N-terminal Acetylation
Also known as: acetylation · acetylated · N-terminal acetyl
Capping a peptide’s N-terminus with an acetyl group to improve stability and resistance to breakdown.
N-terminal acetylation adds an acetyl group (CH₃CO–) to the free amino group at a peptide’s N-terminus. It neutralises the terminal charge and shields the end from aminopeptidase enzymes.
Like C-terminal amidation, it is a common modification used to extend a peptide’s half-life and, in some cases, mimic the natural molecule. Cosmetic peptides such as acetyl hexapeptide-8 (Argireline) carry this modification, as their names indicate.
RELATED TERMS
N-terminus & C-terminus
The two ends of a peptide chain: the N-terminus has a free amino group, the C-terminus a free carboxyl group.
C-terminal Amidation
Capping a peptide’s C-terminus with an amide group to mimic the natural molecule and slow enzymatic breakdown.
Half-Life
The time for a compound’s concentration to fall by half — a key determinant of dosing frequency in research.
Analog
A peptide deliberately modified from a natural sequence to improve stability, selectivity or potency.
Argireline
Acetyl hexapeptide-8 — the best-known cosmetic "neuro-cosmetic" peptide, studied for the appearance of expression lines.
Educational content, not medical advice. All products supplied for research purposes only — not for human consumption.