A
ACTH Receptors & mechanisms
Adrenocorticotropic hormone, a 39-amino-acid hormone. Short fragments of it — notably ACTH(4-10) — are the structural basis of synthetic neuropeptides such as Semax, studied in research.
Aliquot Lab & analysis
A measured sub-portion divided off from a larger solution. Aliquoting a reconstituted peptide into single-use portions before freezing avoids repeated freeze-thaw cycles and helps preserve integrity.
Amino acid Chemistry & terms
The building-block molecules that link together to form peptides and proteins. The order of amino acids defines a peptide's sequence and its properties.
B
Bacteriostatic water Lab & analysis
Sterile water containing about 0.9% benzyl alcohol, which inhibits bacterial growth. It is the most commonly cited reconstitution solvent for multi-use research vials. Use the reconstitution calculator to plan volumes.
Bioregulator Chemistry & terms
A class of short peptides (often two to four amino acids) studied in research for tissue-specific signalling. Examples in the catalogue include Cortagen, Cardiogen and Bronchogen.
Bremelanotide Compounds
The full name of PT-141, a synthetic cyclic heptapeptide and ligand of the melanocortin receptor family, studied in research.
C
CAS number Lab & analysis
A unique Chemical Abstracts Service registry number that identifies a specific chemical substance. It is used alongside molecular weight and sequence to confirm identity.
Certificate of Analysis (COA) Lab & analysis
A document reporting a batch's tested purity (typically by HPLC) and confirmed identity (typically by mass spectrometry). A COA is available on request for research-grade material.
Copper peptide Chemistry & terms
A peptide complexed with copper(II) ions. The best known is GHK-Cu, studied in copper-peptide and skin research.
D
DAC (Drug Affinity Complex) Chemistry & terms
A chemical modification that binds serum albumin to extend a peptide's half-life. CJC-1295 is commonly supplied without DAC (Modified GRF 1-29).
Deamidation Lab & analysis
A degradation reaction that converts asparagine or glutamine residues over time, sensitive to pH and temperature. It is one of the factors affecting peptide stability in solution.
F
Freeze-thaw cycle Lab & analysis
One round of freezing and then thawing a solution. Repeated freeze-thaw cycles are a leading cause of peptide degradation, so they are minimised in research handling.
G
GHK-Cu Compounds
Copper tripeptide-1: the tripeptide glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine (Gly-His-Lys) complexed with copper(II). See the GHK-Cu research guide.
Ghrelin Receptors & mechanisms
An endogenous peptide that binds the growth-hormone-secretagogue (GHS) receptor. Synthetic GHS-receptor ligands such as ipamorelin are studied as ghrelin-receptor agonists.
GHRH Receptors & mechanisms
Growth hormone-releasing hormone, a 44-amino-acid hormone. Analogues such as sermorelin (GHRH 1-29) and CJC-1295 are based on its N-terminal fragment.
GHRH analogue Receptors & mechanisms
A synthetic peptide based on GHRH that acts on the GHRH receptor — for example sermorelin, CJC-1295 and tesamorelin.
GHRP Receptors & mechanisms
Growth-hormone-releasing peptide: a family of synthetic GHS-receptor ligands (such as GHRP-2 and GHRP-6) related in mechanism class to ipamorelin.
GHS receptor Receptors & mechanisms
The growth-hormone-secretagogue receptor — the receptor through which ghrelin and ligands like ipamorelin interact with the growth-hormone axis. It is distinct from the GHRH receptor.
H
HPLC Lab & analysis
High-performance liquid chromatography: the standard analytical method for measuring peptide purity, e.g. greater than 99%.
I
In vitro Lab & analysis
Latin for “in glass.” Research conducted outside a living organism, such as in cell cultures or biochemical assays.
Ipamorelin Compounds
A synthetic pentapeptide described as a selective ligand of the ghrelin / GHS receptor. See the ipamorelin research guide or the ipamorelin vs sermorelin comparison.
L
Lyophilisation Lab & analysis
Freeze-drying: removing water from a frozen peptide under vacuum to leave a stable, dry powder. Peptides supplied in this form are described as “lyophilised.”
M
Mass spectrometry (MS) Lab & analysis
An analytical technique that confirms a peptide's identity by measuring its molecular mass against the expected value.
Melanocortin receptor Receptors & mechanisms
A family of receptors (MC1R–MC5R). PT-141 (Bremelanotide) is studied as a ligand of this family.
Modified GRF (1-29) Compounds
Another name for CJC-1295 without DAC: a stabilised analogue of the GHRH (1-29) fragment.
Molecular weight Chemistry & terms
The mass of one molecule of a peptide, given in g/mol. It is used together with the sequence and CAS number to confirm identity.
N
P
Pentapeptide Chemistry & terms
A peptide made of five amino acids, such as ipamorelin. Related terms: heptapeptide (seven), pentadecapeptide (fifteen).
Peptide Chemistry & terms
A short chain of amino acids linked by peptide bonds. Peptides are shorter than proteins and are defined by their amino-acid sequence.
Preclinical Lab & analysis
Research conducted in laboratory and animal models, before any human study.
Purity Lab & analysis
The proportion of a sample that is the intended peptide, typically measured by HPLC. Research-grade material is usually supplied at greater than 99% purity.
R
Reconstitution Lab & analysis
Dissolving a lyophilised peptide powder in a solvent (often bacteriostatic water) to produce a solution for research. See the reconstitution calculator.
Research Use Only (RUO) Lab & analysis
A designation meaning a product is supplied solely for laboratory research and is not for human or animal consumption.
S
Secretagogue Receptors & mechanisms
A substance that promotes secretion. Growth-hormone secretagogues are studied for their interaction with the growth-hormone axis.
Selank Compounds
A synthetic heptapeptide based on the peptide tuftsin. See the Selank research guide.
Semax Compounds
A synthetic heptapeptide based on the ACTH(4-10) fragment. See the Semax research guide.
Sequence Chemistry & terms
The ordered list of amino acids in a peptide — for example ipamorelin's sequence is Aib-His-D-2-Nal-D-Phe-Lys-NH2.
Sermorelin Compounds
A synthetic analogue corresponding to the first 29 amino acids of GHRH (GHRH 1-29). See the sermorelin research guide.
T
TB-500 Compounds
A synthetic form of Thymosin Beta-4, studied in tissue-repair research. See the TB-500 research guide.
Tesamorelin Compounds
A synthetic GHRH (1-44) analogue (research code TH9507). See the tesamorelin research guide.
Thymosin Beta-4 Compounds
A naturally occurring 43-amino-acid actin-binding peptide; it is the basis of the synthetic research peptide TB-500.
Tuftsin Compounds
A naturally occurring tetrapeptide that is the structural basis of the synthetic neuropeptide Selank.
Want depth on a specific compound? Browse our research blog, the peptide guides, or the full catalogue. To prepare solutions, use the reconstitution calculator or the concentration converter.
Disclaimer: All products supplied by PurePeptides are strictly for laboratory research use only. They are not for human or animal consumption and are not medical products. These definitions are informational and are not medical or clinical advice.