Other · Disulphide-cyclised somatostatin-related neuropeptide
Cortistatin-14
Also known as CST-14; CORT-14
Cyclic cortical neuropeptide used to investigate somatostatin receptor signalling and neuronal electrophysiology.
- Length
- 14 amino acids
- Half-life
- Not well characterised
- Mechanism
- Cortistatin-14 activates somatostatin receptors SSTR1–SSTR5, which predominantly couple to Gi/o proteins and regulate cyclic AMP and ion-channel signalling. Some experimental effects differ from those of somatostatin, but these differences do not establish a unique cortistatin-specific receptor.
- Studied in
- Recombinant receptor assays, cortical neuronal cultures, brain slices and rodent electrophysiology models investigate Cortistatin-14 signalling and neuronal network activity.
About Cortistatin-14
Cortistatin-14 was identified in rat cerebral cortex during work on neuropeptides related to somatostatin. The conventional rat sequence is PCKNFFWKTFSSCK, with a disulphide bond between Cys2 and Cys13. Although it shares the NFFWKT motif with somatostatin, its surrounding residues and precursor origin are distinct. Cortistatin is encoded by a separate gene rather than generated from the somatostatin precursor, making the two peptides related ligands rather than alternative names for one molecule.
Binding and functional studies show that Cortistatin-14 can engage all five somatostatin receptor subtypes. Laboratory investigations examine downstream cyclic AMP regulation, membrane excitability and synaptic activity, often alongside somatostatin as a comparator. Cortical slice recordings and rodent studies also explore differences in network-state regulation. Because several receptor subtypes can contribute within a tissue, subtype-selective controls or genetic approaches are needed to connect an observed response to a particular signalling pathway.
Laboratory notes
- Verify the oxidised monomer and intended intramolecular disulphide bond; a reduced preparation is not structurally equivalent.
- Confirm the species-specific sequence rather than relying solely on the Cortistatin-14 label.
- Pair electrophysiological or cyclic AMP readouts with receptor controls to separate shared somatostatin signalling from other effects.
Storage and reconstitution basics: storage guide.
Questions about Cortistatin-14
How does Cortistatin-14 differ structurally from somatostatin-14?
Both contain a disulphide-constrained region and a shared NFFWKT motif, but their flanking sequences and disulphide positions differ.
Is Cortistatin-14 selective for one somatostatin receptor?
No. Activity has been reported across SSTR1–SSTR5, so subtype attribution requires additional experimental controls.
Why is species information important?
Cortistatin processing and mature peptide sequences differ between species. The conventional 14-residue reference peptide is the rat form.
Is Cortistatin-14 for human use?
No. It is supplied strictly for in-vitro laboratory research and is not for human or animal consumption.
Related research peptides
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