Oxytocin Acetate (Cyclic Peptide)

High Purity Neuropeptide | Batch Verified

Oxytocin Acetate is a synthetic version of the naturally occurring mammalian hormone oxytocin. This high-purity neuropeptide is intended for research and laboratory use only. It is a cyclic nonapeptide recognized for its potent agonistic activity toward the Oxytocin Receptor (OXTR).

The product is rigorously tested to ensure high purity and consistency across all batches, making it a reliable tool for advanced biochemical and physiological research.

Description

Oxytocin Acetate is a synthetic nonapeptide agonist of the Oxytocin Receptor (OXTR), a G-protein coupled receptor. As a key neuropeptide, it has been extensively investigated for its critical roles in mammalian physiology, including:

• Social Behavior: Modulating trust, bonding, recognition, and social memory.
• Smooth Muscle Contraction: Particularly in the uterus (parturition) and mammary glands (milk ejection reflex).
• Stress Regulation: Influencing the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and contributing to anxiolytic effects.
• Cardiovascular Function: Affecting blood pressure and heart rate.

This product is provided as a lyophilized powder, suitable for reconstitution in aqueous solutions for various in vitro and in vivo studies.

Product Specifications

Oxytocin Acetate exhibits the following physical and biochemical properties essential for its application in research:

Purity

>98% (HPLC)

Form

Crystalline Powder

Formula

$\text{C}{43}\text{H}{66}\text{N}{12}\text{O}{12}\text{S}_2 \cdot x \text{CH}_3\text{COOH}$

Molecular Weight

1007.19 g/mol (free base)

Source

Synthetic

Target

OXTR (G-Protein Coupled Receptor)

Solubility

Soluble in water, acidic buffers

Storage and Handling Protocol

Proper storage is crucial to maintain the integrity and bioactivity of Oxytocin Acetate. Researchers must adhere to the following guidelines for maximum shelf life and reliable experimental results.

Shipping

• Condition: Ambient temperature shipping is standard for the lyophilized powder due to its stability in this form. Upon receipt, immediate transfer to appropriate long-term storage conditions is required.

Handling Instructions

1. Reconstitution: Allow the vial to warm to room temperature before opening. Reconstitute the powder in sterile, deionized water or an appropriate buffer.
2. Aliquotting: For prolonged usage, it is highly recommended to prepare single-use aliquots of the stock solution. This prevents repeated warming and cooling, which can compromise peptide integrity.
3. Aseptic Technique: Always handle the peptide under sterile conditions to prevent microbial contamination, especially when preparing solutions for cell culture or in vivo administration.
4. Avoid Light: Protect the material, especially reconstituted solutions, from prolonged exposure to strong light.

Mechanism of Action

Oxytocin Acetate functions as a full agonist at the Oxytocin Receptor (OXTR). The OXTR is a Class A G-protein coupled receptor (GPCR) primarily coupled to the $\text{G}_{\alpha q/11}$ pathway.

Binding of Oxytocin Acetate to the OXTR initiates the following intracellular signaling cascade:

1. Receptor Activation: Oxytocin Acetate binds to the extracellular domain of the OXTR.
2. G-Protein Activation: This binding causes a conformational change in the receptor, leading to the activation of the $\text{G}_{\alpha q/11}$ subunit.
3. Second Messenger Generation: Activated $\text{G}_{\alpha q/11}$ stimulates phospholipase C (PLC).
4. Signal Propagation: PLC hydrolyzes phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate ($\text{PIP}_2$) into inositol triphosphate ($\text{IP}_3$) and diacylglycerol (DAG).
5. Calcium Release: $\text{IP}_3$ triggers the release of intracellular $\text{Ca}^{2+}$ from the endoplasmic reticulum, which is the primary mechanism for smooth muscle contraction and other physiological effects.

Structure

Oxytocin is a classic example of a cyclic nonapeptide, characterized by a disulfide bridge between two cysteine residues. This bridge forms a 6-amino acid ring structure that is crucial for its biological activity.

Safety and Regulatory Information

Warning: For Research Use Only. Not for human or therapeutic use.

• Safety Data Sheet (SDS): A comprehensive SDS for Oxytocin Acetate is available upon request or via the product website. This document contains detailed information on hazards, safe handling, personal protective equipment (PPE), and disposal protocols.
• Disposal: Dispose of material in accordance with local, state, and federal regulations.
• Emergency Contact: In case of accidental exposure or spill, refer to the SDS and contact emergency services.

Recommended Research Applications

The high purity and batch consistency of this Oxytocin Acetate product make it ideal for a variety of demanding research applications:

• Receptor Binding Studies: Determining binding kinetics and affinity for the OXTR.
• Functional Assays: Measuring $\text{Ca}^{2+}$ mobilization, $\text{IP}_3$ turnover, and smooth muscle contraction in tissue or cell culture models.
• Behavioral Pharmacology: In vivo studies investigating its role in social recognition, anxiety, and aggression models.
• Neuroscience Research: Exploring its mechanism of action in specific brain regions (e.g., hypothalamus, amygdala) involved in social cognition and emotion.
• Drug Development: As a reference standard or positive control in the development of novel OXTR agonists or antagonists.

Resources and Documentation

To facilitate your research, the following resources are available:

• Certificate of Analysis (CoA): Detailed batch-specific analysis confirming purity and identity.
• Protocol Guide: Recommended procedures for reconstitution and stock solution preparation.
• Product Catalog: Comprehensive list of related neuropeptides and reagents.

Please refer to the following file for further technical details: File