Tetrapeptide
Tetrapeptide — A peptide consisting of exactly four amino acid residues linked by peptide bonds.
What Is a Tetrapeptide?
A tetrapeptide consists of four amino acid residues joined by three peptide bonds. Several important research peptides are tetrapeptides, including Epitalon (Ala-Glu-Asp-Gly) and SS-31/Elamipretide (D-Arg-Dmt-Lys-Phe-NH2). Tetrapeptides are small enough for oral absorption potential while encoding meaningful receptor interactions.
Properties
- Size: ~400-600 Da, near the upper limit for passive membrane permeation
- Solubility: Generally highly soluble in aqueous solutions
- Synthesis: High yields (>80%) in standard SPPS
- CCK-4: The unsulfated C-terminal tetrapeptide of CCK that induces panic attacks in humans
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Tetrapeptide?
A peptide consisting of exactly four amino acid residues linked by peptide bonds.
Why is Tetrapeptide important in peptide research?
Tetrapeptide is a fundamental concept in structure as it relates to peptide science. It directly influences experimental design, compound characterization, and the reliability of research outcomes across biochemistry and molecular biology disciplines.