| Category | Example Compounds | Research Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Tissue Signaling Peptides | BPC-157, GHK-Cu | Connective tissue signaling, angiogenesis, matrix remodeling |
| Neuropeptides | Semax, Selank | Neurotrophic signaling, GABA modulation, synaptic plasticity |
| Metabolic Signaling Peptides | MOTS-C | Mitochondrial signaling, AMPK activation, energy metabolism |
| Melanocortin Receptor Peptides | PT-141, Melanotan II | MC receptor signaling, biased agonism, receptor selectivity |
Tissue Signaling Peptides
Tissue signaling peptides are studied for how they interact with repair processes at the molecular level. BPC-157 is one of the most-cited peptides in tissue research — it interacts with VEGF, nitric oxide, and multiple growth factor pathways involved in blood vessel formation and matrix rebuilding. GHK-Cu connects gene expression, collagen synthesis, and trace metal biology in a single compound, with gene profiling studies showing it influences over 4,000 human genes.
Neuropeptides
Neuropeptides target the brain's growth factor and neurotransmitter systems. Semax is studied for its effects on BDNF — the protein that supports neuronal survival and synaptic strengthening — in the hippocampus and cortex. Selank is investigated for its interactions with GABA-A receptors, enkephalin metabolism, and the intersection of immune signaling and inhibitory neurotransmission.
Metabolic Signaling Peptides
Metabolic peptides address how cells sense nutrients and regulate energy. MOTS-C is a mitochondrial-derived peptide — encoded in mitochondrial DNA rather than nuclear DNA — that activates AMPK, the cell's master energy sensor. This drives glucose uptake, fatty acid oxidation, and mitochondrial biogenesis. The discovery that mitochondria produce their own signaling peptides changed how researchers think about organelle communication.
Melanocortin Receptor Peptides
Melanocortin peptides activate the MC receptor family (MC1R through MC5R). PT-141 selectively targets MC3R and MC4R in the central nervous system, while Melanotan II activates multiple receptor subtypes broadly. Studying them side by side lets researchers determine which effects come from specific receptor subtypes versus general melanocortin activation — a key question in receptor pharmacology.
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All information presented in this article references published research literature and is intended for educational purposes only. Research peptides are sold strictly for laboratory research use and are not approved for human consumption or medical treatment.