Abstract
The peptide hormone relaxin (RLX), in addition to its effects on reproduction, has been reported to influence gastrointestinal motility. Interestingly, the digestive tract has been shown to express RLX receptors and the hormone appears to exert site-specific effects acting at the neural or at the smooth muscle level, mainly by a nitric oxide (NO)-mediated mechanism. NO, released by the enteric nerves and/or smooth muscle cells, is one of the main mediators of gastrointestinal relaxation. In fact, in murine in vitro preparations, RLX depresses organ motility acting at the neural level in the stomach and at the muscular level in the small intestine; conversely, in the colon, this hormone paradoxically increases contractility operating at both neural and muscle levels. These effects are ascribable to the ability of RLX to selectively regulate the expression of the different nitric oxide synthase (NOS) isoforms in the different gastrointestinal tracts. Furthermore, recent electrophysiological experiments have shown that RLX can directly affect the biophysical properties of ileal and colonic smooth muscle cells.
This mini-review is intended to offer an update on the site-related actions of RLX on gastrointestinal tract motility in relation with its site-specific effects on NOS isoforms expression. Based on these properties, RLX might be considered a potential therapeutic approach to gastrointestinal motor dysfunctions related to an altered NO production.
Keywords: Relaxin, nitric oxide, gastrointestinal tract, smooth muscle, nitric oxide synthase, gut motility.
Current Protein & Peptide Science
Title:Site-related Effects of Relaxin in the Gastrointestinal Tract Through Nitric Oxide Signalling: An Updated Report
Volume: 18 Issue: 12
Author(s): Rachele Garella, Roberta Squecco and Maria Caterina Baccari*
Affiliation:
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Section of Physiology, University of Florence, Viale G.B. Morgagni 63, 50134 Florence,Italy
Keywords: Relaxin, nitric oxide, gastrointestinal tract, smooth muscle, nitric oxide synthase, gut motility.
Abstract: The peptide hormone relaxin (RLX), in addition to its effects on reproduction, has been reported to influence gastrointestinal motility. Interestingly, the digestive tract has been shown to express RLX receptors and the hormone appears to exert site-specific effects acting at the neural or at the smooth muscle level, mainly by a nitric oxide (NO)-mediated mechanism. NO, released by the enteric nerves and/or smooth muscle cells, is one of the main mediators of gastrointestinal relaxation. In fact, in murine in vitro preparations, RLX depresses organ motility acting at the neural level in the stomach and at the muscular level in the small intestine; conversely, in the colon, this hormone paradoxically increases contractility operating at both neural and muscle levels. These effects are ascribable to the ability of RLX to selectively regulate the expression of the different nitric oxide synthase (NOS) isoforms in the different gastrointestinal tracts. Furthermore, recent electrophysiological experiments have shown that RLX can directly affect the biophysical properties of ileal and colonic smooth muscle cells.
This mini-review is intended to offer an update on the site-related actions of RLX on gastrointestinal tract motility in relation with its site-specific effects on NOS isoforms expression. Based on these properties, RLX might be considered a potential therapeutic approach to gastrointestinal motor dysfunctions related to an altered NO production.
Export Options
About this article
Cite this article as:
Garella Rachele , Squecco Roberta and Baccari Caterina Maria*, Site-related Effects of Relaxin in the Gastrointestinal Tract Through Nitric Oxide Signalling: An Updated Report, Current Protein & Peptide Science 2017; 18 (12) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1389203718666170612104719
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1389203718666170612104719 |
Print ISSN 1389-2037 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 1875-5550 |
Call for Papers in Thematic Issues
Advancements in Proteomic and Peptidomic Approaches in Cancer Immunotherapy: Unveiling the Immune Microenvironment
The scope of this thematic issue centers on the integration of proteomic and peptidomic technologies into the field of cancer immunotherapy, with a particular emphasis on exploring the tumor immune microenvironment. This issue aims to gather contributions that illustrate the application of these advanced methodologies in unveiling the complex interplay ...read more
Artificial Intelligence for Protein Research
Protein research, essential for understanding biological processes and creating therapeutics, faces challenges due to the intricate nature of protein structures and functions. Traditional methods are limited in exploring the vast protein sequence space efficiently. Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) offer promising solutions by improving predictions and speeding up ...read more
Nutrition and Metabolism in Musculoskeletal Diseases
The musculoskeletal system consists mainly of cartilage, bone, muscles, tendons, connective tissue and ligaments. Balanced metabolism is of vital importance for the homeostasis of the musculoskeletal system. A series of musculoskeletal diseases (for example, sarcopenia, osteoporosis) are resulted from the dysregulated metabolism of the musculoskeletal system. Furthermore, metabolic diseases (such ...read more
Protein Folding, Aggregation and Liquid-Liquid Phase Separation
Protein folding, misfolding and aggregation remain one of the main problems of interdisciplinary science not only because many questions are still open, but also because they are important from the point of view of practical application. Protein aggregation and formation of fibrillar structures, for example, is a hallmark of a ...read more
Related Journals
- Author Guidelines
- Graphical Abstracts
- Fabricating and Stating False Information
- Research Misconduct
- Post Publication Discussions and Corrections
- Publishing Ethics and Rectitude
- Increase Visibility of Your Article
- Archiving Policies
- Peer Review Workflow
- Order Your Article Before Print
- Promote Your Article
- Manuscript Transfer Facility
- Editorial Policies
- Allegations from Whistleblowers
Related Articles
-
Consequences of Iron Accumulation in Microglia and its Implications in Neuropathological Conditions
CNS & Neurological Disorders - Drug Targets Host Stress and Virulence Expression in Intestinal Pathogens: Development of Therapeutic Strategies Using Mice and C. elegans
Current Pharmaceutical Design The Janus Face of Adenosine: Antiarrhythmic and Proarrhythmic Actions
Current Pharmaceutical Design Editorial: News in Cardiovascular Surgery Treatment: Is there Anything to do Before and After it?
Current Vascular Pharmacology Neurotrophic and Neuroprotective Effects of Muscle Contraction
Current Pharmaceutical Design Mitochondrial Serine Protease HtrA2/Omi as a Potential Therapeutic Target
Current Drug Targets Therapeutical Relevance of MAP-Kinase Inhibitors in Renal Diseases: Current Knowledge and Future Clinical Perspectives
Current Medicinal Chemistry A1 Adenosine Receptor Agonists: Medicinal Chemistry and Therapeutic Potential
Current Pharmaceutical Design Fitness or Fatness: The Debate Continues for AMP-Activated Protein Kinase in Heart Function
Current Cardiology Reviews The Role of Mitochondria in Piperine Mediated Cardioprotection in Isoproterenol Induced Myocardial Ischemia
Current Pharmaceutical Design The Role of Heme Oxygenase-1 in T Cell-Mediated Immunity: The All Encompassing Enzyme
Current Pharmaceutical Design Patent Annotations
Recent Patents on Anti-Cancer Drug Discovery MicroRNA-16-5p Aggravates Myocardial Infarction Injury by Targeting the Expression of Insulin Receptor Substrates 1 and Mediating Myocardial Apoptosis and Angiogenesis
Current Neurovascular Research Erythropoietin in Heart Failure and Other Cardiovascular Diseases: Hematopoietic and Pleiotropic Effects
Current Drug Targets - Cardiovascular & Hematological Disorders Epigenetic Modifications of the Nuclear Factor Kappa B Signalling Pathway and its Impact on Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Current Pharmaceutical Design Cardio-vascular Activity of Catestatin: Interlocking the Puzzle Pieces
Current Medicinal Chemistry Oxidative Stress in the Early Stage of Psychosis
Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry Effect of Flavonoids on Human Health: Old Subjects but New Challenges
Recent Patents on Biotechnology Targeting Water in the Brain: Role of Aquaporin-4 in Ischemic Brain Edema
Current Drug Targets Human Urotensin II and Metabolic Syndrome
Vascular Disease Prevention (Discontinued)