BPC-157 10mg

BPC-157 (Body Protection Compound-157, CAS 137525-51-0) is a synthetic pentadecapeptide consisting of 15 amino acids with the sequence Gly-Glu-Pro-Pro-Pro-Gly-Lys-Pro-Ala-Asp-Asp-Ala-Gly-Leu-Val (GEPPPGKPADDAGLV). It has a molecular formula of C₆₂H₉₈N₁₆O₂₂ and a molecular weight of 1,419.53 Da (free base peptide backbone). The compound is a partial sequence derived from a larger protein identified in human gastric secretion studies and is freely soluble in water at physiological pH without requiring carrier molecules.

A distinguishing characteristic of BPC-157 is its remarkable stability in gastric juice, remaining structurally intact for over 24 hours of incubation, a property highly unusual for a peptide of this size. This resistance to acid-protease degradation is attributed to the proline-rich core of the sequence, which confers conformational rigidity. Commercial forms may differ in total molecular weight depending on the counterion salt (trifluoroacetate adds approximately 228 Da; acetate and arginine salts differ accordingly), though the peptide backbone remains constant at 1,419.53 Da.

BPC-157 engages multiple intracellular signaling cascades as characterized in cell-based assays. It activates the Akt-endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) pathway, increasing nitric oxide (NO) production. A VEGF-independent pathway for NO generation has been identified through Src kinase phosphorylation, which activates caveolin-1 and releases eNOS from its inhibitory complex. BPC-157 upregulates vascular endothelial growth factor-alpha (VEGF-a) expression at both mRNA and protein levels, confirmed by RT-PCR and Western blot. It activates the focal adhesion kinase (FAK)-paxillin signaling cascade, critical for cell adhesion and extracellular matrix reorganization. Additionally, it enhances phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1/2 (ERK1/2) in a concentration-dependent manner, with downstream activation of transcription factors c-Fos, c-Jun, and Egr-1.

Supplied as a lyophilized powder for in vitro research applications only. Not for human or veterinary use.

In Vitro Research Applications: BPC-157 has been extensively characterized in cell-based assay systems. The landmark study by Huang et al. (2015) employed HUVEC (human umbilical vein endothelial cells), NIH/3T3 (fibroblasts), and HaCaT (keratinocytes) cell lines. At concentrations of 1-10 micrograms/mL, BPC-157 significantly increased HUVEC proliferation in a concentration-dependent manner (MTT assay, 48-hour incubation, P<0.05), while notably not promoting NIH/3T3 or HaCaT proliferation. Transwell migration assays and scratch wound healing assays demonstrated concentration-dependent promotion of HUVEC migration across 12-hour intervals. Matrigel-based tube formation assays showed increased capillary-like structure formation at all tested concentrations.

Signaling Pathway Studies: Downstream pathway analysis reveals ERK1/2 MAPK pathway dependence. The ERK-specific inhibitor PD98059 (10 micromolar) significantly suppressed BPC-157-induced proliferation, migration, and tube formation in HUVEC cultures, establishing ERK1/2 as a required signaling node. Additional pathway interrogation includes phospho-Akt Western blotting for eNOS pathway activation, VEGFR2 phosphorylation assays in endothelial cell models, and FAK-paxillin co-immunoprecipitation studies for focal adhesion complex characterization.

Molecular Characterization: Identity verification is performed via ESI-MS or MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry (expected MW 1,419.53 Da free base). Purity is assessed by reversed-phase HPLC. The peptide sequence can be confirmed by tandem MS/MS fragmentation. Gastric juice stability can be evaluated by incubation in simulated gastric fluid (SGF, pH 1.2 with pepsin) with time-course HPLC analysis. Solubility characterization in aqueous buffers across the physiological pH range is performed by UV spectrophotometry.

References

1. Huang T, et al. (2015) Body protective compound-157 enhances alkali-burn wound healing in vivo and promotes proliferation, migration, and angiogenesis in vitro. Drug Des Devel Ther, 9:2485-2499. PMID: 25995620
2. Seiwerth S, et al. (2018) BPC 157 and standard angiogenic growth factors: gastrointestinal tract healing, lessons from tendon, ligament, muscle and bone healing. Curr Pharm Des, 24(18):1972-1989. PMID: 29998800
3. Sikiric P, et al. (2020) Stable gastric pentadecapeptide BPC 157: Robert’s stomach cytoprotection/adaptive cytoprotection/organoprotection and Selye’s stress coping response. Gut Liver, 14(2):153-167. PMID: 31158953