In the highly specialized field of peptide research, the study of seemingly simple molecules often yields profound insights. Boc-(Gly)₄-OH, also known as Boc-Gly-Gly-Gly-Gly-OH, is one such molecule that has emerged as a vital tool for scientific exploration and pharmaceutical development. This tetrapeptide, built from four glycine units, offers a blend of simplicity and reliability, serving both as a model peptide in research and as a working standard for quality control in pharmaceutical applications.
This article explores the significance, structure, applications, and quality standards of Boc-(Gly)₄-OH, shedding light on how this molecule contributes to the advancement of peptide science and drug quality assurance.
Understanding Boc-(Gly)₄-OH
Boc-(Gly)₄-OH stands for N-tert-Butyloxycarbonyl-glycine-glycine-glycine-glycine-OH. It’s a tetrapeptide, meaning it consists of four amino acid residues, each of which is glycine, the simplest amino acid. The molecule’s chemical name, 2-[[2-[[2-[[2-[(2-Methylpropan-2-yl)oxycarbonylamino]acetyl]amino]acetyl]amino]acetyl]amino]acetic acid, reflects its straightforward structure, which is designed without bulky side chains. This minimalistic design offers scientists a "clean" model for studying peptide backbone interactions and exploring the fundamental properties of peptides.
Quick Facts about Boc-(Gly)₄-OH:
Product Name: Boc-Gly-Gly-Gly-Gly-OH
Product Category: Peptide Working Standards / Pharmaceutical Impurities
Product Code: AC03-BGly4OH-12
CAS Number: 174308-47-5
Molecular Weight: 346.34 g/mol
Molecular Formula: C₁₃H₂₂N₄O₇
Due to its predictable behaviour in synthesis, Boc-(Gly)₄-OH is often used as a model peptide for examining the conformational stability and flexibility of peptide backbones. It’s particularly valuable for research on peptide structures, where scientists can observe the peptide backbone interactions without the confounding influence of larger amino acid side chains. This simplicity allows for a clear focus on the backbone properties, providing insights that can be extended to more complex peptide systems.
The Importance of Boc-(Gly)₄-OH in Pharmaceutical Research and Development
Peptide-based drugs and therapeutic proteins are growing in popularity due to their high specificity and ability to target diseases at a molecular level. The study of simpler peptides, such as Boc-(Gly)₄-OH, plays a crucial role in understanding the properties and behaviour of these larger, more complex molecules.
Boc-(Gly)₄-OH serves as a probable impurity in drugs like terlipressin, a peptide drug used in treating various medical conditions. Given its structural similarity to therapeutic peptides, Boc-(Gly)₄-OH is essential for:
Product Development: By identifying and studying impurities like Boc-(Gly)₄-OH, researchers can better understand the formulation and stability of peptide-based drugs, allowing for refinements in drug development.
Quality Control: Ensuring the absence or controlled presence of specific impurities is essential in pharmaceutical manufacturing. Boc-(Gly)₄-OH’s use as a working standard helps quality control teams detect and quantify impurities in peptide drugs.
Method Validation: Pharmaceutical companies use Boc-(Gly)₄-OH to validate testing methods, ensuring they are accurate and reliable. This validation is critical in regulatory compliance and guarantees that quality and safety standards are consistently met.
Stability Studies: Researchers use Boc-(Gly)₄-OH to investigate the stability of peptide formulations over time, examining how environmental factors or processing conditions may impact the integrity of the drug.
Advent’s Commitment to Quality and Purity Standards
To meet the high standards required in pharmaceutical research, Advent provides Boc-(Gly)₄-OH with a purity of over 95%, supported by comprehensive characterization data. This quality is validated through a series of sophisticated techniques, each offering insights into different aspects of the molecule’s structure and stability:
High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC): Used for confirming the purity of Boc-(Gly)₄-OH, HPLC allows Advent to ensure that the molecule meets the rigorous standards required for pharmaceutical applications.
1H Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (¹H NMR): This analysis reveals the chemical environment of the hydrogen atoms in the molecule, providing a detailed view of its structure and any possible impurities.
Mass Spectrometry (MS): Mass spectrometry confirms the molecular weight of Boc-(Gly)₄-OH, ensuring consistency with the expected mass and helping detect any trace impurities.
Infrared (IR) Spectroscopy: IR spectroscopy identifies specific functional groups within the molecule, offering further confirmation of its identity and purity.
Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA): TGA assesses the molecule’s thermal stability by measuring weight loss as it is heated. This helps determine how Boc-(Gly)₄-OH will perform under different storage or processing conditions.
For pharmaceutical clients, Advent provides a Certificate of Analysis (CoA) with each batch, detailing the purity, potency, and structural integrity of Boc-(Gly)₄-OH. This document offers assurance that the molecule is compliant with industry standards, enabling clients to use it confidently in research and development processes.
Immediate Availability and Global Reach
Advent understands the urgency often associated with research and development projects in the pharmaceutical industry. To support these timelines, Boc-(Gly)₄-OH is maintained as a ready-stock item, available for prompt delivery to both domestic and international clients.
The global demand for reliable peptide standards is growing, and Advent has positioned itself as a trusted supplier for pharmaceutical companies worldwide. By ensuring prompt delivery and consistent quality, Advent enables researchers and quality control teams to focus on their work without delays.
Boc-(Gly)₄-OH as a Model Peptide for Backbone Research
Peptides are a fundamental component of life, with their structures influencing countless biological processes. In research, Boc-(Gly)₄-OH serves as an ideal model peptide due to its predictable behaviour and minimalistic design. Its backbone, free from bulky side chains, provides a unique opportunity for scientists to examine the flexibility and stability of peptide chains without interference.
Studying Boc-(Gly)₄-OH helps researchers understand peptide behaviour at a molecular level, including how peptide backbones respond to different environments or structural modifications. This knowledge is instrumental in designing new therapeutic peptides that are stable, effective, and safe, paving the way for advancements in peptide-based treatments.
Conclusion
In the field of peptide research and pharmaceutical development, molecules like Boc-(Gly)₄-OH hold a unique and valuable place. This tetrapeptide, consisting of simple glycine units, serves as both a reliable model for studying peptide backbones and an essential working standard for pharmaceutical quality control. With its high purity, extensive characterization data, and immediate availability, Advent’s Boc-(Gly)₄-OH provides pharmaceutical innovators and researchers with the tools they need to advance their work.
Whether used in product development, quality assurance, or stability studies, Boc-(Gly)₄-OH exemplifies how simplicity in molecular design can drive significant progress in the pharmaceutical industry. As demand for peptide-based drugs and therapeutic proteins continues to rise, Boc-(Gly)₄-OH will remain a vital resource in both research and manufacturing, contributing to the ongoing evolution of drug development.
