Oxytocin Acetate

Oxytocin is an amidated nine-residue peptide with a Cys1–Cys6 disulfide bridge, examined in receptor structure studies.

Identity

Sequence

H-CYIQNCPLG-NH2

Residues

9

Bridges and complexes

Cys1–Cys6 (S–S)

Molecular formula

C₄₃H₆₆N₁₂O₁₂S₂

Average molecular weight

1007.2 g/mol

Monoisotopic mass (calculated)

1006.4365 Da

CAS number

50-56-6

PubChem CID

439302

Other names

OT · OXT

The identity describes the amidated, disulfide-linked peptide without additional counterions. No separate UniProt accession was verified. A residue diagram is used instead of SMILES and atomic coordinates; blend components do not apply.

Identity data from: PubChem CID 439302

Research overview

Oxytocin is a nine-residue peptide whose first and sixth cysteine residues are connected by a disulfide bridge. This bond closes part of the peptide while leaving a short segment outside the loop, and the C-terminal glycine is amidated. The cited structural work examines oxytocin bound to its cognate membrane receptor, connecting the ligand identity to an experimentally determined receptor complex [1].

A single-particle cryo-electron microscopy study reported an active human oxytocin receptor structure with oxytocin present in the complex. The authors examined the binding mode and receptor activation, and considered subtype recognition within the oxytocin and vasopressin receptor family. Such a structure addresses ligand placement and receptor conformation in the captured assembly. It does not replace functional measurements in cells or establish that all members of the receptor family recognize the ligand identically [1].

A separate investigation compared the wild-type receptor with an A218T variant in two stable HEK293 cell lines. It measured receptor protein stability, calcium dynamics and MAPK pathway activation, and combined sequencing analyses with computational modelling. The observed differences were tied to the receptor variant in those cells. This example distinguishes the unchanged peptide ligand from a modified receptor: altered readouts can arise from the experimental receptor background, which should therefore be recorded when interpreting oxytocin signalling studies [2].

Laboratory storage and handling

Store sealed peptide vials under the temperature conditions stated in the lot documentation, protected from light and moisture. Let a cold vial reach room temperature before opening to limit condensation. Avoid repeated freezing and thawing of laboratory stocks, record storage history and the lot identifier, and use standard laboratory protective equipment. Chemical modifications and counterions should be checked against the supplied analytical description.

Questions about Oxytocin

References

1. Structural basis for the activation and ligand recognition of the human oxytocin receptor. Nat Commun 2022. PMID 35851571
2. Structure-function relationships of the disease-linked A218T oxytocin receptor variant. Mol Psychiatry 2022. PMID 34980886

Identity data checked on 2026-10-03. Literature summaries describe published research models and are not specifications of any product lot.