Research
Cellular and molecular research
Peptides used as receptor ligands and signaling probes in cell-based and biochemical studies.
Peptides as receptor tools
Many research peptides are synthetic analogs of endogenous hormones or neuropeptides. Because they bind defined receptors, they are useful for studying receptor pharmacology, downstream signaling and structure-activity relationships in vitro.
GHRH-derived peptides
Sermorelin corresponds to the first 29 amino acids of growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH 1-29), the shortest fragment that retains receptor activity. Tesamorelin is a GHRH analog stabilized with an N-terminal trans-3-hexenoyl group. CJC-1295 / ipamorelin pairs a modified GHRH analog with a pentapeptide that acts at the ghrelin receptor.
Melanocortin and growth hormone fragments
PT-141 (bremelanotide) is a cyclic heptapeptide analog of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone and acts at melanocortin receptors. AOD-9604 is a modified fragment of the C-terminal region of human growth hormone.