Peptide glossary · Basics
Oligopeptide and polypeptide
Oligopeptides consist of a few amino acids, usually up to about ten. Polypeptides are longer chains. The terms have no strict boundary and are used differently across the literature.
In the lab
Most bioregulators in the range are oligopeptides of two to four amino acids. Longer incretin analogues with around 30 to 40 residues already count as polypeptides.
More terms: Basics
- Amino acidThe building block of peptides and proteins.
- PeptideA chain of amino acids joined by peptide bonds.
- Peptide bondThe amide bond between the carboxyl group of one amino acid and the amino group of the next.
- Peptide hormoneA hormone made of an amino acid chain, such as GLP-1, GHRH or oxytocin.
- ProteinA long amino acid chain, usually more than 50 residues, that folds into a defined three-dimensional structure.
- Research peptideA peptide made and sold for laboratory research, for example in vitro experiments.
For laboratory research use only. Not for use in humans or animals.