Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Experiment Videos

The relaxin-like factor is a hormone.

E E Büllesbach1, R Rhodes, B Rembiesa

  • 1Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston 29425, USA.

Endocrine
|August 18, 1999
PubMed
Summary

Relaxin-like factor (RLF) functions as a hormone in humans, detectable in blood serum. Highest RLF levels are found in postpuberty males, significantly lower in females and children.

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

A randomized, double-blind, single-dose study to assess bioequivalence of MB02 biosimilar after manufacturing iteration and reference bevacizumab.

Pharmacology research & perspectives·2023
Same author

Decisions on Innovation or Research for Devastating Disease.

The American journal of bioethics : AJOB·2021
Same author

A paradigm for understanding trust and mistrust in medical research: The Community VOICES study.

AJOB empirical bioethics·2018
Same author

Changes of plasma concentrations of insulin-like peptide 3 and testosterone, and their association with scrotal circumference during pubertal development in male goats.

Theriogenology·2017
Same author

Effects of long-acting GnRH antagonist, degarelix acetate, on plasma insulin-like peptide 3, testosterone and luteinizing hormone concentrations, and scrotal circumference in male goats.

Theriogenology·2016
Same author

Acute regulation of plasma insulin-like peptide 3 concentrations by luteinizing hormone in male goats.

Theriogenology·2016

Area of Science:

  • Endocrinology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Human Physiology

Background:

  • The relaxin-like factor (RLF) is a substance circulating in human blood.
  • RLF interacts with a cell membrane protein, exhibiting ligand-receptor binding characteristics.
  • Its hormonal nature necessitates further investigation into its physiological roles and concentrations.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To confirm the hormonal status of RLF.
  • To develop a sensitive assay for measuring RLF concentrations in human serum.
  • To determine the typical serum levels of RLF in different demographic groups.

Main Methods:

  • Generation of a polyclonal antibody against synthetic human RLF.
  • Assay validation for specificity against related hormones (insulin, relaxin).
  • Determination of assay sensitivity (ED50 at 100 pM) for direct serum RLF measurement.

Main Results:

  • The developed antibody showed no cross-reactivity with insulin or relaxin, confirming RLF specificity.
  • The assay enabled direct measurement of RLF in serum samples.
  • Serum RLF concentrations were highest in postpuberty males (190 pM).
  • Females and children exhibited RLF concentrations one order of magnitude lower than adult males.

Conclusions:

  • RLF meets the definition of a hormone based on its interaction with a specific receptor.
  • A sensitive and specific assay for human RLF has been established.
  • RLF serum levels exhibit significant variation, with notably higher concentrations in adult males compared to females and children.

Related Experiment Videos