The therapeutic use of short chains of amino acids, or peptides, designed to mimic or modulate specific endogenous signaling molecules that regulate complex physiological functions, including growth hormone release or metabolic signaling. Application involves understanding the specific receptor affinity and stability of the chosen sequence for targeted biological effect. This represents a sophisticated tool in endocrinology.
Origin
This field draws from biochemistry and molecular biology, where the “peptide sequence” is the specific order of amino acids conferring biological activity. “Application” signifies the deliberate clinical deployment of these highly specific signaling agents. Many peptides act as secretagogues or receptor agonists.
Mechanism
The mechanism relies on the peptide binding to a specific cell surface receptor, triggering a defined intracellular cascade. For example, certain peptides stimulate the pituitary to release growth hormone by mimicking GHRH activity at the receptor level. Because peptides are rapidly metabolized, their effective mechanism often requires specialized delivery or formulation to achieve sustained physiological signaling.
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