GLP-1 Receptor Agonist / Glucagon-like Peptide-1 Analog
Liraglutide Research Compound — GLP-1 Receptor Agonist Analog
Liraglutide is a 31-amino acid GLP-1 receptor agonist developed by Novo Nordisk as the first long-acting GLP-1 analog to achieve once-daily dosing via albumin binding. It preceded semaglutide in the GLP-1 analog development timeline and remains widely used as a pharmacological tool and reference standard in GLP-1 receptor research, β-cell biology, and metabolic disease models.
Compound identity
- Name
- Liraglutide
- Class
- GLP-1 Receptor Agonist / Glucagon-like Peptide-1 Analog
- CAS number
- 204656-20-2
- Molecular formula
- C₁₇₂H₂₆₅N₄₃O₅₁
- Also known as
- Victoza peptide, GLP-1 analog liraglutide, NN2211, Saxenda peptide
- Sequence
- 31-aa GLP-1(7-37) analog; Arg34→Lys26 repositioned; C16 fatty acid (hexadecanoic acid) conjugated via Glu linker to Lys26; Gly8 → Ala8 intact (vs Aib in semaglutide); MW 3751.20 Da; half-life ~13h via albumin binding
Research context
Liraglutide (CAS 204656-20-2, MW 3751.20 Da, C₁₇₂H₂₆₅N₄₃O₅₁) is a synthetic 31-amino acid GLP-1 analog derived from native GLP-1(7-37) with two structural modifications that confer its pharmacological profile: (1) a Lys26→Arg26 repositioning (Arg34→Lys) creates a unique lysine at position 26 (K26) that serves as the fatty acid attachment site; (2) a C16 fatty acid (hexadecanoic acid/palmitic acid) is conjugated to K26 via a glutamic acid (Glu) spacer — the fatty acid enables reversible, non-covalent albumin binding, extending plasma half-life from GLP-1's ~2 minutes to approximately 13 hours. Unlike semaglutide, liraglutide retains Ala8 rather than Aib8, making it partially susceptible to DPP-4 cleavage, but the albumin binding substantially slows clearance. Liraglutide acts at the GLP-1 receptor (a class B GPCR) in pancreatic β-cells, hypothalamus, brainstem, heart, kidneys, and other tissues, signaling through cAMP/PKA pathways to potentiate glucose-dependent insulin secretion, suppress glucagon, and reduce appetite.
As a research tool, liraglutide has been extensively characterized across multiple domains. In pancreatic β-cell biology, liraglutide is used to study GSIS (glucose-stimulated insulin secretion) potentiation, cAMP signaling, β-cell proliferation (GLP-1R agonism activates pro-mitotic signaling via EPAC2/PKA), and β-cell survival under glucolipotoxicity conditions. In obesity and appetite regulation, liraglutide research has focused on central GLP-1R signaling in hypothalamic arcuate nucleus (ARC), dorsomedial hypothalamus (DMH), and brainstem NTS circuits — reducing food intake and regulating energy homeostasis. Liraglutide has also been studied in cardiovascular biology (LEADER trial mechanism-of-action research), non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NASH) models (LEAN trial), renal protection, and neurodegeneration (Parkinson's disease: LIXIPARK and NLIPD phase 2 trials used liraglutide as a neuroprotective GLP-1R agonist probe). As the chronologically earlier GLP-1 analog, liraglutide serves as the pharmacological reference standard against which semaglutide, tirzepatide, and other GLP-1-axis compounds are compared.
As a research reagent, liraglutide is used in GLP-1R pharmacology, β-cell biology, appetite/energy balance research, cardiovascular and renal preclinical studies, neurodegeneration models, and as a comparator in GLP-1 axis drug-discovery programs. DMV Research supplies liraglutide as a lyophilized compound with per-batch Certificate of Analysis confirming identity by mass spectrometry and purity ≥99% by HPLC.
Frequently asked questions
What is liraglutide?+
Liraglutide (CAS 204656-20-2) is a synthetic 31-amino acid GLP-1 receptor agonist — an analog of native GLP-1(7-37) with a C16 fatty acid conjugate at Lys26 (via a Glu linker) that enables albumin binding and a ~13-hour plasma half-life. It is the active ingredient in Victoza (type 2 diabetes) and Saxenda (obesity). As a research compound, liraglutide is used as a GLP-1R agonist probe in metabolic biology, β-cell biology, appetite regulation, cardiovascular research, and neurodegeneration models. It is the chronological predecessor to semaglutide and the pharmacological reference standard for the GLP-1 analog class.
How does liraglutide compare to semaglutide?+
Liraglutide and semaglutide are both GLP-1R monoagonists but differ in fatty acid chain length, linker chemistry, and DPP-4 resistance. Liraglutide: C16 fatty acid (palmitic acid) conjugated via Glu linker to Lys26, retains Ala8 (partial DPP-4 susceptibility), ~13h half-life, once-daily dosing. Semaglutide: C18 fatty diacid conjugated via a longer OEG-OEG-γGlu linker to Lys26, Aib8 substitution (full DPP-4 resistance), ~7-day half-life, once-weekly dosing. In clinical research, semaglutide demonstrated superior HbA1c and weight-loss outcomes at equivalent doses vs liraglutide (SUSTAIN 4 head-to-head). In research applications, the two serve complementary roles — liraglutide as the established reference standard with decades of mechanistic data; semaglutide for longer PK window in preclinical models.
What GLP-1 receptor signaling pathways does liraglutide activate?+
GLP-1R is a class B GPCR (glucagon-like peptide receptor) primarily signaling through Gαs → adenylyl cyclase → cAMP elevation → PKA activation and EPAC2 activation. In pancreatic β-cells: cAMP/PKA potentiates KATP channel closure and calcium influx to enhance GSIS; EPAC2 activates Rap1 → Ras → ERK signaling contributing to β-cell proliferation. GLP-1R also signals through β-arrestin-dependent pathways (receptor internalization). Central GLP-1R (hypothalamus, brainstem) uses cAMP to reduce food intake. Cardiovascular GLP-1R activates PI3K/Akt in cardiomyocytes (cardioprotection) and eNOS in endothelium. Research into GLP-1R signaling bias (G-protein vs β-arrestin preference) uses liraglutide as the reference agonist.
Is liraglutide a research-only compound at DMV Research?+
Yes. As supplied by DMV Research, liraglutide is a research compound for in-vitro and pre-clinical laboratory research use only — not for human consumption. Liraglutide is the active pharmaceutical ingredient in FDA-approved prescription medications (Victoza, Saxenda) that require a valid prescription and are dispensed through licensed pharmacies. DMV Research supplies research-grade liraglutide solely for laboratory research purposes.
Research use only
All products are intended for laboratory and research use only (RUO) and are not for human consumption, ingestion, or any in-vivo use.
The statements on this page have not been evaluated by the FDA. Liraglutide is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Content is provided for laboratory research reference only.