Research Peptides
ALL ARTICLES AND PRODUCT INFORMATION PROVIDED ON THIS WEBSITE ARE FOR INFORMATIONAL AND EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY. The products offered on this website are furnished for in-vitro studies only. In-vitro studies (Latin: in glass) are performed outside of the body. These products are not medicines or drugs and have not been approved by the FDA to prevent, treat or cure any medical condition, ailment or disease. Bodily introduction of any kind into humans or animals is strictly forbidden by law.
What are Research Peptides?
In essence, research peptides refer to peptides utilized in scientific investigations. In recent times, peptides have garnered attention for their high selectivity and efficacy in therapeutic contexts, coupled with their relative safety and tolerance in subjects and patients. This recognition has sparked significant interest in peptides for pharmaceutical research and development. Given the promising prospects of peptides in medical applications, there is a growing need for extensive research, exploration, and experimentation with peptides to unlock the pharmaceuticals and therapies of the present and future. Consequently, there has been a notable surge in demand for research peptides to drive advancements in these emerging areas of research.
Research Peptides vs Medicines?
It’s crucial to understand that research peptides are exclusively intended for in-vitro study and experimentation, conducted outside the body, as the term “in-vitro” suggests, originating from Latin meaning “in glass”. While hundreds of peptide therapeutics have undergone evaluation in clinical trials, scientists worldwide are utilizing research peptides in laboratory settings to venture beyond traditional peptide design, aiming to uncover peptide variants with potential pharmaceutical applications in the future. Presently, there are over 60 FDA-approved peptide-based medications on the market, such as LupronTM for prostate cancer and VictozaTM for type 2 diabetes, boasting significant sales figures. However, it’s essential to distinguish between FDA-approved drugs and research peptides: the former are prescribed medications for specific conditions, whereas the latter are exclusively intended for laboratory research and exploration. Research peptides hold promise for breakthroughs and future pharmaceuticals but must undergo rigorous study, clinical trials, and FDA approval processes before becoming medicines.
Research Peptides as Future Therapeutics
Over 7,000 naturally occurring peptides have been identified, many of which serve crucial roles in the human body as hormones, growth factors, neurotransmitters, ion channel ligands, and anti-infectives. These peptides act as effective and selective signaling molecules by binding to specific cell surface receptors, thereby initiating intracellular effects. Clinical trials have demonstrated the exceptional safety, tolerability, high selectivity, potency, and predictable metabolism of peptides in study subjects, highlighting their potential for therapeutic development.
Metabolic diseases, such as type 2 diabetes, and oncology are the primary areas of focus driving research and utilization of peptide-based pharmaceuticals. The rise in obesity and type 2 diabetes worldwide has spurred the development of peptide therapeutics for these conditions. Similarly, the increasing cancer mortality rates and the need for alternatives to chemotherapy have prompted research into peptide-based oncological treatments. Additionally, peptide research has extended to areas like infectious diseases, inflammation, and rare diseases. Peptides have also shown promise in diagnostics and vaccination. Importantly, the exploration of peptides’ therapeutic potential relies heavily on research peptides as the foundation for experimentation and development in the laboratory.
The Polarity of the Peptide Bond
In a peptide bond, free rotation around a single bond between a carbonyl carbon and amide nitrogen is typically expected. However, the presence of a lone pair of electrons on the nitrogen near a carbon-oxygen bond introduces a resonance effect. This results in a reasonable resonance structure where a double bond forms between the carbon and nitrogen. Consequently, the oxygen carries a negative charge, while the nitrogen bears a positive charge. This resonance structure restricts rotation around the peptide bond. Moreover, the actual structure is a weighted hybrid of these resonance structures, with the peptide bond exhibiting approximately 40% double-bond character, rendering it rigid.
The charges associated with this resonance result in a permanent dipole within the peptide bond. Specifically, the oxygen carries a -0.28 charge, while the nitrogen holds a +0.28 charge, contributing to the overall polarity of the peptide bond.