Cardiovascular · Neuropeptide
α-CGRP
Also known as Alpha-Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide
α-CGRP is a 37-amino-acid neuropeptide and potent vasodilator that acts on the CGRP receptor, widely studied for its roles in vascular and neural systems.
- Length
- 37 amino acids
- Half-life
- A few minutes in human plasma
- Mechanism
- It acts as a potent agonist at the CGRP receptor, a heterodimer of CALCRL and RAMP1, leading to Gs-protein activation and increased cAMP.
- Studied in
- Laboratory research utilizes α-CGRP to study its role in vasodilation, nociception, and neurogenic inflammation in a variety of in vitro and ex vivo models.
About α-CGRP
Alpha-Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide (α-CGRP) is a 37-amino-acid neuropeptide produced by alternative splicing of the calcitonin gene transcript in neuronal cells. It is one of the most abundant peptides in the peripheral and central nervous systems. The molecule features an N-terminal disulfide bridge and a C-terminal amidation, both critical for its high-affinity receptor binding and biological activity.
α-CGRP exerts its effects by activating the CGRP receptor, a G-protein-coupled receptor complex formed by the calcitonin receptor-like receptor (CALCRL) and Receptor Activity-Modifying Protein 1 (RAMP1). Activation typically couples to the Gs alpha subunit, stimulating adenylyl cyclase and elevating intracellular cyclic AMP (cAMP) levels. This signaling pathway makes α-CGRP one of the most potent endogenous vasodilators known, and it is extensively studied in models of vascular function and pain transmission. Several antagonists of this system are reference compounds with a clinical history.
Laboratory notes
- The intramolecular disulfide bond between Cys-2 and Cys-7 is essential for activity; avoid reducing agents in experimental buffers.
- α-CGRP is susceptible to proteolysis; use protease inhibitors in experiments with tissue homogenates or plasma.
- For vasodilation studies in isolated artery segments, concentrations are typically in the nanomolar range.
Storage and reconstitution basics: storage guide.
Questions about α-CGRP
What is the difference between α-CGRP and β-CGRP?
They are encoded by separate genes and differ by only a few amino acids (one in rodents, three in humans). They have very similar biological activities but differ in their tissue expression patterns.
What is the CGRP receptor?
It is a complex of two proteins: CALCRL, which provides the main receptor body, and RAMP1, which is required for the transport of CALCRL to the cell surface and for high-affinity binding of CGRP.
Why is the C-terminal amidation important?
The amide group at the C-terminus significantly increases the peptide's affinity for its receptor and protects it from degradation by carboxypeptidases.
Is α-CGRP for human use?
No. It is supplied strictly for in-vitro laboratory research and is not for human or animal consumption.
Related research peptides
All products are sold for laboratory research use only. Not for human consumption, not a medicine, not for diagnosing, treating or preventing any condition.