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Related Concept Videos

Relaxation of Skeletal Muscles01:29

Relaxation of Skeletal Muscles

The period of muscle contraction primarily influences the duration of stimulation at the neuromuscular junction (NMJ), the presence of free calcium ions in the sarcoplasm, and the availability of energy or ATP to support contractions.
When an action potential reaches the axon terminal, it depolarizes the membrane and opens voltage-gated sodium channels. Sodium ions enter the cell, further depolarizing the presynaptic membrane. This depolarization causes voltage-gated calcium channels to open.
Peripherally and Centrally Acting Muscle Relaxants: A Comparison01:09

Peripherally and Centrally Acting Muscle Relaxants: A Comparison

Skeletal muscle relaxants can target the central nervous system [CNS] to reduce muscle tension or act directly at the neuromuscular junction to induce temporary paralysis. These two classes of muscle relaxants are called centrally acting muscle relaxants and peripherally acting muscle relaxants. They differ in their action, mechanism, administration route, and clinical uses.
Centrally acting muscle relaxants can be further divided into spasmolytic and antispasmodic drugs. Spasmolytic drugs,...
Skeletal Muscle Relaxants: Therapeutic Uses01:31

Skeletal Muscle Relaxants: Therapeutic Uses

Skeletal muscle relaxants are used to relax muscle tone and alleviate painful muscle contractions. However, the choice of skeletal muscle relaxants depends on the duration of the surgical procedure in order to minimize potential side effects. Skeletal muscle relaxants like neuromuscular blocking agents [NMBAs] are commonly employed as adjuvants alongside general anesthetics in clinical settings. NMBAs are also used to maintain controlled ventilation during surgery of the larynx or pharynx as...
Classification of Skeletal Muscle Relaxants01:28

Classification of Skeletal Muscle Relaxants

Skeletal muscle relaxants are a group of drugs that can reduce muscle stiffness and induce temporary paralysis to relieve pain. These agents can act centrally to reduce muscle tone or spasms in painful conditions such as multiple sclerosis (MS), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), or spinal injuries; they are called antispasmodics or spasmolytics.
Peripherally acting skeletal muscle relaxants interfere with the neurotransmission at the neuromuscular end plate to induce paralysis during...
Centrally Acting Muscle Relaxants: Therapeutic Uses01:24

Centrally Acting Muscle Relaxants: Therapeutic Uses

Centrally acting muscle relaxants reduce muscle tone and tension by interfering with the postsynaptic reflexes in the central nervous system.
Centrally acting drugs are classified into spasmolytic and antispasmodic drugs. Spasmolytic drugs such as baclofen, diazepam, and tizanidine inhibit spinal motor neurons and decrease muscle tone. Spasmolytic drugs are administered for severe and chronic spasms due to multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, stroke, and spinal cord and muscle injuries. However,...
Directly Acting Muscle Relaxants: Dantrolene and Botulinum Toxin01:26

Directly Acting Muscle Relaxants: Dantrolene and Botulinum Toxin

Directly acting muscle relaxants like dantrolene and botulinum toxin (BoNT) have distinct mechanisms and applications. Dantrolene, a hydantoin derivative, acts on the ryanodine receptor (RYR1) in skeletal muscle cells. RYR1 are calcium channels present at the sarcoplasmic reticulum membrane. In response to excitation, they release calcium ions from the sarcoplasmic reticulum to the cytosol. Calcium promotes actin-myosin-mediated contraction of muscles.
The binding of dantrolene to the RYR1...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 23, 2026

Mechanical Control of Relaxation Using Intact Cardiac Trabeculae
07:51

Mechanical Control of Relaxation Using Intact Cardiac Trabeculae

Published on: February 17, 2023

Structural insights into the function of relaxins.

K Johan Rosengren1, Ross A D Bathgate, David J Craik

  • 1School of Pure and Applied Natural Sciences, University of Kalmar, Kalmar, Sweden. johan.rosengren@hik.se

Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences
|May 7, 2009
PubMed
Summary

Structural analysis of relaxin peptides reveals dynamic folds and sequence-structure-activity relationships. These insights into relaxin-3, insulin-like peptide 3 (INSL3), and INSL5 aid understanding of their receptor interactions.

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Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Structural Biology
  • Endocrinology

Background:

  • Relaxin peptide hormones belong to the insulin superfamily, featuring a conserved structural fold with three disulfide bonds.
  • Relaxin receptors are G-protein-coupled receptors, with varying selectivity for different relaxin peptides.
  • Relaxin-3 exhibits broad receptor interaction, activating multiple receptor types.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate how primary sequence variations influence the structure and receptor interaction of relaxin-like peptides.
  • To elucidate the structure-activity relationships of relaxin family members.

Main Methods:

  • Solution nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) analysis was employed to study relaxin-like peptides.
  • Three-dimensional structures of relaxin-3, insulin-like peptide 3 (INSL3), and INSL5 were determined.
  • Mutational studies were conducted in conjunction with structural data.

Main Results:

  • NMR analysis revealed significant dynamics in the peptide structures, particularly around the intra-A-chain disulfide bond.
  • Despite a common structural core, distinct differences were observed, especially at the peptide termini.
  • Structural data provided insights into how sequence modifications affect receptor binding.

Conclusions:

  • The relaxin peptide fold, while stabilized by disulfide bonds, possesses inherent flexibility.
  • Sequence variations, particularly at the termini, significantly impact the structure and receptor interaction profiles.
  • Understanding these structure-activity relationships is crucial for deciphering relaxin signaling pathways.