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P-21 Peptide Research Hub

P-21 (P021) is a synthetic CNTF-derived peptidergic compound comprising the biologically active CNTF 148–151 region with a C-terminal adamantylated glycine modification, investigated in preclinical studies for neurotrophic signaling and BDNF-associated cellular pathways.

  • CNTF-derived peptide
  • neurotrophic peptide mimetic
  • peptidergic compound
  • small-molecule peptide mimetic
  • synthetic peptide derivative
01

Technical Overview

P-21, more frequently referred to as P021 or Peptide 021, is a synthetic peptidergic research compound which has been chemically altered and is based on a short segment linked with ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF). The peptide part of the compound includes the Asp-Gly-Gly-Leu (DGGL) sequence that corresponds to an active region of human CNTF, along with terminal modifications intended to change the physicochemical properties of the molecule.

P021 is usually given the representation Ac-DGGL^AG-NH₂, the molecule having an N-terminal acetyl group and a C-terminal adamantylated glycine derivative. Structural descriptions that have been published state that the adamantyl modification serves to alter the lipophilicity and proteolytic stability of the parent peptide.

The compound has been studied experimentally in the fields of peptide chemistry, molecular neuroscience, and cellular signalling. Laboratory studies have looked at P021 in connection with CNTF-derived peptide sequences, LIF-associated signalling, the transcription of BDNF, the GSK-3β-associated pathways, peptide stability and molecular transport. The clearly defined modified structure also allows for the compound to be identified in the laboratory by means of chromatographic and mass-spectrometric techniques.

02

Chemical Classification

Chemical name
N-acetyl-L-α-aspartylglycylglycyl-N-(3-(aminocarbonyl)tricyclo(3.3.1.1³,⁷)dec-1-yl)-L-leucinamide
Common name(s)
P-21, P21, P021, Peptide 021
Alternative nomenclature
Ac-DGGL^AG-NH2, CNTF-derived peptidergic compound
Molecular formula
C27H42N6O8
Molecular weight
578.68 g/mol
Compound Class
Synthetic CNTF-derived peptide mimetic, neurotrophic peptide compound, adamantylated peptide mimetic
Origin
Synthetic, derived from the biologically active region of human ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF)
Purity
99.2%
CAS Number
1246751-68-7
Sequence
Ac-Asp-Gly-Gly-Leu-[adamantylated glycine]-NH₂
03

Molecular Characteristics

P021 is a synthetic peptidergic compound of low molecular weight which is based on the Asp-Gly-Gly-Leu (DGGL) sequence. This sequence has been obtained experimentally from a short section of human ciliary neurotrophic factor. Together with an unmodified linear tetrapeptide, P021 has chemical modifications at both of its termini.

The N-terminus is acetylated and the C-terminal area contains a glycine-derived group that is adamantylated. The adamantane part is a large, hydrophobic, cage-shaped hydrocarbon structure. As a result of its inclusion, the overall physicochemical properties of the molecule change when compared with the corresponding peptide sequence that has not been modified, especially in terms of its lipophilicity and its susceptibility to enzymatic degradation.

Laboratory studies have likewise looked into its stability under controlled experimental conditions. It has been stated that P021 maintains considerable structural integrity in artificial gastric and intestinal fluid systems. Because of these properties, combined with its compact modified peptide structure, P021 has become the subject of research in the areas of peptide stability, molecular transport, biochemical signaling, and analytical chemistry.

04

Mechanism Under Investigation

The current laboratory studies have focused on P021 mainly in connection with the signaling systems linked to ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF), leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF), and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), as well as the downstream intracellular pathways.

Experimental studies that had been published showed that P021 was obtained from a short section of CNTF which had been identified as a result of research into biologically active peptide sequences. Later laboratory work reduced this section to the DGGL sequence before adding chemical modifications to the terminals in order to produce P021.

A mechanism which has been studied experimentally is that concerning LIF-associated signalling. Since LIF is a member of the IL-6 family of cytokines it takes part in intracellular signalling networks which involve receptor-associated proteins and transcriptional regulation. Experimental models using P021 have examined its interaction with this signalling environment, including the competitive modulation of LIF-associated processes.

BDNF transcription and expression are the subject of a second field of study. Changes in BDNF-associated transcription after experimental exposure to P021 have been investigated in cellular and molecular research. These studies offer a framework for examining connections between neurotrophin-associated molecular signaling and peptide structures produced from CNTF.

Experimental research has likewise looked at the downstream pathways which involve glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK-3β). Since GSK-3β is a serine/threonine kinase taking part in many intracellular signalling networks, including those cellular processes that are dependent on phosphorylation, P021 has been used in experimental studies to examine the relationships between neurotrophic signalling, kinase activity and the relevant molecular markers.

These mechanisms are still the subject of research in the laboratory and offer a biochemical basis for the study of the molecular interactions of this modified CNTF-derived peptidergic compound.

This summary reflects findings reported in published preclinical and in vitro research. The original studies supporting this information are listed in the references.

05

Experimental Research Areas

01

Peptide Chemistry

P021 has been studied as a chemically altered peptide derivative that has a non-standard adamantyl-containing structural component in addition to naturally occurring amino acid residues. Its sequence, molecular mass, terminal alterations, stability, and physicochemical characteristics have all been described through laboratory research.

02

Cellular Signalling

Experimental research has employed P021 in order to investigate the signaling networks related to the peptide sequences derived from CNTF and the cellular pathways associated with LIF. These studies concentrate on molecular interactions, signaling components and the downstream biochemical markers under controlled experimental conditions.

03

Neurotrophin-Associated Molecular Biology

Research into P021 has been carried out in experimental systems that look at the transcription and expression of BDNF. The present study looks at the relationships between modified sequences derived from CNTF and molecular signalling associated with neurotrophins.

04

Kinase and Phosphorylation Research

Laboratory studies have looked at P021 together with GSK-3β-associated signalling and molecular processes which are dependent on phosphorylation. These experimental systems offer a framework for investigating the relationships between peptide-associated signalling and intracellular kinase pathways.

05

Molecular Transport and Stability

Because of the structural modification of P021, experiments have been carried out to investigate its physicochemical stability, lipophilicity, and transport properties. Experimental studies have looked at its stability in biological fluid models and the effect of the adamantyl-containing modification on molecular behaviour.

06

Experimental Neuroscience

P021 has likewise been employed as a research compound in cellular and preclinical neuroscience models which look at neuronal differentiation, neurotrophic signaling, synaptic-associated molecular markers, and other biochemical processes.

06

Analytical Verification

The peptide known as P021 can be prepared by means of well-established methods of peptide synthesis; the peptide section is put together from specific amino acid units and the necessary terminal modifications are introduced during the course of the synthesis. One of the established methods for preparing short synthetic peptide sequences of this kind is solid-phase peptide synthesis (SPPS).

Reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) can be used to purify crude material after synthesis. The relative proportion of the primary P021 peak in relation to detected peptide-related contaminants can then be utilized to assess chromatographic purity using analytical HPLC.

Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) or other related mass spectrometric methods can be used to establish molecular identity by comparing the mass data obtained from experiment with the molecular mass which is expected for the compound; published research designated as P021 has particularly outlined the process of reverse-phase HPLC purification followed by mass-spectrometric sequence confirmation.

For supplied research material, analytical documentation should be evaluated on a batch-specific basis. The Certificate of Analysis should identify the relevant lot, analytical methods, compound identity and reported purity rather than relying solely on generic specifications.

Certificate of Analysis
Batch20260807039
MethodCOA 2026
Document Download PDF
HPLC
Batch20260807039
MethodHPLC 2026
Document Download PDF
07

Storage & Handling

Lyophilised P021 research material must be kept in a sealed container and stored under controlled cold-storage conditions, being protected from moisture, direct light and unnecessary temperature fluctuations. For the long-term preservation of lyophilised research material, a temperature of about 2–8°C is generally specified.

The number of freeze-thaw cycles should be kept to a minimum since repeated temperature changes may affect the stability of peptide-based materials, and containers should be allowed to reach equilibrium appropriately before being opened when necessary in order to reduce condensation and moisture exposure.

Where P021 is prepared in solution for laboratory analysis, appropriate solvent selection, concentration, storage temperature and stability limits should be established according to the analytical method, experimental requirements and batch documentation. Prepared solutions should be clearly labeled and handled in accordance with standard laboratory procedures.

Supplied As Lyophilized Powder in Vial
Storage Store at 2–8°C
Handling Reconstitution Required
08

Questions researchers ask

P-21, more usually referred to as P021 or Peptide 021, is a synthetic, modified peptidergic compound which has been derived from a short sequence linked to human ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF); its structure includes that of the DGGL peptide sequence as well as acetyl and adamantyl-containing modifications.

For research and laboratory use only. Not for human or animal consumption.

P-21 (P021) is supplied solely as a research material for qualified laboratory and analytical applications. Information provided on this page is limited to chemical identity, molecular characteristics, analytical verification, and areas described in experimental scientific literature. It is not intended to describe or imply any diagnostic, therapeutic, preventative, or other clinical application.

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P-21 Peptide from Peptide Works