Dermorphin (Opioid Peptide)

Product Overview

Dermorphin is a natural opioid heptapeptide known for its high potency and selectivity towards the $\mu$-opioid receptor (MOR). Originally isolated from the skin of South American frogs of the Phyllomedusa genus, this compound serves as a valuable tool in neuroscience and pharmacology research for investigating opioid receptor signaling pathways.

Key Characteristics

Characteristic

Detail

Product Name

Dermorphin (Opioid Peptide) - Research Grade

Sequence

H-Tyr-D-Ala-Phe-Gly-Tyr-Pro-Ser-NH₂

Molecular Weight

802.9 Da (Batch Verified)

Purity

99.09% (HPLC)

Form

Lyophilized Powder

Usage

For Laboratory Research Only. Not for human or animal therapeutic use.

Structural and Chemical Data

Dermorphin is notable for the unusual presence of a D-alanine residue at the second position (D-Ala²). This modification is crucial for its biological activity, conferring resistance to enzymatic degradation by common peptidases and significantly contributing to its high receptor affinity and long duration of action in vivo.

Chemical Structure

The structure of Dermorphin is a linear chain of seven amino acids.

Mechanism of Action

Dermorphin functions as a highly potent agonist for the $\mu$-opioid receptor (MOR).

The MOR is a G-protein coupled receptor (GPCR). Upon binding, Dermorphin activates the receptor, leading to the dissociation of the G-protein complex. The primary signaling mechanism involves the inhibition of adenylate cyclase, which results in decreased intracellular levels of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP). This signaling cascade is central to its profound analgesic properties in biological systems.

The mechanism is summarized below:

1. Binding: Dermorphin binds to the $\mu$-opioid receptor.
2. Activation: GPCR undergoes a conformational change.
3. Inhibition: $\alpha$ subunit inhibits the enzyme adenylate cyclase.
4. Effect: Decreased synthesis of cAMP, altering cellular signaling and neurotransmission.

Handling, Storage, and Preparation

This product is for research purposes only and must be handled by trained personnel using appropriate laboratory safety procedures.

Storage and Stability

Condition

Form

Recommended Duration

Long-Term Storage

Lyophilized Powder

Store at -20°C (stable for up to 2 years)

Short-Term Storage

Lyophilized Powder

Store at 4°C (stable for up to 6 months)

Working Solutions

Reconstituted Liquid

Store at -20°C for aliquots (avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles)

Reconstitution Protocol

To prepare a stock solution:

1. Allow the vial of lyophilized powder to reach room temperature before opening.
2. Determine the desired concentration (e.g., 1 mg/mL or 1 mM).
3. Reconstitute the powder in a suitable solvent, such as sterile, deionized water or phosphate-buffered saline (PBS).

• Note on Solvents: For solutions requiring higher stability, solvents like 0.1% acetic acid or minimal amounts of organic solvents (e.g., acetonitrile) may be used, though aqueous buffers are preferred for most biological assays.

1. Gently mix by swirling or brief sonication until the powder is fully dissolved. Do not vortex vigorously.
2. Divide the stock solution into small aliquots (e.g., 50 $\mu$L or 100 $\mu$L) and store at $-20^{\circ}\text{C}$ to maintain stability and prevent degradation.

Quality Control Data

The Dermorphin peptide has undergone rigorous quality control testing to ensure high purity and accurate molecular weight.

High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC)

The purity was confirmed using Reverse-Phase HPLC, with the following results:

Assay

Result

Limit

Purity

99.09%

$\ge$98.0%

[A chromatogram illustrating a single, prominent peak for Dermorphin at its characteristic retention time, confirming high purity]

Mass Spectrometry (MS)

Molecular weight verification was performed using Electrospray Ionization Mass Spectrometry (ESI-MS).

Measurement

Expected (Monoisotopic Mass)

Observed Mass (Batch Verified)

Molecular Weight

802.9 Da

802.9 Da

[A mass spectrum showing a clear peak at the $\text{m}/\text{z}$ corresponding to the Dermorphin peptide, verifying the molecular weight]

Research Applications

Due to its high potency and selectivity, Dermorphin is primarily used in the following research areas:

• Opioid Receptor Pharmacology: Characterizing the binding kinetics and functional selectivity of MORs.
• Pain Research: Used as a standard positive control or comparator in in vitro and in vivo models of nociception and analgesia.
• Signal Transduction Studies: Investigating GPCR-mediated signaling pathways, including G-protein coupling, $\beta$-arrestin recruitment, and receptor internalization.

Safety and Disclaimer

Usage Warning: This product is intended For Laboratory Research Use Only.

• It is NOT intended for human consumption, diagnostic procedures, or therapeutic use.
• The researcher is solely responsible for determining the compound's suitability for their research and for the safe handling and disposal of the product.
• Material Safety Data Sheets (File) and general safety guidelines should be consulted before handling.
• All personnel must be properly trained and use appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).

Vendor Contact: For technical support or Certificate of Analysis (CoA) requests, please contact us at Person.

Batch Number: [Batch Number Placeholder]

Date of Manufacture: Date