Research Peptide Glossary

Certificate of Analysis (COA)

A lab-issued report documenting the testing performed on a specific batch of a compound.

Endotoxin

Bacterial contaminants screened for on a per-lot basis and reported against a limit.

HPLC

A separation technique used to measure the purity of a peptide by peak area.

Lot Number

A unique identifier tying a specific production batch to its Certificate of Analysis.

Mass Spectrometry

A technique that confirms a compound’s identity by measuring its molecular mass.

Purity

The percentage of a sample that is the intended compound, usually measured by HPLC.

Bacteriostatic Water

Sterile water with a preservative used to reconstitute lyophilized peptides.

Lyophilized

A freeze-dried powder form that keeps peptides stable for storage and shipping.

Reconstitution

Dissolving a lyophilized powder into a liquid, usually bacteriostatic water.

Amino Acid

The building-block molecules that link together to form peptides and proteins.

Molecular Weight

The mass of one molecule, used to confirm identity and calculate concentrations.

Peptide

A short chain of amino acids linked by peptide bonds.

Agonist

A molecule that binds a receptor and activates it, mimicking the natural signal.

Angiogenesis

The formation of new blood vessels; a theme in tissue-repair research.

GHRH

A signal that prompts the pituitary to release growth hormone; a research target.

GIP

A second incretin receptor, often combined with GLP-1 in dual-agonist research.

GLP-1

An incretin hormone receptor that is a major target in metabolic research.

Glucagon

A hormone receptor added in some triple-agonist metabolic research compounds.

GnRH

A hypothalamic releasing hormone that drives pituitary gonadotropin secretion.

Half-Life

The time for the amount of a compound in a system to fall by half.

IGF-1 Receptor (IGF-1R)

A receptor tyrosine kinase that mediates IGF-1 growth, proliferation, and anabolic signaling.

KISS1R (GPR54)

The G-protein-coupled receptor for kisspeptin, a gatekeeper of reproductive-axis signaling.

Melanocortin System (α-MSH)

A family of signaling peptides — including α-MSH — acting at the melanocortin receptors MC1R–MC5R.

Melanocortin-1 Receptor (MC1R)

The melanocortin receptor on melanocytes central to melanin (pigment) synthesis in research models.

Melanocortin-4 Receptor (MC4R)

A centrally expressed melanocortin receptor studied in energy-balance and appetite research.

NNMT

A metabolic enzyme studied as a target in adipose-tissue and NAD⁺-pathway research.

Secretagogue

A substance that prompts a gland or cell to secrete a hormone or other molecule.

SNARE Complex

The protein complex — including SNAP-25 — that drives vesicle fusion and neurotransmitter release.

Research Use Only (RUO)

A designation meaning a product is for in-vitro laboratory research, not human or animal use.