The Definitive Peptide Research Reference Guide — Compound Review

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Metabolic Research
Research Purposes Only

GLP-2 T

GLP-2 Receptor Agonism & Intestinal Mucosal Growth

Teduglutide — Glucagon-Like Peptide-2 Analog

Research Purposes Only. GLP-2 T is supplied by Purgo Labs strictly for qualified laboratory research use only. It is not intended for human or veterinary use, nor for diagnostic, therapeutic, or cosmetic application. Statements on this page have not been evaluated by the FDA.
Overview

What is GLP-2 T?

Teduglutide (GLP-2 T) is a synthetic analog of glucagon-like peptide-2 (GLP-2), an intestinotrophic hormone produced by L-cells of the distal small intestine and colon. While GLP-1 and GLP-2 are both derived from the same proglucagon gene, they have entirely distinct receptor targets and physiological roles: GLP-2 acts specifically on the gastrointestinal tract to promote intestinal mucosal growth, enhance nutrient absorption, and maintain intestinal barrier integrity.

Teduglutide is FDA-approved under the brand name Gattex® for the treatment of Short Bowel Syndrome (SBS) in adults and pediatric patients, making it one of the few research peptides in this catalog with full regulatory approval and extensive human clinical data.

Composition

Molecular Composition

Amino Acid Sequence
His-Gly-Asp-Gly-Ser-Phe-Ser-Asp-Glu-Met-Asn-Thr-Ile-Leu-Asp-Asn-Leu-Ala-Ala-Arg-Asp-Phe-Ile-Asn-Trp-Leu-Ile-Gln-Thr-Lys-Ile-Thr-Asp-OH

Teduglutide is a 33-amino-acid peptide analog of native GLP-2, with a single amino acid substitution: Ala² → Gly. This substitution prevents DPP-IV cleavage at the His¹-Ala² bond, extending the half-life from approximately 7 minutes (native GLP-2) to approximately 1.3 hours (teduglutide). The molecular weight is 3,752.13 Daltons.

Mechanism of Action

How Does It Work?

Teduglutide acts as a potent agonist of the GLP-2 receptor (GLP-2R), a G-protein coupled receptor expressed primarily on subepithelial myofibroblasts, enteric neurons, and enteroendocrine cells in the gastrointestinal tract. GLP-2R activation stimulates the Gαs/adenylyl cyclase/cAMP pathway, triggering downstream effects that include stimulation of intestinal crypt cell proliferation, inhibition of enterocyte apoptosis, and increased intestinal blood flow.

The net effect is an increase in villus height and crypt depth — the structural determinants of intestinal absorptive capacity. Teduglutide also enhances intestinal barrier function by upregulating tight junction proteins, and may modulate gastric emptying and acid secretion through enteric nervous system effects.

"Teduglutide's targeted agonism of the GLP-2 receptor represents a significant advancement in fostering intestinal adaptation and enhancing nutrient absorption, offering a crucial therapeutic avenue for compromised gastrointestinal function." — Jeppesen et al., Gastroenterology, 2012
So What Does This Actually Mean?
Plain English summary — no PhD required

GLP-2 T (Teduglutide) is a stabilized analog of GLP-2, a hormone your gut produces that acts as a growth signal specifically for the intestinal lining. It's been FDA-approved since 2012 under the brand name Gattex® for short bowel syndrome — a condition where patients can't absorb enough nutrients because too much of their small intestine has been removed or is non-functional.

What It Does

GLP-2 T works by activating the GLP-2 receptor on intestinal cells, which triggers a cascade that increases the height of intestinal villi (the finger-like projections that absorb nutrients), stimulates new cell growth in the gut lining, and reduces intestinal cell death. The net effect is a larger, more functional absorptive surface area. In clinical trials, it significantly reduced the need for IV nutrition in short bowel syndrome patients.

Why It Matters

The gut lining is one of the fastest-renewing tissues in the body, and GLP-2 is one of its primary growth regulators. Beyond short bowel syndrome, researchers are studying GLP-2 analogs for inflammatory bowel disease, gut barrier function, and the gut-brain axis. The FDA approval of teduglutide provides a robust clinical foundation for this research area.

The Bottom Line

GLP-2 T (Teduglutide) is FDA-approved for short bowel syndrome, giving it one of the strongest clinical validation profiles in this catalog. The research-grade lyophilized powder supplied by Purgo Labs is for laboratory use only and differs from the clinical formulation. Its intestinotrophic mechanism makes it a key tool for gut biology research.

Signaling Pathways

Key Research Pathways

GLP-2R / cAMP Signaling

Activates GLP-2R on subepithelial myofibroblasts and enteric neurons, stimulating cAMP-mediated intestinal mucosal growth signals.

Intestinal Crypt Proliferation

Stimulates crypt cell proliferation and inhibits enterocyte apoptosis, increasing villus height and absorptive surface area.

Intestinal Barrier Enhancement

Upregulates tight junction proteins (claudin, occludin), strengthening the intestinal epithelial barrier against luminal antigens.

β-Catenin / Wnt Signaling

Activates β-catenin signaling pathway in intestinal epithelial cells, contributing to proliferative and survival effects.

Research Highlights

Key Findings from the Literature

  • FDA-approved (Gattex®) for Short Bowel Syndrome — only approved GLP-2 analog
  • Stimulates intestinal crypt cell proliferation and inhibits enterocyte apoptosis
  • Increases villus height and crypt depth, enhancing intestinal absorptive surface area
  • Reduces parenteral nutrition requirements in SBS patients in Phase III trials
  • Enhances intestinal barrier function via tight junction protein upregulation
  • Increases intestinal and portal blood flow through GLP-2R on enteric neurons
Researcher Notes

Important Research Context

Teduglutide has extensive Phase III clinical data from the STEPS trials, demonstrating significant reductions in parenteral nutrition requirements in SBS patients. The approved clinical formulation (Gattex®) is administered as a daily subcutaneous injection at 0.05 mg/kg. Researchers should note that GLP-2R is also expressed in bone and the CNS, and emerging research is investigating teduglutide's potential effects in these tissues.

GLP-2 T

Metabolic Research

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Technical Specifications

Peptide ClassGLP-2 analog (33 amino acids)
Molecular Weight3,752.13 Da
FDA ApprovalGattex® — Short Bowel Syndrome
Receptor TargetGLP-2 receptor (GLP-2R)
Key ModificationAla²→Gly substitution (DPP-IV resistance)
Available Sizes5mg vials
FormLyophilized powder
Purity≥99% (third-party tested)
Legal Status
Research Chemical

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Medical Disclaimer: All content on this site is for educational and research purposes only. Research peptides are not FDA-approved for human use. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before considering any peptide or supplement protocol. Nothing on this site constitutes medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.