GLP-2T (Teduglutide): Chemistry Profile & Research Overview

What Is GLP-2T?

GLP-2T is a synthetic 33-amino-acid peptide assigned CAS number 197922-42-2, also known by the chemical name teduglutide and the development code ALX-0600. It is an analog of glucagon-like peptide-2 (GLP-2), an endogenous mammalian peptide encoded within the proglucagon gene. Structurally, GLP-2T differs from native GLP-2 by a single substitution at position 2 — an alanine residue is replaced with glycine (Gly-2) — yielding the systematic descriptor [Gly2]-GLP-2(1-33). This single substitution confers resistance to N-terminal cleavage by dipeptidyl peptidase-IV (DPP-IV), a serine protease that rapidly inactivates the native peptide. As a research-grade synthetic peptide, GLP-2T is widely used in vitro and in non-human systems as a model substrate in peptide-stability research, in solid-phase peptide synthesis (SPPS) methodology studies, and as a tool compound in receptor-ligand binding characterization.

Chemical Properties

Historical Development and Discovery

The GLP-2T sequence was first characterized in the late 1990s as part of a structure-activity research program investigating analogs of glucagon-like peptide-2. Native GLP-2 had been identified as a proglucagon-derived 33-residue peptide secreted from intestinal L-cells, but its very short plasma half-life in research models — driven by rapid N-terminal cleavage at the Ala-2–Asp-3 bond by DPP-IV — limited its experimental utility. Investigators at NPS Pharmaceuticals (later acquired by Shire) systematically substituted residues at the DPP-IV recognition site and identified [Gly2]-GLP-2 as the analog with the most favorable enzymatic stability profile while retaining receptor binding affinity. The compound entered the chemical literature under the development code ALX-0600 and the INN teduglutide. It has since become a standard reference compound in peptide methodology research.

Chemical Architecture and Structural Features

The Gly-2 Substitution and DPP-IV Resistance

The defining structural feature of GLP-2T is the single-residue substitution at position 2: native GLP-2 carries an alanine at this position, which is recognized by DPP-IV as the second residue of an X-Pro or X-Ala dipeptide motif. Replacement with glycine — the smallest proteinogenic amino acid — alters the steric and electronic environment of the scissile bond sufficiently to abolish DPP-IV cleavage in standard in vitro assays. Glycine substitution at residue 2 is a well-established strategy in incretin-peptide medicinal chemistry research and is also used in GLP-1 analogs.

Solid-Phase Synthesis Considerations

GLP-2T is typically produced by Fmoc-based solid-phase peptide synthesis (SPPS) followed by RP-HPLC purification. The 33-residue length, single methionine, and absence of cysteine residues simplify the synthesis relative to disulfide-containing peptides. Common challenges discussed in the synthesis literature include aspartimide formation at the multiple Asp-Gly junctions and methionine oxidation during cleavage, both of which are addressed through standard protecting-group and scavenger strategies.

Receptor and Sequence Context

The native GLP-2 receptor is a class-B G-protein-coupled receptor (GPCR), and GLP-2T retains binding affinity for this receptor in published in vitro assays. The N-terminal histidine and the conserved residues required for receptor engagement are preserved in the analog.

Research Mechanisms

In published in vitro and non-human research, GLP-2T has been characterized as a receptor agonist at the GLP-2 receptor with substantially extended biochemical half-life relative to native GLP-2 in DPP-IV-containing matrices. This profile makes it a useful comparator in pharmacology screens of synthetic peptides, in receptor-binding methodology research, and in protease-stability studies of peptide drug candidates. ITide Labs supplies GLP-2T as a research-grade reference standard for these applications.

Research Areas

• Peptide-stability and protease-resistance methodology research
• Solid-phase peptide synthesis and aspartimide-suppression studies
• Receptor-binding and class-B GPCR pharmacology research
• Reference standard in analytical method development (HPLC, mass spectrometry)
• Comparative structure-activity research on the proglucagon peptide family

Quality Assurance

ITide Labs releases each lot of GLP-2T against an independent third-party Certificate of Analysis. Lot-specific COAs are published on the corresponding product page once analysis is complete. Identity is confirmed by HPLC-MS, purity by RP-HPLC-UV, and endotoxin levels by kinetic chromogenic LAL assay. Lyophilized material is stored at 2–8 °C protected from light and is supplied with batch-specific documentation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the CAS number for GLP-2T?

The CAS number for GLP-2T (teduglutide) is 197922-42-2.

What is the molecular weight of GLP-2T?

The monoisotopic molecular weight of GLP-2T is 3752.13 g/mol. The empirical formula is C₁₆₄H₂₅₂N₄₄O₅₅S.

What is the amino acid sequence of GLP-2T?

The single-letter sequence of GLP-2T is HGDGSFSDEMNTILDNLAARDFINWLIQTKITD — a 33-residue peptide bearing a glycine substitution at position 2.

How does GLP-2T differ from native GLP-2?

GLP-2T differs from native human GLP-2 by a single substitution at position 2: alanine is replaced with glycine ([Gly2]-GLP-2). This substitution confers resistance to DPP-IV cleavage while preserving receptor binding affinity in published in vitro research assays.

What is the development code for GLP-2T?

GLP-2T was originally developed under the code ALX-0600 by NPS Pharmaceuticals. The INN is teduglutide.

Why is GLP-2T used in research?

GLP-2T is used as a reference standard in peptide methodology research, in protease-stability assays, in receptor-binding studies on the class-B GPCR family, and as a model compound in solid-phase peptide synthesis characterization.

What laboratory storage does GLP-2T require?

Lyophilized GLP-2T should be stored at 2–8 °C protected from light for short-term storage and at –20 °C for long-term storage. Reconstituted solutions should be aliquoted and stored frozen.

Is GLP-2T available in different sizes from ITide Labs?

ITide Labs supplies GLP-2T as a 60 mg lyophilized lot. Lot-specific Certificates of Analysis are published on the product page once independent third-party characterization is complete.

Citation

ITide Labs. GLP-2T (Teduglutide): Chemistry Profile and Research Overview. Las Vegas, NV: ITide Labs LLC; 2026.