Metabolic · Mitochondrial-derived peptide
Small humanin-like peptide 2 (SHLP2)
Also known as SHLP2
A 26-amino-acid mitochondrial-derived peptide investigated for effects on respiration, cellular stress and metabolic signalling.
- Length
- 26 amino acids
- Half-life
- Not well characterised
- Mechanism
- SHLP2 has been reported to modulate mitochondrial respiration, ATP-related readouts and apoptosis-associated signalling in experimental systems. Cell studies implicate pathways including ERK and STAT3, although these downstream responses do not establish a single cognate cell-surface receptor.
- Studied in
- SHLP2 is examined in cultured cells, isolated mitochondrial preparations and rodent models of mitochondrial stress and metabolic signalling.
About Small humanin-like peptide 2 (SHLP2)
SHLP2 is one of six small humanin-like peptides reported in 2016 from predicted short open reading frames in the mitochondrial MT-RNR2 region. The reference peptide contains 26 amino acids and is distinct from both humanin and SHLP1 despite their common genomic context. Early characterisation examined cellular survival, mitochondrial function and metabolic signalling. Subsequent work has expanded interest in its relationship to mitochondrial respiratory machinery, while leaving important questions about endogenous processing and peptide trafficking unresolved.
Experimental reports associate SHLP2 with changes in oxygen consumption, ATP content, reactive oxygen species and apoptosis markers under defined cellular conditions. ERK and STAT3 responses have also been investigated, but pathway activation should not be mistaken for identification of a direct receptor. Its effects can depend on cell type and the metabolic state of the assay. Mechanistic studies benefit from combining respiratory measurements with molecular perturbations and direct binding experiments rather than relying on a single viability endpoint.
Laboratory notes
- Check sequence identity carefully when comparing reference SHLP2 with reported sequence variants; variant-specific findings should remain separate.
- Normalise oxygen-consumption and ATP measurements to an appropriate cell-number or biomass measure, and document medium composition.
- For research use only. Include cell-free controls for fluorescent stress probes and use orthogonal measurements of mitochondrial function.
Storage and reconstitution basics: storage guide.
Questions about Small humanin-like peptide 2 (SHLP2)
Is SHLP2 a shortened form of humanin?
No. It is a distinct peptide proposed from a separate short open reading frame in the same mitochondrial ribosomal RNA region.
Which assays are informative for SHLP2 research?
Respiratory flux, ATP content, mitochondrial membrane potential and apoptosis markers are useful complementary endpoints when supported by suitable controls.
Does STAT3 activation identify the SHLP2 receptor?
No. STAT3 is a downstream signalling component used by many pathways; its activation alone cannot identify the initiating molecular target.
Is Small humanin-like peptide 2 (SHLP2) 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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