Relaxin family peptide hormones
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Project Leader
Associate Professor Tony Hughes+61 3 8344 8604
Project Details
Insulin-like peptide 5 (INSL5) is a peptide hormone from the relaxin superfamily, which includes insulin, insulin-like growth factors, relaxins and insulin-like peptides. The peptides in this superfamily all share some common features. They are characterised by two peptide chains (A-chain and B-chain) connected by two disulfide bonds, and a third intramolecular disulfide bond on the A-chain. They exert their physiological effects by binding to G-protein coupled receptors (GPCR’s). While the physiological role of INSL5 is not currently clear, it has been indicated to have a role in the stimulation of appetite and colon motility. These peptides can be extremely challenging to produce for study, and so one of our current projects is the development of new synthetic protocols to produce INSL5.