Evolution of the Relaxin-Like Peptide Family: From Neuropeptide to Reproduction

: The relaxin‐like peptide family consists of relaxin‐1, relaxin‐2, and relaxin‐3 and the insulin‐like peptides (INSL)‐3, INSL4, INSL5, and INSL6 (human relaxin‐2 is equivalent to relaxin‐1 in other species). Evolution of this family has been contentious. We therefore sought to clarify the issue by...

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Published inAnnals of the New York Academy of Sciences Vol. 1041; no. 1; pp. 530 - 533
Main Authors WILKINSON, TRACEY N., SPEED, TERRY P., TREGEAR, GEOFFREY W., BATHGATE, ROSS A.D.
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Oxford, UK Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01.05.2005
Subjects
Animals
evolution
Evolution, Molecular
Freshwater
Humans
Neuropeptides - classification
Neuropeptides - metabolism
peptide family
phylogenetic analysis
Phylogeny
relaxin
Relaxin - classification
Relaxin - metabolism
Reproduction
selection
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Summary:: The relaxin‐like peptide family consists of relaxin‐1, relaxin‐2, and relaxin‐3 and the insulin‐like peptides (INSL)‐3, INSL4, INSL5, and INSL6 (human relaxin‐2 is equivalent to relaxin‐1 in other species). Evolution of this family has been contentious. We therefore sought to clarify the issue by performing phylogenetic analysis of all relaxin‐like peptides from the genomic databases available. Surprisingly, the phylogeny, combined with previous biologic characterizations, suggest that although relaxin's original function was likely in the brain, its reproductive role was acquired just prior to the divergence of amphibians. This phylogeny also illuminates inconsistencies in relaxin evolution in invertebrates, chickens, and cows.
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ISSN:0077-8923
1749-6632
DOI:10.1196/annals.1282.079