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A terminally modified analog of the ACTH(4-7)-derived heptapeptide Semax, with N-acetylation and C-amidation intended to increase stability, investigated for BDNF/TrkB pathway modulation and neuroplasticity in preclinical research.
N-Acetyl Semax Amidate (NA-Semax Amidate) is a modified analog of Semax, a synthetic heptapeptide derived from the ACTH(4-7) fragment (Met-Glu-His-Phe) extended at the C-terminus with a Pro-Gly-Pro stabilizing sequence. The core sequence Met-Glu-His-Phe-Pro-Gly-Pro (MEHFPGP) is identical to that of Semax.
What distinguishes this analog are two terminal modifications: acetylation at the N-terminus and amidation at the C-terminus (Ac-MEHFPGP-NH2). PubChem lists it under CID 172638603 with molecular formula C39H54N10O10S and a molecular weight of about 855 g/mol.
The terminal modifications are described in the literature as reducing susceptibility to exopeptidases and altering the peptide's net charge and stability profile. All information here is from preclinical research and product reference material and is provided for research and reference use only.
Based on its preserved MEHFPGP core, NA-Semax Amidate is investigated as an ACTH(4-7) analog acting on the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) / TrkB signaling pathway. Parent-compound Semax research reports increased hippocampal BDNF and NGF expression and enhanced TrkB receptor activity, associated with neuroplasticity and neuroprotection in animal models.
The N-acetyl and C-amide modifications are proposed to slow enzymatic degradation, which researchers hypothesize could extend or amplify neurotrophin-pathway activation relative to unmodified Semax. Direct comparative data for the modified analog remain limited to preclinical and product-characterization contexts.
Semax BDNF/NGF expression studies (Dolotov, Shadrina et al.): Reported that the parent peptide Semax increased BDNF and TrkB expression in the rat hippocampus, providing the mechanistic basis extended to the acetylated/amidated analog. Reported for reference only.
Semax neuroprotection in ischemia models: Animal studies of the Semax family reported neuroprotective and neurotrophic effects in cerebral ischemia paradigms. Described for information only; any dosing figures are experimental parameters, not recommendations.
Terminal-modification characterization: Peptide-chemistry literature and product characterization describe how N-acetylation and C-amidation reduce exopeptidase degradation of ACTH-derived peptides. This is reporting on stability properties, not a usage protocol.
Combinations examined in the research literature. Descriptive only — not a recommendation to combine compounds.
References are being compiled for this entry.