Different Names, the Same Thing: Synonyms in Peptide Science

Have you ever been puzzled by the diversity of names in peptide science? It is assumed that each item has a unique name, and different names refer to different items, yet exceptions do exist when some turn out to be the same thing. Yes, they are synonyms, exactly. In most cases, such phenomenon could be really confusing, especially when you can’t clearly distinguish them.

As a lover for natural sciences, I have always been zealous about acquiring more knowledge in biochemistry. So it’s quite natural that I intend to contemplate more in response to encounter with such puzzles.

Here we just take acetyl glutamyl heptapeptide-3 as an example, which belongs to the cosmetic peptide category. Composed of anti-wrinkle active ingredients of polypeptide, it has become one of the most popular raw materials around the world for manufacturing anti-wrinkle cosmetics, sharing the same function of Areginine Essence. Just for this peptide - acetyl glutamyl heptapeptide-3, there are four synonyms for it, i.e. Snap 8, Acetyl GlutaMyl Octapeptide-3, Acetyl Octapeptide-1 and Acetyl Octapeptide-3. Among them, snap 8 is more commonly referred to due to the conciseness and simplicity, for outsiders or amateurs in particular, while other longer names are preferred by professionals.

Another example is ghk peptide, which is a naturally occurring copper complex of a glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine peptide. It can promote activation of wound healing, attraction of immune cells, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, stimulation of collagen and glycosaminoglycan synthesis in skin fibroblasts. For ghk peptide, there are also several synonyms: ghk-cu, copper peptide, copper glycyl-histidyl-lysine. This peptide falls into the category of cosmetic peptide as well and behaves well in tightening loose skin and improving skin elasticity, clarity and firmness as well as reducing fine lines and deep wrinkles.

Acetyl Hexapeptide-3, another representative of cosmetic peptide, even has more synonyms: Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Argirelin Acetate, Acetyl Hexapeptide, Argireline Acetateacetyl hexapeptide-8. Despite the fact, Acetyl Hexapeptide-3 is more often referred to as argireline to be used in cosmetic industry to combat skin problems causing by aging.

Next time when you see a new name, be careful: it might be certain peptide you’ve already known.

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