Many active substances in the human body are present in the form of peptides. Related study found that more than 70% of the net weight in human body is made up of proteins. Therefore, without peptide, there is no so-called bio-activity, as well as “life”.
Generally, peptide involves in a wide range of areas of human body, such as hormones, nerves, cell growth and reproduction; its importance lies in regulating the physiological functions in vivo and cell activation, enabling to improve in vivo related enzymes and then promote permeability of middle membrane. In fact, peptide can ultimately produce a particular physiological effect by controlling the transcription of DNA or specific protein synthesis. Many peptides are involved in a variety of cell functions in the human body because they can synthesize cells and regulate the functional activity of cells. But, except for DOTA-cyclo(RGDfK) Acetate and Aviptadil Acetate, how many kinds of peptides are there?
Cytokine Mimetic Peptide
Using known cytokine receptors from peptide library to screen cytokine mimetic peptide has become a debated research in recent years. In terms of some countries, they have screened a spectrum of analog peptides, such as human erythropoietin, human thrombopoietin, human growth hormone, human nerve growth factor and interleukin-1, etc. Amino acid sequences of these mimetic peptides and their corresponding cytokine could be different, but they are possessed with cytokine activity, as well as the advantage of small molecular weight. These cytokines mimetic peptides are in preclinical or clinical studies now.
When insects are stimulated by external environment, they can produce a large number of cationic peptides with antimicrobial activity. And nearly hundreds of such antimicrobial peptides have been screened yet; the in vivo experiment has confirmed the discovery that a plurality of antimicrobial peptides not only own a strong bactericidal ability but also can kill the tumor cells as well. For example, the antimicrobial peptide D screening from silkworm in vivo has demonstrated great prospects in improving genetic engineering techniques.
Peptide for Cardiovascular Disease
Many plants medicines always show importance in blood pressure, blood fat, thrombolytic effects, and so on. They cannot only be used as drugs but also the dietary supplements. However, due to the uncertainty of its ingredients functions, their application has been limited. It has been found many active ingredients are small peptides, such as the active polypeptide isolating from soybean processing, which can be directly absorbed by the small intestine, enabling to prevent blood clots, hypertension and high cholesterol, but also delay the aging and improve body strength tumor.
Other Pharmaceutical Small Peptide
Small peptide drugs have gained considerable progress in many fields. For instance, scientists have found that a synthetic peptide (TP508) can promote wound regeneration of blood vessels, accelerating the skin depth of the wound healing. Researchers also found a small peptide (RTR) can be used to inhibit the inflammatory response. In fact, the screened two synthetic peptides can be utilized for the inhibition of osteoclast’s resorption in bones.
To be specific, peptides have been used for various applications including medication, food, disease, etc. In addition to these peptides discussed above, there are also some other kinds, such as diagnostic peptides, which can be significant in the diagnostic reagent, as an antigen to detect viruses, cells, mycoplasma, spirochetes and other microorganisms. Success requires continuous discovery, so does the life science research!