Structure of a genomic clone encoding biologically active human relaxin.

Area of Science:

• Reproductive biology
• Endocrinology
• Molecular genetics

Background:

• Relaxin is a crucial pregnancy hormone for reproductive tract remodeling during childbirth.
• Limited human samples hinder direct structural analysis of human relaxin.
• Understanding human relaxin structure is key for managing difficult labor.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the structure of the human relaxin gene.
• To synthesize biologically active human relaxin.
• To explore clinical applications for difficult labor.

Main Methods:

• Screening for the human relaxin gene using a porcine relaxin cDNA probe.
• Identifying a genomic clone containing the human preprorelaxin gene.
• Determining the gene's coding region structure.
• Synthesizing and testing the biological activity of the hormone.

Main Results:

• Successfully identified a human genomic clone for preprorelaxin.
• Determined the complete coding region structure of the human preprorelaxin gene.
• Synthesized biologically active human relaxin from the identified gene structure.

Conclusions:

• The novel gene structure codes for authentic human relaxin.
• This represents the first synthesis of a biologically active hormone predicted solely from a genomic clone.
• The findings pave the way for potential clinical interventions in childbirth.