containing GPCRs (LGRs) LGR7 and LGR8, respectively. These receptors show closest similarity to the glycoprotein hormone receptors and contain large ectodomains with 10 leucine-rich repeats (LRRs) but are unique members of the LGR family (class C) as they have an LDL class A (LDLa) module at their N-terminus. In contrast, relaxin-3 and INSL5 interact with another class of type I GPCRs which lack a large ectodomain, the peptide receptors GPCR135 and GPCR142, respectively. These receptors are now classified as relaxin family peptide (RXFP) receptors, RXFP1 (LGR7), RXFP2 (LGR8), RXFP3 (GPCR135) and RXFP4 (GPCR142). This review outlines the identification of the peptides and receptors, their expression profiles and physiological roles and the functional interactions of the peptides with their unique receptors.