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10 sources retrieved · Most recent: April 2026 · Index updated 15 days ago
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RXFP4
relaxin family peptide/INSL5 receptor 4
Chromosome 1 · 1q22
NCBI Gene: 339403Ensembl: ENSG00000173080.6HGNC: HGNC:14666UniProt: Q8TDU9
29PubMed Papers
20Diseases
0Drugs
0Pathogenic Variants
FUNCTIONAL ROLE
Receptor
DATA QUALITY
✓ Experimental GO Evidence✓ Swiss-Prot Reviewed
protein bindingneuropeptide signaling pathwayplasma membranegalanin receptor activityAbnormality of the skeletal systemspinal stenosisThrombocytopeniainfectious meningitis
✦AI Summary

RXFP4 is a G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) that functions as a high-affinity receptor for insulin-like peptide 5 (INSL5) and also recognizes relaxin-3, bradykinin, and kallidin 1. The receptor couples to Gi proteins via a pertussis toxin-sensitive mechanism to inhibit cAMP accumulation 1. Structurally, RXFP4 shares conserved transmembrane domain residues with RXFP3 that enable relaxin-3 binding, while INSL5's distinct C-terminal residue composition ensures RXFP4 selectivity 2. RXFP4 is predominantly expressed in gastrointestinal enterochromaffin cells that produce serotonin, where it regulates serotonin production and release through cAMP-dependent mechanisms and TPH1 expression 3. The INSL5-RXFP4 system functions as a protective energy sensor, linking energy availability and homeostasis to immune regulation and inflammation control 4. RXFP4 is expressed throughout immune organs, particularly in splenic dendritic cells, where INSL5 signaling reduces proinflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, TNFα) and modulates immune cell development 5. RXFP4 also signals through vagal sensory neurons to the central nervous system and exhibits autocrine/paracrine functions within intestinal and immune tissues 4. Selective RXFP4 agonists have been developed as potential therapeutic agents for metabolic and immunological disorders 6.

Sources cited
1
RXFP4 is a class I GPCR that couples to Gi proteins to inhibit cAMP production; INSL5 is the cognate ligand for RXFP4
PMID: 15956688
2
Structural basis of relaxin-3 and INSL5 binding to RXFP4; ligand selectivity mechanism in transmembrane domain
PMID: 40410443
3
RXFP4 is located in enterochromaffin cells and regulates serotonin production and release through cAMP and TPH1 inhibition
PMID: 36947541
4
INSL5-RXFP4 functions as a protective energy sensor; regulates immune response, HPA axis, and vagal signaling
PMID: 35521762
5
RXFP4 is expressed in immune organs including dendritic cells; INSL5 signaling reduces proinflammatory cytokines and affects immune cell development
PMID: 33519716
6
Development of selective RXFP4 agonists as potential therapeutic agents for metabolic and other indications
PMID: 33730669
Disease Associationsⓘ20
Abnormality of the skeletal systemOpen Targets
0.38Weak
spinal stenosisOpen Targets
0.11Weak
ThrombocytopeniaOpen Targets
0.06Suggestive
infectious meningitisOpen Targets
0.05Suggestive
autosomal dominant macrothrombocytopeniaOpen Targets
0.05Suggestive
macrothrombocytopenia, isolated, 2, autosomal dominantOpen Targets
0.04Suggestive
thrombocytopenia 4Open Targets
0.04Suggestive
congenital amegakaryocytic thrombocytopenia 1Open Targets
0.04Suggestive
immunoglobulin-mediated membranoproliferative glomerulonephritisOpen Targets
0.04Suggestive
nephrotic syndromeOpen Targets
0.04Suggestive
thrombocytopenia 7Open Targets
0.04Suggestive
thrombocytopenia 2Open Targets
0.04Suggestive
X-linked sideroblastic anemia 1Open Targets
0.04Suggestive
Beta-thalassemia - X-linked thrombocytopeniaOpen Targets
0.04Suggestive
beta-thalassemia-X-linked thrombocytopenia syndromeOpen Targets
0.04Suggestive
autoimmune thrombocytopenic purpuraOpen Targets
0.04Suggestive
platelet-type bleeding disorder 9Open Targets
0.04Suggestive
monosomy 7 myelodysplasia and leukemia syndrome 1Open Targets
0.04Suggestive
neutropenia, severe congenital, 10, autosomal recessiveOpen Targets
0.04Suggestive
platelet-type bleeding disorder 15Open Targets
0.04Suggestive
Pathogenic Variants
No pathogenic variants reported on ClinVar for this gene.
View on ClinVar ↗
Related Genes
NXPH3Shared pathway100%NXPH2Shared pathway100%GPR84Shared pathway100%NPVFShared pathway100%PTH2Shared pathway100%GPR149Shared pathway100%
Tissue Expression6 tissues
Bone Marrow
100%
Brain
18%
Lung
5%
Heart
0%
Ovary
0%
Liver
0%
Gene Interaction Network
Click a node to explore
RXFP4NXPH3NXPH2GPR84NPVFPTH2GPR149
PROTEIN STRUCTURE
Preparing viewer…
PDB7YK7 · 2.75 Å · EM
View on RCSB ↗
Constraintⓘ
LOEUFⓘ
1.89LoF Tolerant
pLIⓘ
0.29Tolerant
Observed/Expected LoF0.00 [0.00–1.89]
RankingsWhere RXFP4 stands among ~20K protein-coding genes
  • #12,229of 20,598
    Most Researched29
  • #17,194of 17,882
    Most Constrained (LOEUF)1.89
Genes detectedRXFP4
Sources retrieved10 papers
Response time—
📄 Sources
10▼
1
Reviewing the physiological roles of the novel hormone-receptor pair INSL5-RXFP4: a protective energy sensor?
PMID: 35521762
J Mol Endocrinol · 2022
1.00
2
Evidence that RXFP4 is located in enterochromaffin cells and can regulate production and release of serotonin.
PMID: 36947541
Biosci Rep · 2023
0.90
3
Molecular mechanism underlying non-discriminatory recognition of relaxin-3 by RXFP3 and RXFP4.
PMID: 40410443
Commun Biol · 2025
0.80
4
Immune System Effects of Insulin-Like Peptide 5 in a Mouse Model.
PMID: 33519716
Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) · 2020
0.70
5
Design, synthesis and pharmacological evaluation of tricyclic derivatives as selective RXFP4 agonists.
PMID: 33730669
Bioorg Chem · 2021
0.60