The fundamental biological process within cells where amino acids are sequentially linked together by peptide bonds, according to the genetic code, to synthesize short chains of amino acids known as peptides. These molecules function as critical signaling agents, including many hormones like insulin, ghrelin, and oxytocin, regulating a vast array of physiological processes from metabolism to mood. This production is a key step in the central dogma of molecular biology.
Origin
The term originates from biochemistry and molecular biology, where the structure of proteins and their smaller components, peptides, was elucidated. The etymology of peptide comes from the Greek peptós, meaning “digested,” reflecting the historical understanding of these molecules as breakdown products of proteins. The precise understanding of their cellular synthesis and endocrine function is foundational to modern endocrinology.
Mechanism
Peptide production initiates with gene transcription into messenger RNA (mRNA), followed by translation on ribosomes, where transfer RNA (tRNA) brings amino acids in the correct sequence. The nascent peptide chain then often undergoes extensive post-translational modifications, including cleavage by specific proteases and folding, within the endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi apparatus. These modification steps are essential for activating the peptide into its final, biologically functional hormone or signaling molecule before it is packaged for secretion.
Adhering to stringent Chinese Pharmacopoeia standards for peptide production elevates quality, increases manufacturing costs, and reshapes global market access for therapeutic compounds.
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