Peptide - Vitality Hormone Center

What is a Peptide?

Peptides are short chains of amino acids linked by peptide bonds. Typically, peptides contain less than 50 amino acids. Longer chains are referred to as proteins. Peptides play several important roles in the human body:

• Signaling molecules - Peptides act as hormones and neurotransmitters to regulate bodily functions. For example, insulin is a peptide hormone that regulates blood sugar levels.
• Immune defense - Many peptides have antimicrobial properties that defend the body against invading pathogens. These antimicrobial peptides are part of the innate immune system.
• Bioactive molecules - Bioactive peptides perform various biological activities such as blood pressure modulation, antioxidant effects, and inflammation regulation. They are derived from food proteins.

Some key features of peptides:

• Size - Peptides are made up of 2 to 50 amino acids.
• Structure - Peptides form short linear chains or cyclic ring structures. The amino acids can link together via peptide bonds to form linear peptides or via side chain bonds to form cyclic peptides.
• Function - While small size limits tertiary structure, peptides can still perform a wide array of functions including cell signaling, immune defense, and enzyme regulation.
• Synthesis - Peptides can be synthesized chemically by linking amino acids together in a chain. They can also be created through biosynthesis or digestion of larger proteins.

In terms of chemistry, peptides contain both amine and carboxyl functional groups which make them excellent biological messengers. The sequence and composition of the amino acids determine the overall function of the peptide. By modifying peptide sequences through protein engineering, researchers can design peptides with novel therapeutic properties.

Overall, peptides represent an exciting class of biologically active molecules with applications across medicine, biotechnology, and pharmacology. From cancer therapeutics to cosmeceuticals, the versatility of peptides continues to amaze researchers and drive new innovations. Their small size allows them to reach targets inside cells rapidly while their amino acid chains impart specific form and function. With greater understanding of peptide science, these molecules may one day unlock solutions for some of humanity's most intractable diseases.