Relaxin

Relaxins are peptide hormones in vertebrates, which were first described in 1926 by Frederick Lee Hisaw. In three human relaxins are known, as well as four relaxin receptors, both Relaxin -1 and -2 dock relaxin receptors 1 and 2, whereas relaxin -3 and the relaxin -3 receptor 1 and 2 belong together. In addition, relaxin -3 ligand for the relaxin receptor 1 is These are G- protein -coupled receptors.

Relaxin -1 and -2 is formed in women especially during the pregnancy in the ovaries. A function is the relaxation of the cervix during labor. Relaxin -3 has a possible role in neuropeptide signaling processes. All relaxins have an insulin-like structure: two protein chains are cut out from a precursor, and two disulfide linked.