Cortistatin-8
Cortistatin-8
Cortistatin-8 is a synthetic peptide that acts as an antagonist of the cortistatin receptor. It is primarily used in research to study the physiological and pharmacological roles of cortistatin, a neuropeptide that shares structural similarities with somatostatin but has distinct biological functions.
Structure and Function[edit | edit source]
Cortistatin-8 is a modified peptide designed to selectively block the actions of cortistatin. Cortistatin itself is a cyclic neuropeptide that is encoded by the CORT gene in humans. It is known to interact with somatostatin receptors, particularly the SSTR2, but also has unique effects that are not shared by somatostatin.
Cortistatin-8 is used to differentiate the effects of cortistatin from those of somatostatin by selectively inhibiting cortistatin's action without affecting somatostatin. This makes it a valuable tool in neuroendocrinology and neuropharmacology research.
Biological Role of Cortistatin[edit | edit source]
Cortistatin is involved in a variety of physiological processes, including:
- Sleep Regulation: Cortistatin has been shown to promote slow-wave sleep, similar to somatostatin, but with additional effects on sleep architecture.
- Immune System Modulation: It has immunomodulatory effects, influencing the activity of immune cells and the production of cytokines.
- Neurotransmission: Cortistatin modulates neurotransmitter release and has been implicated in the regulation of neuronal excitability.
- Cardiovascular Effects: It can influence cardiovascular function, including blood pressure regulation.
Research Applications[edit | edit source]
Cortistatin-8 is used in experimental settings to:
- Dissect Cortistatin Pathways: By blocking cortistatin, researchers can study its specific pathways and distinguish them from those of somatostatin.
- Investigate Sleep Disorders: Understanding cortistatin's role in sleep can lead to new insights into sleep disorders and potential therapeutic targets.
- Explore Immune Function: The peptide is used to study cortistatin's effects on the immune system, which may have implications for autoimmune diseases and inflammation.
Synthesis and Availability[edit | edit source]
Cortistatin-8 is synthesized using standard peptide synthesis techniques. It is commercially available from various biochemical suppliers for research purposes.
Safety and Handling[edit | edit source]
As with all research chemicals, cortistatin-8 should be handled with care. Appropriate safety measures, including the use of personal protective equipment and adherence to institutional guidelines, should be followed.
Also see[edit | edit source]
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD