Biologically active peptides or bioactive peptides are short chains of amino acids with unique biological activities that make them indispensable tools in research. These peptides are derived from natural sources or designed synthetically to target specific pathways. For researchers seeking high-quality biologically active peptides for academic or translational work, having a reliable source is crucial.
List of Biologically Active Peptides
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What Are Biologically Active Peptides?
Biologically active peptides are defined by their ability to exert specific biological effects, such as hormonal regulation, immune modulation, or interaction with cellular receptors. These effects depend on the sequence, structure, and amino acid composition of the peptides, which can mimic endogenous molecules or interfere with targeted pathways.
Categories of Bioactive Peptides
Diabetes-Related Peptides
Biologically active peptides targeting diabetes are essential for understanding the mechanisms of insulin regulation, glucose homeostasis, and beta-cell function. Commonly studied peptides include:
- GLP-1 Analogues: Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) is an incretin hormone that stimulates insulin secretion in response to glucose. Synthetic GLP-1 analogues and agonists are pivotal for studying diabetes and developing treatments like liraglutide and semaglutide.
- Amylin Analogues: Amylin, co-secreted with insulin, plays a role in glycemic control by delaying gastric emptying and suppressing postprandial glucagon secretion. Synthetic peptides such as pramlintide mimic amylin and are used in diabetes research.
- Insulinotropic Peptides: Peptides like GIP (gastric inhibitory peptide) are crucial for studying insulin secretion and beta-cell preservation.
Aβ (Amyloid Beta) Peptides
Amyloid beta (Aβ) peptides are central to research on Alzheimer’s disease and other neurodegenerative disorders. These peptides are derived from amyloid precursor protein (APP) and can aggregate into plaques, a hallmark of Alzheimer’s pathology.
- Synthetic Aβ Peptides: Common variants include A?1–40 and A?1–42, which are used to study plaque formation, toxicity, and the impact of therapeutic interventions.
- Modified Aβ Peptides: Peptides with specific mutations (e.g., E22Q or A2V) are used to model familial Alzheimer’s disease or understand aggregation dynamics.
- Applications: Aβ peptides are employed in drug screening, biomarker discovery, and elucidating the mechanisms of neuronal dysfunction.
Melittin
Melittin is a 26-amino acid peptide derived from bee venom, renowned for its potent antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. It is widely studied for its applications in:- Antimicrobial Studies: Melittin disrupts microbial membranes, making it a valuable model for understanding membrane interactions and developing peptide-based antibiotics.
- Cancer Research: Melittin shows selective cytotoxicity against certain cancer cells and has been investigated for targeted cancer therapies.
- Immunomodulation: Melittin’s ability to modulate inflammatory pathways has applications in autoimmune and inflammatory disease research.
Antimicrobial Peptides (AMPs)
Antimicrobial peptides are short, cationic molecules with the ability to disrupt microbial membranes or inhibit microbial growth. Examples include:
- Defensins and Cathelicidins: These naturally occurring peptides are critical for studying host defense mechanisms.
- Synthetic AMPs: Designed for enhanced stability and specificity, these peptides are invaluable for exploring antibiotic resistance and developing novel antimicrobials.
Opioid Peptides
Derived from the endogenous opioid system, peptides like enkephalins, dynorphins, and beta-endorphins are studied for their roles in pain regulation, stress response, and addiction.
- Synthetic Analogues: These include receptor-selective peptides that help delineate the roles of mu, delta, and kappa opioid receptors.
- Therapeutic Potential: Opioid peptides are models for developing non-addictive painkillers.
Other Noteworthy Bioactive Peptides
- Angiotensin Peptides: Central to cardiovascular research, these peptides regulate blood pressure and have applications in understanding hypertension and renal function.
- Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide (CGRP): A target for migraine research and drug development.
- Cell-Penetrating Peptides (CPPs): Used as delivery vehicles for macromolecules across cellular membranes.
- Neuropeptides: Examples like substance P and neuropeptide Y are essential for studying pain, anxiety, and feeding behaviors.
Why Source Bioactive Peptides from JPT?
For academic researchers, access to high-quality bioactive peptides is essential for reproducibility and reliability. JPT Peptide Technologies offers several advantages:
- Range of Purities: rom crude to >95% (HPLC-MS)
- Customization: Peptides can be tailored to specific sequences, modifications (e.g., phosphorylation, acetylation), or isotopic labels for specialized studies.
- Bulk Availability: For larger experiments, peptides can be synthesized in bulk while maintaining quality.
- Customer Support: Our support teams in our headquarter and in the field are always available to you
- Made in Germany: All our production takes place in Berlin, Germany
- 20 Years of Experience: We are a reliable supplier producing peptides for more than 20 years
Applications in Academia and Industry
Bioactive peptides are versatile tools used across disciplines:
- Disease Modeling: From Alzheimer’s plaques to diabetic pathways, peptides help recreate disease conditions in vitro and in vivo.
- Drug Development: Screening libraries of bioactive peptides allows researchers to identify new therapeutic candidates.
- Diagnostics: Peptides serve as biomarkers or probes for imaging applications, such as radiolabeled A? peptides in Alzheimer’s diagnostics.
- Functional Studies: Understanding receptor-ligand interactions, signal transduction, and enzymatic activities often relies on bioactive peptides.