GLP-1 Receptor Agonist / Glucagon-like Peptide-1 Analog
Semaglutide Research Compound — GLP-1 Receptor Agonist
Semaglutide is a 31-amino acid glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist developed by Novo Nordisk as a long-acting GLP-1 analog with modifications engineered to resist DPP-4 degradation and extend half-life through albumin binding. It is widely used in metabolic biology research as a pharmacological probe for the GLP-1 receptor pathway.
Compound identity
- Name
- Semaglutide
- Class
- GLP-1 Receptor Agonist / Glucagon-like Peptide-1 Analog
- CAS number
- 910463-68-2
- Molecular formula
- C₁₈₇H₂₉₁N₄₅O₅₉
- Also known as
- GLP-1 analog, Ozempic peptide, semaglutide research compound
- Sequence
- 31-aa GLP-1 analog; Aib8 substitution (DPP-4 resistance); Arg34→Lys; C18 fatty diacid conjugated via OEG-OEG-γGlu linker to Lys26 (albumin binding); C-terminal amide; MW 4113.58 Da
Research context
Semaglutide (CAS 910463-68-2, MW 4113.58 Da, C₁₈₇H₂₉₁N₄₅O₅₉) is derived from the 30-amino acid native GLP-1(7-36) amide sequence with three key chemical modifications: (1) Aib (α-aminoisobutyric acid) substituted at position 8 instead of Ala, rendering the peptide resistant to DPP-4 (dipeptidyl peptidase-4) cleavage — which is the primary mechanism by which endogenous GLP-1 is rapidly degraded in plasma (half-life ~2 minutes); (2) Lys substituted at position 34 (replacing Arg) to provide a unique conjugation site; (3) a C18 fatty diacid (octadecanedioic acid) conjugated via a mini-PEG–γGlu–OEG–OEG linker to Lys26, enabling reversible, non-covalent albumin binding and extending the plasma half-life to approximately 7 days. GLP-1 receptor (GLP-1R) signaling through cAMP/PKA pathways stimulates glucose-dependent insulin secretion from pancreatic β-cells and suppresses glucagon from α-cells.
Research applications of semaglutide span several metabolic and neuroscience domains. In pancreatic biology, semaglutide is used as a GLP-1R agonist probe to study insulin secretion kinetics, β-cell survival (GLP-1R signaling activates pro-survival pathways including PI3K/Akt), and islet biology in rodent and cell-line models. In appetite and energy balance research, central GLP-1R signaling — particularly in the hypothalamus, nucleus tractus solitarius (NTS), and area postrema — has been extensively investigated using GLP-1R agonists including semaglutide. Preclinical research has also examined GLP-1R agonists in cardiovascular biology (GLP-1R expressed on cardiomyocytes and endothelium), fatty liver/NASH models, neurodegeneration (Parkinson's preclinical models), and renal protection. The SUSTAIN and STEP clinical trial programs with semaglutide generated substantial pharmacokinetic, pharmacodynamic, and mechanism-of-action data used as reference by the broader research community.
As a research reagent, semaglutide is used in GLP-1 receptor pharmacology, metabolic disease models, insulin secretion assays, β-cell biology, appetite regulation research, and cardiovascular/renal preclinical studies. DMV Research supplies semaglutide 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 semaglutide?+
Semaglutide (CAS 910463-68-2) is a synthetic 31-amino acid analog of GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) engineered for DPP-4 resistance (Aib8 substitution) and extended half-life (~7 days) via albumin binding through a C18 fatty diacid conjugate at Lys26. It is the active ingredient in Ozempic (subcutaneous, type 2 diabetes), Wegovy (subcutaneous, obesity), and Rybelsus (oral, type 2 diabetes). As a research compound, semaglutide is used as a GLP-1 receptor agonist probe in metabolic biology, insulin secretion, β-cell biology, appetite regulation, and cardiovascular research.
How does semaglutide differ from native GLP-1 and liraglutide?+
Native GLP-1(7-36)amide has a plasma half-life of approximately 2 minutes due to DPP-4 cleavage at Ala8 and renal clearance. Liraglutide (an earlier GLP-1 analog) introduced a C16 fatty acid conjugate and an Arg34Lys change, achieving ~13-hour half-life. Semaglutide extends this further with Aib8 (vs Ala8 in liraglutide), a C18 fatty diacid (vs C16 fatty acid), and a more optimized OEG linker — achieving ~7-day half-life with higher GLP-1R affinity than liraglutide. These structural refinements translate to differences in research dosing protocols and PK/PD modeling.
What is GLP-1 receptor signaling?+
The GLP-1 receptor (GLP-1R) is a class B GPCR expressed in pancreatic β-cells, gut, brain (hypothalamus, brainstem, hippocampus), heart, kidneys, and lungs. GLP-1R agonism activates adenylyl cyclase (raising cAMP), which stimulates PKA- and EPAC-mediated pathways: in β-cells, this potentiates glucose-stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS); in the CNS, it reduces food intake and slows gastric emptying. GLP-1R activation also promotes β-cell survival via PI3K/Akt and protects cardiomyocytes and renal glomeruli in preclinical models.
Is semaglutide a research-only compound at DMV Research?+
Yes. As supplied by DMV Research, semaglutide is a research compound for in-vitro and pre-clinical laboratory research use only — not for human consumption. While semaglutide is the active pharmaceutical ingredient in FDA-approved prescription medications (Ozempic, Wegovy, Rybelsus), pharmaceutical-grade drug products require a valid prescription and are dispensed through licensed pharmacies. DMV Research supplies research-grade semaglutide 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. Semaglutide is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Content is provided for laboratory research reference only.