GLP-3 10 mg

What is GLP-3?

GLP-3 is the catalogue name for a synthetic, lipidated peptide that is listed in the scientific literature as a triple agonist: it addresses the GIP receptor, the GLP-1 receptor and the glucagon receptor. Other names in use are GIP/GLP-1/glucagon triagonist or triple agonist of the incretin and glucagon family. There is no endogenous hormone called GLP-3; the name is a trade designation, not official nomenclature. The molecule can be identified unambiguously by its CAS number.

Structure and key data

The backbone of the chain is derived from glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) and is substituted with other amino acids at several positions. In addition, a fatty diacid with 20 carbon atoms is attached to the peptide. This lipidation distinguishes GLP-3 from unmodified peptide chains and shapes its physicochemical properties.

• CAS number: 2381089-83-2
• Molecular formula: C221H342N46O68
• Molar mass: approx. 4731 g/mol (free peptide, without counter-ions)
• Composition: single peptide, not a blend
• Format: 10 mg, lyophilised in a glass vial

Place among the incretin analogues

Peptides of this substance class can be grouped by how many receptors they address: GLP-1 mono-agonists target the GLP-1 receptor alone, dual agonists two receptors, such as the GIP and GLP-1 receptors. GLP-3 extends this profile to include the glucagon receptor and so combines three targets in a single chain. In the GLP-3 + GHK-Cu set, the peptide is available together with a separate vial of the copper peptide GHK-Cu; the two molecules belong to different substance classes and share no structural features. A thematic neighbour is MOTS-c, a mitochondrially encoded peptide from metabolic and mitochondrial research that is structurally unrelated to GLP-3.

Research context

GLP-3 is studied mainly in receptor pharmacology and in preclinical metabolic models. What is of interest is that a single molecule addresses three receptors of the incretin and glucagon family; research questions concern, for example, how activity is distributed across the three target receptors. This description places the reagent in its scientific context and is not a statement about effects. Background on naming, receptor profile and storage is given in the guide to GLP-3.

Analytics at GPeptides

GLP-3 is regularly tested externally by HPLC and mass spectrometry. In the reversed-phase HPLC customary for peptides, the fatty-acid side chain contributes to the hydrophobicity of the molecule and helps determine the retention time; purity is derived from the area share of the main peak. Mass spectrometry compares the measured mass with the average of around 4731 Da calculated from the molecular formula. With electrospray ionisation, a peptide of this size appears as a series of multiply charged ions; for the quadruply protonated molecule the calculated value is m/z ≈ 1184. The available certificates of analysis (COA) can be found in the lab area; without a published certificate, the product is marked there as “pending”. How chromatogram and mass spectrum work together is explained in the guide HPLC and mass spectrometry.