BPC-157 is a synthetic peptide composed of 15 amino acids arranged in a specific sequence. Its molecular structure, chemical formula and molecular weight are well documented, making it possible to identify the compound using established chemical reference data.
For researchers working with synthetic peptides, understanding these fundamental characteristics provides a useful foundation for interpreting analytical results, reviewing scientific publications and distinguishing one peptide from another.
This guide explores the BPC-157 amino acid sequence, molecular composition, structural characteristics and laboratory identification methods.
What Is the Amino Acid Sequence of BPC-157?
BPC-157 is classified as a pentadecapeptide, meaning it contains 15 amino acid residues.
Its recognised amino acid sequence is:
GEPPPGKPADDAGLV
Each letter represents a specific amino acid, with the sequence written from the N-terminus to the C-terminus.
The full sequence is:
Gly-Glu-Pro-Pro-Pro-Gly-Lys-Pro-Ala-Asp-Asp-Ala-Gly-Leu-Val
This sequence is recorded in PubChem under Compound ID 9941957.
Unlike a general peptide category, BPC-157 refers to a particular arrangement of amino acids.
The identity of the compound therefore depends on both the amino acids present and their order within the peptide chain.
BPC-157 Amino Acid Breakdown
BPC-157 contains eight different types of amino acids distributed across its 15-residue sequence.
| Position | Amino acid | Three-letter code | One-letter code |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Glycine | Gly | G |
| 2 | Glutamic acid | Glu | E |
| 3 | Proline | Pro | P |
| 4 | Proline | Pro | P |
| 5 | Proline | Pro | P |
| 6 | Glycine | Gly | G |
| 7 | Lysine | Lys | K |
| 8 | Proline | Pro | P |
| 9 | Alanine | Ala | A |
| 10 | Aspartic acid | Asp | D |
| 11 | Aspartic acid | Asp | D |
| 12 | Alanine | Ala | A |
| 13 | Glycine | Gly | G |
| 14 | Leucine | Leu | L |
| 15 | Valine | Val | V |
Several structural features are immediately apparent.
BPC-157 contains four proline residues, including three consecutive prolines at positions three, four and five.
It also contains three glycine residues, two alanine residues and two aspartic acid residues.
The remaining amino acids occur once each.
This composition contributes to the peptide’s overall molecular formula and structural characteristics.
What Is the Molecular Weight of BPC-157?
The average molecular weight of unmodified BPC-157 is approximately 1,419.5 g/mol.
This value corresponds to the standard peptide sequence with an unmodified N-terminus and C-terminus.
BPC-157 molecular properties
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Compound name | BPC-157 |
| Peptide classification | Pentadecapeptide |
| Number of amino acids | 15 |
| Molecular formula | C62H98N16O22 |
| Average molecular weight | 1,419.5 g/mol |
| CAS number | 137525-51-0 |
| PubChem CID | 9941957 |
| Amino acid sequence | GEPPPGKPADDAGLV |
These reference values provide a basis for comparing the theoretical characteristics of BPC-157 with laboratory analytical data.
Why is molecular weight important in peptide research?
Molecular weight is a fundamental chemical property.
It provides information about the mass of a molecule and can assist with identifying a substance during analytical characterisation.
In peptide research, theoretical molecular weight may be compared with measurements produced by mass spectrometry.
However, molecular weight alone does not establish the full identity or purity of a sample.
Different substances can have similar measured masses, and analytical interpretation may require additional structural information.
What Is the Chemical Formula of BPC-157?
The molecular formula of BPC-157 is:
C62H98N16O22
This formula represents the elemental composition of the unmodified peptide.
It contains:
- 62 carbon atoms.
- 98 hydrogen atoms.
- 16 nitrogen atoms.
- 22 oxygen atoms.
The molecular formula is derived from the amino acid sequence and the chemical bonds connecting its residues.
During peptide bond formation, the combination of amino acids involves the elimination of water.
For a linear peptide containing 15 amino acids, 14 peptide bonds connect the individual residues.
This process accounts for the difference between the combined elemental composition of the free amino acids and the final peptide molecule.
Chemical formula versus amino acid sequence
Although related, a molecular formula and an amino acid sequence provide different kinds of information.
The molecular formula specifies the number of atoms of each element.
The amino acid sequence describes the arrangement of residues along the peptide chain.
Two different peptides may share a molecular formula while having different amino acid sequences.
Consequently, both types of information can be relevant when establishing the identity of a research compound.
Understanding the Chemical Structure of BPC-157
BPC-157 is a linear peptide containing 15 amino acid residues connected through peptide bonds.
Like other peptides, it has a backbone consisting of repeating chemical groups.
Each amino acid contributes a characteristic side chain, which helps determine its individual structural properties.
Several aspects of the BPC-157 sequence are worth examining.
1. Proline-rich region
BPC-157 contains four proline residues.
Three appear consecutively near the beginning of the sequence.
Proline has a distinctive cyclic structure that restricts certain types of rotation within a peptide backbone.
This makes proline an important residue when examining peptide conformational characteristics.
2. Glycine distribution
Three glycine residues appear at positions one, six and thirteen.
Glycine is the simplest amino acid, with hydrogen as its side chain.
Its relatively small structure permits a broader range of backbone conformations than many other amino acids.
3. Acidic amino acids
BPC-157 contains one glutamic acid residue and two aspartic acid residues.
These amino acids contain acidic side-chain groups.
Their ionisation characteristics contribute to the charge properties of the peptide under different chemical conditions.
4. Basic amino acid
The sequence contains one lysine residue.
Lysine has a basic side-chain group that can carry a positive charge depending on the surrounding chemical environment.
5. Terminal groups
The standard unmodified BPC-157 sequence contains an amino terminus and a carboxyl terminus.
Terminal modifications may alter the molecular formula and molecular mass.
For this reason, analytical records should specify whether the material corresponds to the standard unmodified peptide or a particular derivative.
How Is BPC-157 Identified in a Laboratory?
Laboratory peptide identification may involve several complementary analytical methods.
These methods provide different kinds of information about a research material.
Mass spectrometry
Mass spectrometry measures the mass-to-charge ratios of ions.
For peptide analysis, the technique can provide evidence consistent with the expected molecular mass.
Depending on the analytical method, fragmentation data can also contribute to structural identification.
However, a measured mass consistent with BPC-157 is not, by itself, conclusive proof of sequence identity.
High-performance liquid chromatography
High-performance liquid chromatography, commonly abbreviated as HPLC, separates components within a sample according to their interactions with the analytical system.
HPLC can be used to investigate sample composition and estimate chromatographic purity.
A chromatographic result should be interpreted according to the specific method and detection conditions used.
Amino acid analysis
Amino acid analysis can help establish the amino acid composition of a peptide.
However, composition alone does not necessarily confirm the order in which the residues are arranged.
Additional analytical information may be required for sequence verification.
Sequence analysis
Sequence-specific analytical methods can provide further information about peptide identity.
The suitability of a particular technique depends on the peptide, its chemical characteristics and the objectives of the analysis.
BPC-157 Free Peptide and Salt Forms
An important consideration in peptide chemistry is the distinction between a peptide’s underlying sequence and the form in which it is supplied.
Peptides may be encountered in different salt forms depending on synthesis, purification and other manufacturing processes.
For example, PubChem separately identifies BPC-157 and a BPC-157 trifluoroacetate salt.
Although the underlying peptide sequence remains the same, the overall chemical composition and molecular mass of the salt form differ.
This is why researchers should distinguish between:
- The molecular mass of the peptide itself.
- The molecular mass of a specified salt form.
- The composition of the complete analytical sample.
When reviewing documentation, the stated chemical form should be taken into account before comparing molecular weight values.
Why Amino Acid Sequence Accuracy Matters
The amino acid sequence is one of the most important identifiers of a synthetic peptide.
It determines the order of residues and provides a molecular reference against which an analytical sample can be evaluated.
An error in sequence identification can lead to confusion between different research materials.
For BPC-157, the established sequence of GEPPPGKPADDAGLV provides a specific reference.
Researchers can use recognised chemical databases to cross-reference this sequence with the reported molecular formula, molecular weight and compound identifiers.
Accurate sequence documentation also improves consistency when comparing results across scientific publications.
BPC-157 Certificates of Analysis
A Certificate of Analysis, or COA, provides information about the analytical testing carried out on a particular material or batch.
Depending on the tests performed, it may contain:
- The stated peptide name.
- Batch or lot identification.
- Reported molecular characteristics.
- Chromatographic purity results.
- Mass spectrometry findings.
- Analytical methods and testing dates.
A COA is most useful when its information can be matched to the specific batch under examination.
Importantly, a COA should not be interpreted as proof of properties that were not actually tested.
For example, a chromatographic purity result does not automatically establish every other characteristic of a material.
Understanding these distinctions helps researchers interpret analytical documentation accurately.
For additional information about the compound’s published chemical characteristics, see the BPC-157 research peptide reference page at Coridion Sciences.
Frequently Asked Questions About BPC-157 Structure
What is the amino acid sequence of BPC-157?
The recognised amino acid sequence is GEPPPGKPADDAGLV, comprising 15 amino acids.
What is the molecular weight of BPC-157?
The average molecular weight of the unmodified peptide is approximately 1,419.5 g/mol. Different specified salt forms have different overall molecular masses.
What is the molecular formula of BPC-157?
The molecular formula of the unmodified peptide is C62H98N16O22.
How many amino acids are in BPC-157?
BPC-157 contains 15 amino acid residues, which makes it a pentadecapeptide.
What is the CAS number for BPC-157?
The CAS Registry Number associated with BPC-157 is 137525-51-0.
Is BPC-157 a linear peptide?
Yes. Its recognised structure consists of a linear chain of 15 amino acid residues.
Does BPC-157 contain proline?
Yes. The sequence contains four proline residues, including three consecutive residues at positions three, four and five.
Can molecular weight alone confirm BPC-157 identity?
No. A measured molecular mass can provide supporting analytical evidence, but full identification may require additional structural or sequence-specific information.
Conclusion
BPC-157 is a synthetic pentadecapeptide with a defined amino acid sequence and established chemical reference characteristics.
Its sequence, GEPPPGKPADDAGLV, corresponds to a molecular formula of C62H98N16O22 and an average molecular weight of approximately 1,419.5 g/mol.
Understanding these properties provides a foundation for interpreting peptide chemistry, reviewing analytical documentation and distinguishing BPC-157 from other synthetic peptides.
For additional information about peptide research materials and their analytical characteristics, explore Coridion Sciences.
Scientific References
- PubChem — BPC-157, CID 9941957. Molecular formula, sequence, molecular weight and compound identifiers.
- PubChem — BPC-157 TFA Salt, CID 172966211. Chemical information about a separately identified salt form.
- PubMed — BPC-157 Scientific Literature. Indexed scientific research publications.
This article provides information about peptide chemistry and analytical characterisation only. It does not make claims concerning medical applications, therapeutic effectiveness or suitability for human or veterinary administration.