Guide
Understanding peptides, simply
Everything you need to know about these small molecules that fascinate modern science, without unnecessary jargon.
What is a peptide?
A peptide is a small chain of amino acids, the building blocks of proteins. Imagine a string of beads: each bead is an amino acid, and the order in which they are strung determines what the peptide does.
When the chain contains less than approximately 50 amino acids, we speak of peptide. Beyond that, we're talking about protein.
Our body naturally produces thousands of them, and each plays a specific role: transmitting messages between cells, triggering tissue regeneration, regulating metabolism.
A peptide is…
Areas of study
Why so much interest?
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Regeneration
Certain peptides are studied for their role in tissue repair: skin, tendons, muscles.
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Metabolism
The regulation of sugar, appetite and body composition is a major area of research.
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Skin and cosmetics
Peptides like GHK-Cu are at the heart of modern scientific cosmetics.
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Recovery
Muscle recovery and endurance form a very active area of research.
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General balance
Sleep, vitality, hormonal balance: so many avenues explored by science.
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Medical research
Thousands of scientific publications are devoted to peptides each year.
The mechanism
How does a peptide work?
- 1 A key and its lock Each peptide has a precise shape that fits into certain cell receptors, like a key in a lock.
- 2 A message sent Once bound to its receptor, the peptide transmits a signal: produce a protein, trigger a process, release a hormone.
- 3 A targeted response It is this very precise communication that makes peptides so interesting for research.
Frequently asked questions
R3TA, R3, GHK-Cu…
What is “R3”?
“R3” is a common nickname for R3TA, a triple agonist peptide (GLP-1, GIP and glucagon) studied in particular for its role in the regulation of metabolism and weight. “Reta” is another abbreviation of the same peptide.
R3TA or “ratatouille”?
Nothing to do with the Provençal dish: “ratatouille” is a frequent distortion of the word R3TA. The peptide is available in lyophilized vial (10 to 60 mg) or pre-filled pen.
What is the difference between the R3TA vial and pen?
The lyophilized vial is reconstituted with bacteriostatic water before use. The pen, sometimes called "R3 pen" or "reta pen", is already reconstituted and ready to use.
What is GHK-Cu used for in research?
GHK-Cu (copper tripeptide) is one of the most studied peptides in scientific cosmetics and tissue regeneration, an area of research complementary to that of metabolism.
What is the difference between a peptide and a protein?
It's a question of size: below around 50 amino acids, we speak of a peptide; beyond that, protein.
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