Peptide glossary

AMP-activated protein kinase. A central cellular energy sensor activated when AMP:ATP rises; downstream effects include increased glucose uptake and fatty-acid oxidation. Targeted by compounds such as MOTS-c in metabolic research.

Formation of new blood vessels from existing vasculature. Investigated alongside compounds such as BPC-157 and TB-500 in tissue-repair models.

Sterile water containing 0.9% benzyl alcohol as a preservative. Commonly referenced in laboratory protocols involving lyophilised peptide materials.

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor. A neurotrophin that supports neuron survival and synaptic plasticity. Studied as a downstream target of Selank and Semax.

Body Protection Compound 157 — a 15-amino-acid fragment derived from a gastric protective protein. Researched in tendon/ligament repair, gut barrier integrity, and angiogenesis.

A unique phospholipid concentrated in the inner mitochondrial membrane and central to cristae structure. The molecular target of SS-31/elamipretide.

A GHRH analogue (also "Mod-GRF 1-29") with stability-enhancing substitutions. Often studied paired with a GHRP such as Ipamorelin for pulsatile GH release.

A lot-specific document summarising HPLC purity, mass spectrometry identity, and contaminant testing for a particular batch. Mercia Research ships a lot-matched CoA with every order.

A temperature-controlled supply chain that keeps peptides at recommended storage temperatures from shipment to receipt. Mercia Research uses validated temperature-controlled packaging for sensitive lots.

A serine protease that cleaves N-terminal dipeptides from many endogenous peptides, including GHRH and GLP-1. Stabilised analogues (Tesamorelin, CJC-1295) resist DPP-IV cleavage.

A nonapeptide first isolated from rabbit cerebral venous blood during sleep induction studies. Researched in slow-wave EEG, stress and circadian models.

Lipopolysaccharide component of Gram-negative bacterial cell walls. Endotoxin testing (LAL) is part of release testing for research peptides.

A copper-binding tripeptide (Gly-His-Lys + Cu²⁺) present in human plasma. Studied in dermal repair, collagen synthesis and follicle research.

Hypothalamic hormone that stimulates pituitary somatotrophs to release GH via the GHRH receptor. Analogues include Sermorelin, Tesamorelin and CJC-1295.

Family of synthetic ghrelin-receptor agonists including GHRP-6, GHRP-2, hexarelin and ipamorelin. Frequently studied in pulsatile GH release research.

The growth hormone secretagogue receptor 1a — the receptor activated by ghrelin and ghrelin-mimetic peptides such as Ipamorelin and the GHRPs.

The primary intracellular antioxidant tripeptide — composed of glutamate, cysteine and glycine. Reduces ROS and regenerates other antioxidants in cellular models.

Hypothalamic hormone that drives pituitary LH and FSH release. Kisspeptin-10 is a potent upstream activator of GnRH neurons.

Analytical technique used to determine peptide purity by separating components on a column under high pressure. Mercia Research targets ≥99% by HPLC.

Insulin-like growth factor 1. A downstream mediator of growth hormone signalling, produced primarily by the liver and other tissues in response to GH stimulation.

A selective ghrelin/GHS-R1a agonist pentapeptide. Among the most selective secretagogues studied — minimal cortisol or prolactin elevation observed in published rodent models.

A unit of biological activity used for certain hormones and enzymes. Research peptides such as BPC-157 are quantified by mass (mg/mcg) rather than international units.

A family of peptides encoded by the KISS1 gene that activate the GnRH neuron via KISS1R/GPR54. Kisspeptin-10 is the C-terminal 10-aa fragment used in HPG-axis research.

The C-terminal tripeptide of α-MSH (Lys-Pro-Val). Researched in anti-inflammatory and gut/skin barrier-integrity models.

Limulus amebocyte lysate test — the standard assay for bacterial endotoxin in injectable-grade preparations.

Freeze-drying — the process used to convert dissolved peptide into a stable, dry powder that can be stored long-term and reconstituted with BAC water prior to use in research.

Identity-confirmation method that measures peptide molecular mass. Used alongside HPLC to confirm both purity and correct molecular weight.

Melanocortin-4 receptor. Hypothalamic receptor central to energy balance and sexual signalling. Target of PT-141/bremelanotide.

A 16-amino-acid peptide encoded within mitochondrial 12S rRNA. Activates AMPK signalling in metabolic and exercise-physiology research.

Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide. A central cellular cofactor for redox reactions and substrate for sirtuins, PARPs and CD38.

Nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells — a transcription factor central to inflammatory gene expression, suppressed by α-MSH and KPV in published models.

Bremelanotide. A melanocortin-receptor agonist derived from Melanotan II, studied in CNS sexual-response research.

The process of dissolving a lyophilised material into a liquid peptide solution for subsequent laboratory handling.

A Russian-developed heptapeptide analogue of the immunomodulator tuftsin, studied in anxiolytic and nootropic rodent models.

A synthetic ACTH(4-10) analogue used in BDNF/NGF and ischaemic-recovery research; developed in Russia.

A family of NAD+-dependent deacetylases (SIRT1–7) involved in stress response, mitochondrial biogenesis and longevity research.

Elamipretide — a tetrapeptide that concentrates 1000-fold at the inner mitochondrial membrane and binds cardiolipin in published mitochondrial models.

A synthetic peptide fragment of thymosin beta-4. Studied for G-actin sequestration and tissue-repair pathways.

A stabilised GHRH(1-44) analogue with N-terminal hexenoyl modification, researched in visceral adiposity and IGF-1 axis models.

A GIP/GLP-1 receptor co-agonist. Studied in metabolic and incretin pathway research.

A signal protein that stimulates blood vessel formation. Upregulated by BPC-157 in published angiogenesis models.

The mg/mL concentration of a reconstituted peptide solution in a vial after addition of diluent. Used in laboratory calculations to determine the volume required for a given experimental quantity.