Other · Cyclic peptide
DPDPE
Also known as [D-Pen2,D-Pen5]enkephalin
DPDPE ([D-Pen2,D-Pen5]enkephalin) is a potent, selective delta-opioid receptor agonist used as a standard tool in neuroscience research.
- Length
- 5 amino acids (modified)
- Half-life
- Not well characterised
- Mechanism
- DPDPE is a highly selective and potent cyclic peptide agonist for the delta-opioid receptor (DOR).
- Studied in
- It is a standard tool compound in neuroscience research to probe the function of delta-opioid receptors in receptor binding assays, cell signaling studies, and behavioral models.
About DPDPE
DPDPE, or [D-Pen2,D-Pen5]enkephalin, is a synthetic cyclic pentapeptide analog of enkephalin. Its structure incorporates two D-penicillamine residues at positions 2 and 5, which form a disulfide bridge, creating a conformationally constrained ring. This structural modification confers high potency and exceptional selectivity for the delta-opioid receptor over mu- and kappa-opioid receptors.
As a selective agonist, DPDPE is a critical research tool for isolating and studying the physiological and cellular roles of the delta-opioid receptor (DOR). It is widely used in competitive radioligand binding assays to determine the affinity of other compounds for DOR. Furthermore, it is applied in cell culture models to investigate DOR-mediated signal transduction, such as G-protein activation and adenylyl cyclase inhibition.
Laboratory notes
- DPDPE is typically dissolved in DMSO for stock solutions, which can then be diluted in aqueous buffers for final experimental concentrations.
- Due to its high receptor selectivity, it is often used as a reference compound to differentiate delta-opioid effects from mu- or kappa-opioid effects.
- In binding assays, non-specific binding can be determined by including a high concentration of a non-labeled ligand like naloxone.
Storage and reconstitution basics: storage guide.
Questions about DPDPE
What does the acronym DPDPE stand for?
It stands for [D-Penicillamine2, D-Penicillamine5]enkephalin, describing the key structural modifications to the native enkephalin peptide.
What is the main advantage of using DPDPE in research?
Its primary advantage is its high selectivity for the delta-opioid receptor, allowing researchers to study the function of this specific receptor subtype with minimal off-target effects at mu or kappa receptors.
What type of assay is DPDPE commonly used in?
It is a standard reagent in radioligand binding assays to characterize the delta-opioid receptor and in functional assays measuring cAMP levels or GTPγS binding following receptor activation.
Is DPDPE 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.