Other · Opioid peptide
Deltorphin II
Also known as D-Ala2-Deltorphin II
A naturally derived heptapeptide, Deltorphin II is a potent and highly selective delta-opioid receptor agonist used in pharmacological research.
- Length
- 7 amino acids
- Half-life
- Not well characterised
- Mechanism
- This peptide is a high-affinity agonist for the delta-opioid receptor (DOR), with a high degree of selectivity over other opioid receptors.
- Studied in
- It is used in neuroscience and pharmacology as a tool to investigate delta-opioid receptor distribution, signaling, and functional responses in vitro.
About Deltorphin II
Deltorphin II, like its counterpart Deltorphin I, is an opioid peptide derived from the skin of phyllomedusine frogs. Its structure, Tyr-D-Ala-Phe-Glu-Val-Val-Gly-NH2, incorporates a D-alanine residue that confers stability and is critical for its receptor binding profile. This modification helps protect the peptide from rapid cleavage by peptidases in experimental systems.
This peptide is a potent agonist at the delta-opioid receptor (DOR), demonstrating very high selectivity for DOR over mu- (MOR) and kappa- (KOR) opioid receptors. While both Deltorphin I and II are highly selective, they possess minor differences in their binding affinities and functional potencies that can be exploited in comparative studies. It is widely used in competitive binding assays and to stimulate DOR-dependent pathways in cell culture and tissue slice preparations.
Laboratory notes
- The D-alanine at position 2 is essential for its high delta-opioid receptor affinity and selectivity.
- Its sequence differs from Deltorphin I at position 4 (Glu in II vs. Asp in I), leading to subtle differences in binding characteristics.
- For functional assays, solubility in aqueous buffers can be pH-dependent; ensure complete dissolution before use.
Storage and reconstitution basics: storage guide.
Questions about Deltorphin II
What is the primary difference between Deltorphin I and Deltorphin II?
The key difference is the amino acid at position 4: Deltorphin I has aspartic acid (Asp), while Deltorphin II has glutamic acid (Glu). This leads to slight variations in their pharmacological profiles.
What kind of experiments is Deltorphin II used for?
It is primarily used as a selective chemical tool in the lab to activate delta-opioid receptors for studies on receptor pharmacology, G-protein coupling, and second messenger systems.
Is this peptide an antagonist?
No, Deltorphin II is a potent agonist, meaning it activates the delta-opioid receptor upon binding.
Is Deltorphin II 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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