Compound profile

Semaglutide

Semaglutide is a synthetic, acylated analog of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) that functions as a selective agonist at the GLP-1 receptor. It is used in in-vitro research as a reference ligand for receptor-binding, signaling, and characterization assays.

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What it is

Semaglutide is a 31-residue acylated peptide derived from the human GLP-1(7-37) backbone. Relative to native GLP-1 it carries two backbone substitutions—2-aminoisobutyric acid (Aib) in place of alanine at GLP-1 position 8, and arginine in place of lysine at position 34—together with a C18 fatty-diacid (octadecanedioic acid) side chain attached to the lysine at GLP-1 position 26 through a γGlu-2×OEG (mini-PEG) spacer. These modifications confer resistance to dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) cleavage and promote reversible albumin binding; both properties are studied in vitro to characterize peptide proteolytic stability and protein-interaction behavior. It is supplied as a lyophilized solid for laboratory use and is one of several GLP-1 receptor agonist peptide analogs (alongside molecules such as liraglutide) used as comparator ligands in receptor pharmacology.

Mechanism (in-vitro research context)

In receptor-pharmacology research, semaglutide acts as a high-affinity, selective agonist of the GLP-1 receptor (GLP-1R), a class B (secretin-family) G protein-coupled receptor. In cell-based in-vitro systems expressing recombinant GLP-1R, agonist binding couples to Gαs and stimulates adenylate cyclase, producing measurable increases in intracellular cyclic AMP (cAMP); downstream readouts include PKA activation and β-arrestin recruitment. These assays are used to determine binding affinity (Kd/Ki), potency (EC50), and signaling bias relative to native GLP-1 and other analogs. The Aib8 substitution is studied for its role in conferring resistance to DPP-4-mediated N-terminal proteolysis, while the fatty-diacid moiety is examined in the context of in-vitro serum-albumin binding kinetics.

Research areas

GLP-1 receptor (GLP-1R) binding-affinity and competition assays in recombinant cell lines
cAMP accumulation and Gαs-coupled signaling characterization
β-arrestin recruitment and receptor internalization studies
Comparative GLP-1 receptor agonist structure-activity relationship (SAR) profiling
In-vitro proteolytic stability assays (DPP-4 resistance) and serum-albumin binding kinetics
Analytical method development for peptide identity and purity (RP-HPLC / LC-MS)

Chemistry

Molecular weight: 4113.58 g/mol
CAS: 910463-68-2
Formula: C187H291N45O59
Sequence: H-Aib-EGTFTSDVSSYLEGQAAKEFIAWLVRGRG (GLP-1(7-37) backbone with Aib at GLP-1 position 8 and Arg at position 34; Lys at GLP-1 position 26 acylated with an octadecanedioic acid (C18 fatty-diacid) chain via a γGlu-2×OEG linker)

Laboratory handling

Typically supplied as a lyophilized powder. For long-term laboratory storage the lyophilate is generally held desiccated at -20 C, protected from light and moisture. Reconstituted stock solutions are commonly aliquoted to minimize freeze-thaw cycles and stored frozen; working solutions are kept cold and used promptly to limit aggregation and hydrolytic or oxidative degradation. As an acylated peptide, semaglutide may show surface adsorption and concentration-dependent self-association, so analytical handling (e.g., low-bind labware, appropriate buffer selection) is considered during assay design. Identity and stability are monitored over time by RP-HPLC and mass spectrometry. This stability framing pertains to analytical/laboratory handling only.

FAQ

What is the amino acid sequence of semaglutide?

Semaglutide is built on the human GLP-1(7-37) backbone (H-Aib-EGTFTSDVSSYLEGQAAKEFIAWLVRGRG), incorporating 2-aminoisobutyric acid (Aib) in place of alanine at GLP-1 position 8 and arginine in place of lysine at position 34. The lysine at GLP-1 position 26 is acylated with a C18 fatty-diacid chain attached through a γGlu-2×OEG linker.

What are the molecular weight and molecular formula?

The reported average molecular weight is approximately 4113.58 g/mol, and the molecular formula is C187H291N45O59. Its CAS Registry Number is 910463-68-2.

How is the identity and purity of the peptide verified?

Identity is typically confirmed by mass spectrometry (ESI-MS or MALDI-TOF) against the theoretical monoisotopic/average mass, and purity is assessed by reversed-phase HPLC (commonly reported as area-percent at a defined wavelength). Amino acid analysis and sequencing can provide additional confirmation.

What receptor does semaglutide target in in-vitro assays?

It is a selective agonist of the GLP-1 receptor (GLP-1R), a class B G protein-coupled receptor. In recombinant cell systems, agonism is read out through Gαs-coupled cAMP accumulation and related signaling endpoints.

How should it be stored in the laboratory?

The lyophilized peptide is generally stored desiccated at -20 C, protected from light and moisture. Reconstituted solutions are usually aliquoted, kept frozen for longer-term storage, and freeze-thaw cycles minimized to preserve analytical stability.

References

Research-use only

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