What are peptides?
Peptides are short chains of amino acid monomers linked by peptide bonds. They are essentially small proteins, typically containing less than 50 amino acids. Some key things to know about peptides:
- Peptides play many critical roles in the human body, including signaling between cells, hormone activity, and immune function. Examples include insulin, oxytocin, and antibodies.
- Unlike larger proteins, peptides can penetrate cell membranes easily and interact with intracellular targets. This makes them very attractive candidates for drug development and therapeutics.
- Synthetic peptides are used for many research purposes, as they are relatively easy to generate in the lab. They aid studies of biochemical interactions and cellular processes important to health.
There are a few key subgroups of peptides:
- Oligopeptides contain just 2-10 amino acids. For example, glutathione, a tripeptide that is critical for reducing oxidative stress in the body.
- Polypeptides contain approximately 11-50 amino acids. For example, oxytocin, a neuropeptide hormone composed of 9 amino acids.
- Proteins contain >50 amino acids. At this length peptides begin demonstrating complex 3D structure.
To summarize:
Peptides are short chains of amino acids that play critical roles in the body. As research continues to uncover their therapeutic potential, peptide-based medicines and anti-aging treatments represent an exciting frontier in the biopharma and wellness fields. Customized peptide therapy from clinics like Hormone Harmony Clinic allows people to tap into these powerful molecules to enhance health and actively slow aging.