Recombinant Human Relaxin 2/RLN2 protein

Supplementary information

This supplementary information is collated from multiple sources and compiled automatically.

Relaxin 2 (RLN2) also known as human relaxin is a peptide hormone with a molecular mass of approximately 6 kDa. It belongs to the insulin superfamily. This hormone is secreted primarily by the corpus luteum during pregnancy but also gets expression in other tissues like the heart and kidney. Relaxin 2 plays an important role in reproductive physiology facilitating a range of mechanical processes essential for pregnancy such as remodeling the extracellular matrix and influencing the dilation of the cervix.

Biological function summary

The role of human relaxin involves modulating tissue growth and remodeling. It works by interacting with relaxin family peptide receptors mainly RXFP1. It is not part of a larger complex but has autonomous structural and functional capabilities. The hormone influences collagen metabolism and fibroblast activity enhancing the extensibility and elasticity of the tissues where it is active.

Pathways

Researchers have identified relaxin 2 as a critical component in the relaxin signaling pathway and involved in the transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) pathway. Its interaction with RXFP1 activates several intracellular signaling cascades including adenylate cyclase/cAMP pathway and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase pathway affecting proteins like collagen and matrix metalloproteinases. These pathways play a fundamental role in connective tissue remodeling and have implications in normal and pathological states.

Studies connect relaxin 2 to conditions such as cardiac fibrosis and scleroderma. In cardiac fibrosis relaxin 2 influences matrix metalloproteinases and collagen metabolism aiming to reduce pathological tissue stiffness. In scleroderma relaxin 2's potential to modulate excessive collagen deposition links it to mitigating disease symptoms alongside proteins like TGF-beta which play a part in the disease progression.