Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 17, 2026

Treatment of Ligament Constructs with Exercise-conditioned Serum: A Translational Tissue Engineering Model
Published on: June 11, 2017
Synthetic relaxins
Mohammed Akhter Hossain1, John D Wade1
1Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Victoria 3010, Australia; School of Chemistry, University of Melbourne, Victoria 3010, Australia.
Abstract:
The relaxin subfamily of peptides within the human insulin superfamily consists of seven members including relaxin-2 and relaxin-3. The former is a pleiotropic hormone that is a vasodilator and cardiac stimulant in the cardiovascular system and an antifibrotic agent whereas the latter is primarily a neuropeptide involved in stress and metabolic control. Both possess the unique three-disulfide heterodimeric peptide structure of insulin. Consequently, the synthesis, both chemical and biological, of relaxin-2 and relaxin-3 has long represented a special challenge to further understanding their structural and functional relationships. This review highlights past and recent developments in the use of chemical and recombinant DNA methods of synthesis of these peptides and current resulting knowledge of their biology.
Related Concept Videos
Classification of Skeletal Muscle Relaxants
Peripherally acting skeletal muscle relaxants interfere with the neurotransmission at the neuromuscular end plate to induce paralysis during...
Directly Acting Muscle Relaxants: Dantrolene and Botulinum Toxin
The binding of dantrolene to the RYR1...
Skeletal Muscle Relaxants: Therapeutic Uses
Peripherally and Centrally Acting Muscle Relaxants: A Comparison
Centrally acting muscle relaxants can be further divided into spasmolytic and antispasmodic drugs. Spasmolytic drugs,...
Centrally Acting Muscle Relaxants: Therapeutic Uses
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,...
Relaxation of Skeletal Muscles
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.

