Peptide Database

CCK · CCK-8

Cholecystokinin (CCK) is a peptide hormone produced by duodenal I-cells and neurons in the CNS. It triggers gallbladder contraction, pancreatic enzyme secretion, and potently suppresses appetite via vagal nerve CCK1 receptors. In the brain, CCK neurons modulate anxiety, pain, memory consolidation, and dopamine release. CCK antagonists are studied for anxiety and pain; CCK agonists for obesity and eating disorders.

Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone · Corticotropin-Releasing Factor

CRH is a 41-amino-acid neuropeptide produced in the hypothalamus that drives the HPA axis stress response. It stimulates ACTH release from the anterior pituitary, ultimately triggering cortisol secretion. Beyond stress regulation, CRH receptors (CRHR1, CRHR2) are distributed throughout the brain and gut, mediating anxiety, depression, immune function, and GI motility. CRH antagonists are under development for anxiety, depression, and irritable bowel syndrome.

GAL

Galanin is a 29-30 amino acid neuropeptide widely distributed throughout the CNS and peripheral nervous system. It modulates memory, mood, pain, seizures, appetite, and sleep via three receptor subtypes (GALR1–3). Research focuses on its roles in Alzheimer's disease (galanin hyperinnervation of cholinergic neurons), depression, epilepsy, and eating behavior. Both agonists and antagonists have therapeutic potential depending on the target condition.

Hypocretin-1 · OXA

Orexin A (Hypocretin-1) is a 33-amino-acid neuropeptide produced exclusively by lateral hypothalamic neurons. It promotes wakefulness, arousal, and energy expenditure via OX1R and OX2R receptors, and its deficiency (due to autoimmune destruction of orexin neurons) is the cause of narcolepsy with cataplexy. Orexin receptor antagonists (suvorexant, lemborexant) are approved for insomnia; orexin agonists are under development for narcolepsy.

SP · NK1 ligand

Substance P is an 11-amino-acid neuropeptide of the tachykinin family and a primary neurotransmitter of pain signaling in the spinal cord. It binds NK1 receptors to mediate neurogenic inflammation, pain hypersensitivity, and emotional processing. NK1 antagonists have been developed for pain, depression (aprepitant), and nausea. Research also implicates substance P in wound healing, immune activation, and neuroinflammation.