Key Takeaways
- Semaglutide is a synthetic 31-amino-acid GLP-1 receptor agonist (CAS 910463-68-2, C187H291N45O59, approximately 4114 Da). Two engineered changes define it against native GLP-1: alpha-aminoisobutyric acid at position 8, which removes the DPP-4 cleavage site, and a C18 fatty diacid at Lys26, which binds serum albumin.
Semaglutide Specifications
Semaglutide (CAS 910463-68-2) is studied in in-vitro and animal models via GLP-1 receptor agonist. This section covers molecular identity and specification data. Analytical standard: not stated because Peptide.Express does not stock this reference compound. No supplied-material claim is made on this reference page. Identity, structure, and handling values come from the existing profile.
- Compound
- Semaglutide
- CAS Number
- 910463-68-2
- Molecular Formula
- C187H291N45O59
- Molecular Weight
- 4114 Da
- Sequence / Structure
- Synthetic 31-amino-acid GLP-1 analog (fatty-acylated)
- Mechanism Class
- GLP-1 receptor agonist
Semaglutide molecular identity and purity specifications
Semaglutide Mechanism of Action
Semaglutide (CAS 910463-68-2) is studied in in-vitro and animal models via GLP-1 receptor agonist. This section covers the reported mechanism and its evidence limits. Analytical standard: not stated because Peptide.Express does not stock this reference compound. No supplied-material claim is made on this reference page.
Semaglutide binds the GLP-1 receptor, a class B GPCR, and signals through Gs to raise intracellular cAMP — the same pathway native GLP-1 (7-36) amide uses. What the engineering changed is durability, not the signal. Native GLP-1 is cleaved by dipeptidyl peptidase-4 within minutes; substituting alpha-aminoisobutyric acid for alanine at position 8 removes that cleavage site, and the C18 diacid tethered to Lys26 through a gamma-glutamyl and two OEG spacers binds albumin and slows renal clearance.
The outcome is a single-receptor agonist with a half-life measured in days, which is exactly why it serves as the reference point against which multi-receptor analogs such as tirzepatide and retatrutide are assessed.
Semaglutide Research Applications
Semaglutide (CAS 910463-68-2) is studied in in-vitro and animal models via GLP-1 receptor agonist. This section covers the model systems and analytical readouts. Analytical standard: not stated because Peptide.Express does not stock this reference compound. No supplied-material claim is made on this reference page. Identity, structure, and handling values come from the existing profile.
GLP-1 receptor signaling assays. As a single-receptor agonist semaglutide isolates the GLP-1 arm cleanly, which no dual or triple agonist can do.
Comparator arm in multi-receptor incretin studies, establishing the GLP-1-only baseline against tirzepatide and retatrutide.
Half-life engineering chemistry, since the Aib-8 substitution and the gamma-Glu/OEG/C18 linker are a widely copied template for extending peptide residence time.
Comparison With Other GLP-1 Research Peptides
Semaglutide (CAS 910463-68-2) is studied in in-vitro and animal models via GLP-1 receptor agonist. This section covers the evidence and structural context for this topic. Analytical standard: not stated because Peptide.Express does not stock this reference compound. No supplied-material claim is made on this reference page.
Native GLP-1(7-36) amide is inactivated rapidly in plasma, chiefly by dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) cleavage of the His7-Ala8 N-terminal dipeptide. Semaglutide's longer residence time comes from two structural changes rather than a different signal: alpha-aminoisobutyric acid (Aib) at position 8, which removes the DPP-4 recognition site, and a C18 fatty diacid attached to Lys26 through a gamma-glutamyl and two OEG spacers, which binds serum albumin.
Liraglutide, the earlier acylated analog, keeps Ala8 and carries a C16 palmitoyl chain on Lys26. That makes the two a useful in vitro comparison set for studying how acyl-chain chemistry and position-8 substitution affect GLP-1 receptor potency, albumin affinity and protease stability.
Regulatory Considerations for Research Use
Semaglutide (CAS 910463-68-2) is studied in in-vitro and animal models via GLP-1 receptor agonist. This section covers the evidence and structural context for this topic. Analytical standard: not stated because Peptide.Express does not stock this reference compound. No supplied-material claim is made on this reference page.
Semaglutide research peptides are classified for research use only, requiring proper institutional approvals and compliance with local regulations. Researchers must maintain documentation demonstrating legitimate scientific investigation purposes and adherence to institutional review protocols.
All products discussed are for research use only. Not for human consumption.
Researchers should verify local regulations regarding peptide possession and utilization in their specific jurisdiction before procurement.
Semaglutide Storage Requirements
Semaglutide (CAS 910463-68-2) is studied in in-vitro and animal models via GLP-1 receptor agonist. This section covers the material's structure-specific handling requirements. Analytical standard: not stated because Peptide.Express does not stock this reference compound. No supplied-material claim is made on this reference page. Identity, structure, and handling values come from the existing profile.
Store lyophilized semaglutide at -20°C (-4°F) and protect it from moisture; the acylated peptide is hygroscopic and a cold vial opened before it equilibrates will draw water from room air. Reconstituted, hold at 2-8°C (36-46°F) and use within 30 days. Do not freeze or shake the solution — agitation at the air-liquid interface promotes fibrillation in acylated GLP-1 analogs, and a hazy vial should be discarded rather than filtered.
Semaglutide Frequently Asked Questions
What is Semaglutide?
Semaglutide is a synthetic 31-amino-acid analog of human GLP-1 that acts as a GLP-1 receptor agonist. Its CAS registry number is 910463-68-2, its molecular formula is C187H291N45O59 and its average molecular weight is approximately 4114 Da. It is studied in metabolic signaling and energy-balance research models.
How does Semaglutide differ structurally from native GLP-1?
Two changes. Alanine at position 8 is replaced by alpha-aminoisobutyric acid, removing the DPP-4 cleavage site that limits native GLP-1 to a half-life of minutes. Lysine 26 carries a C18 fatty diacid on a gamma-glutamyl and OEG linker that binds serum albumin and slows renal clearance. The receptor engaged and the downstream cAMP signaling are unchanged.
What is the difference between Semaglutide and Retatrutide?
Semaglutide acts at one receptor, GLP-1. Retatrutide acts at three: GIP, GLP-1 and glucagon. Semaglutide is 31 residues with a C18 diacid at Lys26 and approximately 4114 Da; retatrutide is a 39-residue peptide on a GIP-derived backbone at approximately 4731 Da. Drug products containing semaglutide have been approved by the FDA for another manufacturer. That approval covers those products only and does not extend to research material such as this. Retatrutide remains investigational.
Does Peptide.Express sell Semaglutide for research?
Peptide.Express does not currently stock Semaglutide. Researchers comparing incretin-pathway mechanisms can source Retatrutide (a triple GLP-1/GIP/glucagon agonist) and GLP2-TIRZ (tirzepatide, a dual GLP-1/GIP agonist), both, sourced to a ≥99% HPLC specification, with a Certificate of Analysis where one is on file. Browse peptide.express/catalog for current availability.
References
- Lau J, et al. Discovery of the Once-Weekly Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 (GLP-1) Analogue Semaglutide. J Med Chem. 2015. DOI 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.5b00726
- Knudsen LB, Lau J. The Discovery and Development of Liraglutide and Semaglutide. Front Endocrinol. 2019. DOI 10.3389/fendo.2019.00155
- Mentlein R, et al. Dipeptidyl-peptidase IV hydrolyses gastric inhibitory polypeptide, glucagon-like peptide-1(7-36)amide, peptide histidine methionine and is responsible for their degradation in human serum. Eur J Biochem. 1993. PubMed 8100523
- Thorens B. Expression cloning of the pancreatic beta cell receptor for the gluco-incretin hormone glucagon-like peptide 1. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA. 1992. DOI 10.1073/pnas.89.18.8641
- Zhang X, et al. Structure and dynamics of semaglutide- and taspoglutide-bound GLP-1R-Gs complexes. Cell Rep. 2021. DOI 10.1016/j.celrep.2021.109374
- Holst JJ. The physiology of glucagon-like peptide 1. Physiol Rev. 2007. DOI 10.1152/physrev.00034.2006
- Drucker DJ. Mechanisms of Action and Therapeutic Application of Glucagon-like Peptide-1. Cell Metab. 2018. DOI 10.1016/j.cmet.2018.03.001
Semaglutide Compared
Research Areas Using Semaglutide
Related Research Guides
How This Page Is Sourced
Molecular identity on this page (name, CAS number, molecular formula and molecular weight) is resolved from a single internal entity record and checked against primary registries (PubChem, CAS Common Chemistry) rather than retyped per page. A field with no verified value is left out instead of estimated. Literature is cited to a DOI, PMID or PMCID permalink so every reference resolves to the specific record it names.