The mouse relaxin gene: nucleotide sequence and expression

in Journal of Molecular Endocrinology
Authors:
B A Evans
Search for other papers by B A Evans in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
,
M John
Search for other papers by M John in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
,
K J Fowler
Search for other papers by K J Fowler in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
,
R J Summers
Search for other papers by R J Summers in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
,
M Cronk
Search for other papers by M Cronk in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
,
J Shine
Search for other papers by J Shine in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
, and
G W Tregear
Search for other papers by G W Tregear in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
View More View Less
Restricted access

USD  $0.01
USD  $0.01

USD  $0.01
USD  $0.01

USD  $1.00
USD  $1.00

USD  $0.01
USD  $0.01

USD  $0.01
USD  $0.01

USD  $0.01
USD  $0.01

USD  $0.01
USD  $0.01

USD  $0.01
USD  $0.01

USD  $0.01
USD  $0.01

USD  $0.01
USD  $0.01

USD  $1.00
USD  $1.00

USD  $1.00
USD  $1.00

USD  $1.00
USD  $1.00

USD  $1.00
USD  $1.00

USD  $1.00
USD  $1.00

ABSTRACT

Relaxin is a polypeptide hormone that has a variety of physiological effects both on remodelling of collagen and on uterine contractility. These are most apparent during pregnancy. The sequences of relaxin cDNAs derived from ovaries of late-pregnant random-bred Swiss mice have been established. Multiple subclones obtained from three independent polymerase chain reaction experiments were found to encode relaxins which were identical except at position 11 in the A chain (Ile or Val). All mouse relaxin cDNAs expressed in the ovary during pregnancy had an extra tyrosine inserted prior to the final A chain cysteine residue, a result confirmed by direct sequencing of relaxin peptides. Whilst this tyrosine insertion must have local effects on the folding of the A chain, structure—activity studies will clarify whether it perturbs functional interaction with the relaxin receptor. We have shown that there is a single relaxin gene in the mouse genome, and that expression during pregnancy occurs in the ovary but is not detectable in the placenta, uterus or fetus.

 

  • Collapse
  • Expand