Dermorphin is a cognitive & neuro research compound currently in stock directly from a verified Chinese manufacturer. Every batch is tested by the manufacturer for purity and concentration as part of routine quality control. Sourcing is direct — no intermediaries. Minimum order value is $600 USD. International shipping available.
Dermorphin is a naturally occurring heptapeptide first isolated from the skin of South American tree frogs of the genus Phyllomedusa (particularly P. sauvagii) in 1981. Its sequence — H-Tyr-D-Ala-Phe-Gly-Tyr-Pro-Ser-NH₂ — contains a D-alanine at position 2, which is unusual among endogenous vertebrate peptides and is critical for μ-opioid receptor (MOR) selectivity and metabolic stability. Dermorphin has approximately 30-fold higher affinity for MOR than β-endorphin and is one of the highest-affinity endogenous-like MOR agonists known, making it a valuable pharmacological tool in opioid receptor research.
Research applications for dermorphin center on opioid receptor biology. As a selective, high-affinity MOR agonist, it is used as a reference ligand in competition binding assays, receptor internalization studies, and G protein versus β-arrestin signaling research. Dermorphin's D-amino acid-conferred resistance to enzymatic degradation makes it more stable in biological media than most endogenous opioid peptides, extending its utility in in vivo receptor pharmacology experiments. Its exceptional MOR affinity and selectivity distinguish it from endorphins and enkephalins, which exhibit broader receptor promiscuity.
PeptidesFromChina.co supplies dermorphin as a lyophilized powder at 99%+ purity, verified by HPLC and Mass Spectrometry. Every batch is tested by the manufacturer for purity and concentration as part of routine quality control. All products are for laboratory research use only and are not for human consumption.
| Chemical Class | D-amino acid containing heptapeptide; μ-opioid receptor agonist |
|---|---|
| Synonyms | Dermorphin, [D-Ala²]-dermorphin |
| Sequence | H-Tyr-D-Ala-Phe-Gly-Tyr-Pro-Ser-NH₂ |
| Amino Acids | 7 |
| Molecular Weight | 802.9 Da |
| CAS Number | 77614-16-5 |
| Receptor Target | μ-opioid receptor (MOR) — high affinity, selective |
| Research Areas | Opioid receptor pharmacology, MOR binding assays, pain research, β-arrestin signaling, receptor internalization |
| Form | Lyophilized powder |
| Storage | −20°C long-term; 2-8°C aqueous (use within 2 weeks) |
| Molecular Formula | C₄₀H₅₁N₇O₁₀ |
| Name | Strength | Pack Size | Purity | Availability | Price (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dermorphin | 5 mg | 10 vials | ≥98% | In Stock | $44.00 |
Testing method: HPLC / LC-MS. Every batch is tested before shipment. Purity ≥99% confirmed per batch.
Every batch is tested by the manufacturer for purity and concentration as part of routine quality control, using methods such as HPLC and LC-MS. These results are kept in the manufacturer's internal quality-control records and are not issued as a separate certificate or document.
Dermorphin is a reference MOR ligand in opioid receptor research due to its exceptional selectivity and affinity. It is used in radioligand competition binding assays, functional assays (GTPγS binding, cAMP inhibition), and receptor internalization studies as a high-affinity MOR reference. Its D-Ala² modification provides proteolytic resistance not present in endogenous opioids, extending its half-life in tissue homogenates and in vivo — an important practical advantage in pharmacological studies.
As a potent MOR agonist, dermorphin is used in analgesic research in rodent nociception models (tail-flick, hot-plate, formalin, writhing tests). Its high MOR affinity and selectivity make it a useful tool for establishing MOR-specific antinociception baselines and for comparing MOR versus KOR/DOR contributions to pain modulation. It is also used in central versus peripheral opioid distribution studies due to its ability to cross the blood-brain barrier.
Dermorphin is used in studies examining biased agonism at MOR — the concept that different MOR ligands preferentially activate G protein-coupled signaling (antinociception) versus β-arrestin-mediated signaling (receptor internalization, tolerance). Dermorphin serves as a reference full agonist in these assays, providing a G protein and β-arrestin baseline against which biased compounds are compared.
The D-alanine at position 2 is essential for dermorphin's MOR selectivity and its resistance to enzymatic degradation by aminopeptidases. Most mammalian proteases act on L-amino acid bonds — the D-configuration at position 2 interrupts this recognition. The D-Ala² is also required for μ-receptor binding geometry; L-Ala² substitution dramatically reduces affinity. This makes dermorphin a model compound for studying D-amino acid pharmacology in natural peptides.
Both are high-affinity MOR agonists used as reference compounds. DAMGO ([D-Ala², N-MePhe⁴, Gly-ol]-enkephalin) is fully synthetic and widely used in in vitro MOR assays. Dermorphin is a naturally occurring peptide with similar MOR affinity. DAMGO is more commonly used in cell-based assays; dermorphin has broader use in in vivo rodent analgesic models due to its CNS penetration profile.
Dermorphin is synthesized to 99%+ purity, verified by HPLC and Mass Spectrometry. Every batch is tested by the manufacturer for purity and concentration as part of routine quality control.
Lyophilized dermorphin should be stored at −20°C, protected from moisture and light. Aqueous solutions should be kept at 2-8°C and used within 2 weeks.
For laboratory research use only. Not for human or veterinary use. PeptidesFromChina.co is a B2B wholesale supplier operating under strict research-use-only terms. All products are sold exclusively for in vitro and preclinical research purposes.