The relaxin receptor RXFP1 signals through a mechanism of autoinhibition

The relaxin family peptide receptor 1 (RXFP1) is the receptor for relaxin-2, an important regulator of reproductive and cardiovascular physiology. RXFP1 is a multi-domain G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) with an ectodomain consisting of an LDLa module and leucine-rich repeats. The mechanism of RXFP1 signal transduction is clearly distinct from that of other GPCRs, but remains very poorly understood. Here, we present the cryo-electron microscopy structure of active-state human RXFP1, bound to a single-chain version of the endogenous agonist relaxin-2 and to the heterotrimeric G s protein. Evolutionary coupling analysis and structure-guided functional experiments reveal that RXFP1 signals through a mechanism of autoinhibition, wherein the receptor’s extracellular loop 2 occupies the orthosteric site in the active state but is inhibited by the ectodomain in the absence of relaxin-2. Our results explain how an unusual GPCR family functions, providing a path to rational drug development targeting the relaxin receptors.