Relaxin, a hormone of pregnancy, is involved in uterine growth and cervical softening and is expressed in placental trophoblast cells in the hamster. Relaxin has been isolated from placentae by this laboratory, and temporal expression in this tissue has been evaluated. Studies are ongoing to examine regulation of transcription, post-translational processing and secretion of this hormone by placental trophoblast cells. The diverse nucleotide and amino acid structure and tissue expression pattern of relaxin among mammalian species presents a unique opportunity to evaluate factors that regulate relaxin expression. Recent studies in the laboratory indicated that relaxin enters the fetal circulation during late pregnancy.
Studies are in progress to identify possible relaxin binding sites in the developing fetus.
Renegar, R.H., C.R. Owens, and J.M. Chalovich. 1993. Purification and partial characterization of relaxin and relaxin precursors from the hamster placenta. Jones, M.A. amd R.H. Renegar. Temporal and regional expression of placental lactogen-II mRNA and protein in the hamster placenta. McCaslin, R.B. and R.H. Renegar.