Synthetic Peptide Development for Stroke

Peptides offer new hope for the development of novel therapies against stroke. As intrinsic signaling molecules in normal cellular function, natural peptides or their mimetics are important substances for the physiological regulation of organs or cells. At the same time, they provide the specificity to develop drugs for specific functions. In addition, short, well-defined neuropeptide sequences can be used or modified directly during drug synthesis, reducing the need for further structural optimization for function. Scientists are actively developing synthetic peptides that mimic natural regulatory peptides and hormones (e.g., dynorphin A (1-8) peptide, NX210, glucagon-like peptide-1) that have the potential to improve stroke outcomes.

Fig. 1. Evolution of peptide signaling and information transfer in metazoans. (Oller-Salvia et al., 2016)

Our Synthetic Peptide Development Services

Ace Therapeutics can help academic institutions or pharmaceutical companies in the field of stroke to develop synthetic peptides that mimic natural regulatory peptides and hormones with smaller size, longer half-life for elimination from the bloodstream, and greater metabolic stability. Our team consists of experts from various scientific disciplines, including biology, chemistry, and pharmacology, providing one-stop synthetic peptide development services.

Design and Optimization of Synthetic Peptides

Rational Design

• Identify key peptide sequences involved in stroke-related biological processes, such as neuroprotection, angiogenesis, or anti-inflammatory mechanisms.
• Use computational modeling and bioinformatics tools to design peptides that can target specific receptors or proteins.
• Combine specific amino acid sequences or structural motifs to enhance potency, stability or selectivity.

Combinatorial Approaches

• Generate peptide libraries with random or partially random sequences.
• Screen peptides with desired biological activity from the library using high-throughput techniques such as phage display or cell-based assays.
• Optimize lead peptides through iterative design and screening.

Efficacy Evaluation of Synthetic Peptides

We can test the neuroprotective and neuroregenerative properties of synthetic peptides in experimental models of stroke.

• We use neuronal cell lines to assess neuroprotection by H₂O₂ toxicity resistance testing and to measure cell viability by metabolic activity.
• We use neurofilament immunostaining to assess white matter regeneration and explore axonal regeneration by dorsal hemisection and insertion of collagen tubes in animal models of stroke.
• We provide enriched animal models of stroke to assess functional recovery by BBB injury testing and behavioral testing.

Our Synthetic Peptide Development Methods

• We offer solid phase peptide synthesis (SPPS) methods, which allow the synthesis of peptides with well-defined sequences and modifications such as D-amino acids, unnatural amino acids, or site-specific tags.
• We use recombinant DNA technology to expresses the peptide of interest as a fusion protein in bacterial, yeast, or mammalian cell systems.
• We can join two unprotected peptide fragments together by chemoselective reactions. Longer, more complex peptides can be synthesized by assembling smaller, more manageable fragments.
• We use mass spectrometry, high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy to rigorously characterize synthesized peptides, ensuring structural integrity and purity.

Ace Therapeutics' advanced peptide synthesis facilities and high-throughput screening platforms help clients efficiently conduct synthetic peptide development activities. Ace Therapeutics is an ideal partner for stroke drug development. If you are interested in our services, please do not hesitate to contact us!

1. Lovejoy, D. A., et al. (2019). Synthetic peptides as therapeutic agents: lessons learned from evolutionary ancient peptides and their transit across blood-brain barriers. Frontiers in Endocrinology, 10, 730.