Relaxin Family Peptide Receptors – former orphans reunite with their parent ligands to activate multiple signalling pathways

The relaxin family peptides, although structurally closely related to insulin, act on a group of four G protein‐coupled receptors now known as Relaxin Family Peptide (RXFP) Receptors. The leucine‐rich repeat containing RXFP1 and RXFP2 and the small peptide‐like RXFP3 and RXFP4 are the physiological targets for relaxin, insulin‐like (INSL) peptide 3, relaxin‐3 and INSL5, respectively. RXFP1 and RXFP2 have at least two binding sites – a high‐affinity site in the leucine‐rich repeat region of the ectodomain and a lower‐affinity site in an exoloop of the transmembrane region. Although they respond to peptides that are structurally similar, RXFP3 and RXFP4 demonstrate distinct binding properties with relaxin‐3 being the only peptide that can recognize these receptors in addition to RXFP1. Activation of RXFP1 or RXFP2 causes increased cAMP and the initial response for both receptors is the resultant of Gs‐mediated activation and GoB‐mediated inhibition of adenylate cyclase. With RXFP1, an additional delayed increase in cAMP involves βγ subunits released from Gi3. In contrast, RXFP3 and RXFP4 inhibit adenylate cyclase and RXFP3 causes ERK1/2 phosphorylation. Drugs acting at RXFP1 have potential for the treatment of diseases involving tissue fibrosis such as cardiac and renal failure, asthma and scleroderma and may also be useful to facilitate embryo implantation. Activators of RXFP2 may be useful to treat cryptorchidism and infertility and inhibitors have potential as contraceptives. Studies of the distribution and function of RXFP3 suggest that it is a potential target for anti‐anxiety and anti‐obesity drugs. British Journal of Pharmacology (2007) 150, 677–691. doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0707140