Peptide glossary · Basics
Peptide hormone
A hormone made of an amino acid chain, such as GLP-1, GHRH or oxytocin. Many research peptides are synthetic analogues of these hormones with a modified sequence.
In the lab
Synthetic analogues deliberately differ from the natural sequence, for example by swapping amino acids or adding a side chain. The product page states what an analogue is derived from.
More terms: Basics
- Amino acidThe building block of peptides and proteins.
- Oligopeptide and polypeptideOligopeptides consist of a few amino acids, usually up to about ten.
- PeptideA chain of amino acids joined by peptide bonds.
- Peptide bondThe amide bond between the carboxyl group of one amino acid and the amino group of the next.
- ProteinA long amino acid chain, usually more than 50 residues, that folds into a defined three-dimensional structure.
- Research peptideA peptide made and sold for laboratory research, for example in vitro experiments.
For laboratory research use only. Not for use in humans or animals.