Acetyl Tetrapeptide-40 Acetate: Properties & Research Uses

Acetyl Tetrapeptide-40, Acetate is a synthetic acetylated tetrapeptide supplied as its acetate salt, investigated in cosmetic biology research for its potential role in modulating scalp and hair follicle cellular signaling pathways.

Chemical Class

Synthetic acetylated tetrapeptide (acetate salt form)

SKU

A777844B

Supplier

Aladdin Scientific

Primary Research Area

Cosmetic biology, hair follicle and scalp research, peptide biochemistry

Salt Form

Acetate salt

Peptide Length

Tetrapeptide (4 amino acid residues)

What Is Acetyl Tetrapeptide-40, Acetate?

Acetyl Tetrapeptide-40, Acetate is a chemically synthesized, N-terminally acetylated tetrapeptide formulated as an acetate salt to enhance solubility and stability in aqueous research buffers. Tetrapeptides of this class belong to a broader family of signal peptides — short amino acid sequences that interact with cell-surface receptors or intracellular targets to modulate biological responses.

The acetylation of the N-terminus is a common modification strategy in peptide chemistry that serves multiple purposes: it increases resistance to aminopeptidase-mediated degradation, improves membrane permeability, and can influence receptor-binding affinity. The acetate counterion further stabilizes the molecule under physiological pH conditions and facilitates lyophilization and reconstitution in laboratory workflows.

Within cosmetic science and dermatological research, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-40 has attracted interest as a candidate active ingredient targeting the scalp microenvironment, particularly in studies related to hair follicle biology. However, researchers should note that detailed peer-reviewed mechanistic data specific to this peptide remain limited in the open literature, and rigorous in-house validation is recommended when incorporating this compound into experimental protocols.

Biochemical Properties and Stability

As an acetylated tetrapeptide salt, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-40, Acetate possesses physicochemical characteristics typical of small synthetic peptides. The molecular weight is consistent with a four-residue peptide backbone bearing an acetyl cap, placing it well within the range amenable to solid-phase peptide synthesis (SPPS) and reverse-phase HPLC purification.

Key stability considerations for laboratory use include:

• Storage: Lyophilized powder should be stored at −20 °C or below, protected from moisture and light. Avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles once reconstituted.
• Reconstitution: The compound is typically soluble in water or aqueous buffers (e.g., PBS, pH 7.4). For poorly soluble batches, brief sonication or addition of a small percentage of DMSO (≤10%) may aid dissolution. Verify solvent compatibility with your assay system.
• pH sensitivity: Maintain solutions near neutral pH to minimize hydrolysis of the acetyl group and peptide backbone.
• Purity: Research-grade material from Aladdin Scientific is intended for in vitro laboratory use. Purity specifications should be confirmed on the Certificate of Analysis (CoA) supplied with each lot.

Researchers are advised to prepare working solutions fresh or aliquot stocks immediately after reconstitution to preserve activity and prevent degradation.

Research Applications

Acetyl Tetrapeptide-40, Acetate is primarily investigated within the following research contexts:

Hair Follicle and Scalp Biology

Signal peptides targeting dermal papilla cells, keratinocytes, and scalp fibroblasts are widely studied as modulators of the hair growth cycle. Acetyl Tetrapeptide-40 is of interest as a research tool for probing pathways associated with follicle maintenance, inflammation modulation in the scalp dermis, and cellular proliferation or differentiation assays.

In Vitro Cell-Based Assays

The compound may be evaluated in standard in vitro formats, including:

• Proliferation assays (e.g., MTT, CCK-8) on dermal papilla or keratinocyte cell lines
• Gene expression studies (RT-qPCR, RNA-seq) to assess upregulation or downregulation of hair-cycle-related genes
• ELISA-based cytokine or growth factor quantification following peptide treatment
• Wound-healing/scratch assays to assess effects on cell migration

Structure–Activity Relationship (SAR) Studies

As part of a peptide library, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-40 can be used in comparative SAR studies alongside analogous tetrapeptides to delineate which structural features drive biological activity, informing future peptide design for cosmetic or therapeutic development.

Note: All applications described are for research purposes only. This product is not approved for clinical, diagnostic, or therapeutic use.

Handling, Safety, and Regulatory Considerations

When working with Acetyl Tetrapeptide-40, Acetate in a laboratory setting, standard peptide handling practices apply:

• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Wear appropriate lab coat, nitrile gloves, and eye protection. Although the compound is not classified as a hazardous substance under standard regulatory frameworks, fine peptide powders may cause respiratory irritation; handle in a well-ventilated area or use a fume hood when weighing.
• Waste Disposal: Dispose of peptide solutions and contaminated materials in accordance with your institution's chemical waste regulations and local environmental guidelines.
• For Research Use Only (RUO): This product is strictly for in vitro laboratory research. It is not intended for human or veterinary administration, food, drug, or cosmetic manufacturing without appropriate regulatory clearance.
• Documentation: Always consult the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) and Certificate of Analysis (CoA) provided by Aladdin Scientific for lot-specific purity, identity confirmation (HPLC, MS), and safety information before use.

Researchers requiring GMP-grade or clinical-grade material must source from appropriately certified manufacturers and should not use this research-grade product for such purposes.

Ordering and Availability from Aladdin Scientific

Acetyl Tetrapeptide-40, Acetate is available from Aladdin Scientific under SKU A777844B. When placing an order, researchers and procurement personnel should consider the following:

• Quantity and Pack Size: Contact Aladdin Scientific's sales team or visit the product page to confirm available pack sizes and pricing for your required quantity.
• Lead Time: As a specialty peptide, lead times may vary. Early ordering is recommended, especially for time-sensitive research programs.
• Quality Documentation: Each lot is supplied with a Certificate of Analysis (CoA). Request HPLC chromatograms and mass spectrometry data to verify identity and purity prior to use.
• Custom Synthesis: For modified analogs, scaled quantities, or alternative salt forms, inquire about Aladdin Scientific's custom peptide synthesis services.
• Technical Support: Aladdin Scientific's technical support team is available to advise on reconstitution, storage optimization, and experimental design considerations specific to your application.

To place an order or request a quotation, use the SKU A777844B on the Aladdin Scientific website or contact your regional sales representative directly.

Frequently asked questions

What is the recommended storage condition for Acetyl Tetrapeptide-40, Acetate?

Lyophilized Acetyl Tetrapeptide-40, Acetate should be stored at −20 °C or below in a dry, dark environment. Once reconstituted, prepare single-use aliquots to avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles, which can degrade peptide integrity. Always refer to the lot-specific CoA from Aladdin Scientific for confirmed storage recommendations.

In which solvents can Acetyl Tetrapeptide-40, Acetate be dissolved?

The acetate salt form is generally soluble in water and aqueous buffers such as phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) at physiological pH. If solubility is limited, brief sonication or addition of up to 10% DMSO may be used to aid dissolution. Researchers should validate solvent compatibility with their specific assay system before use.

Is Acetyl Tetrapeptide-40, Acetate suitable for in vivo or clinical use?

No. Acetyl Tetrapeptide-40, Acetate supplied by Aladdin Scientific under SKU A777844B is a research-use-only (RUO) reagent intended solely for in vitro laboratory research. It is not approved, tested, or manufactured to standards required for in vivo animal studies, human clinical trials, or any therapeutic, diagnostic, or cosmetic manufacturing application without appropriate regulatory authorization.

How does N-terminal acetylation benefit peptide stability in research assays?

N-terminal acetylation blocks the free amine group at the peptide's N-terminus, rendering it resistant to exopeptidase (aminopeptidase) degradation. This modification extends the half-life of the peptide in cell culture media and biological matrices, ensuring that the compound remains intact and bioavailable during the assay window. It can also influence receptor binding characteristics and membrane permeability.

What quality documentation is provided with each lot of A777844B?

Each lot of Acetyl Tetrapeptide-40, Acetate (SKU A777844B) from Aladdin Scientific is supplied with a Certificate of Analysis (CoA) that includes identity confirmation and purity data. Researchers should request HPLC chromatograms and mass spectrometry (MS) data to independently verify peptide sequence identity and purity before initiating experiments. Contact Aladdin Scientific's technical support for additional documentation if required.

References

1. Fields G.B. (2019). Introduction to Peptide Chemistry. Methods in Molecular Biology. General reference for solid-phase peptide synthesis and N-terminal acetylation chemistry.
2. Lintner K., Mas-Chamberlin C., Mondon P., Peschard O., Lamy L. (2009). Cosmeceuticals and active ingredients. Clinics in Dermatology, 27(5), 461–468. Background on signal peptides in skin and hair biology research. doi:10.1016/j.clindermatol.2009.05.011
3. Rinnerthaler M., Bischof J., Streubel M.K., Trost A., Richter K. (2015). Oxidative stress in aging human skin. Biomolecules, 5(2), 545–589. Context for peptide research in dermatological aging biology. doi:10.3390/biom5020545

Products are supplied for research and development use only. Not for use in humans, animals, diagnosis, or therapy.