Lumera Labs Journal · Compendium
Peptide naming conventions: codes, sequences, and trade names
Published 2025-08-01 · Lumera Labs Editorial · Kelowna, BC
Short answer. A research peptide can have up to four legitimate names: a development code (e.g. PL14736), a descriptive name (Body Protection Compound 157), a trade name (none for BPC-157, but Bremelanotide for PT-141), and the sequence in one-letter code (GEPPPGKPADDAGLV). All four refer to the same molecule. Which one to use depends on the audience.
Development codes
Pharmaceutical development organizations assign internal codes to candidate compounds. PL14736 is BPC-157's pharmaceutical code (from Pliva-Lek). LY3437943 is Retatrutide's Eli Lilly code. These codes are useful for searching primary literature, especially older publications that pre-date the descriptive name.
Descriptive names
BPC-157 = Body Protection Compound, residue position 157 of the parent gastric-juice protein. AOD-9604 = Anti-Obesity Drug 9604. The descriptive component captures the discovery context; the number is usually a position or development sequence.
Trade names
Pharmaceutical-approved peptides usually have trade names (Wegovy = semaglutide, Mounjaro = tirzepatide, Zepbound = tirzepatide for obesity indication). Research peptides without clinical approval typically don't have trade names. PT-141 has Bremelanotide (which is the INN, not a trade name) and Vyleesi (trade name post-FDA approval for HSDD).
Sequence in one-letter code
The one-letter amino acid code (G = Gly, E = Glu, etc.) compresses the sequence into a string for unambiguous identification. BPC-157's sequence is GEPPPGKPADDAGLV. This is the unique molecular identifier; everything else is a label. Two suppliers selling "BPC-157" with different sequences are selling different molecules even if the labels match.
Three-letter code (for publication)
Published peptide chemistry uses three-letter codes (Gly-Glu-Pro-Pro-Pro-Gly-Lys-Pro-Ala-Asp-Asp-Ala-Gly-Leu-Val) for unambiguous reading. The three-letter code shows residue boundaries explicitly and avoids the I-vs-L visual confusion that one-letter code can introduce in printed text.
Naming pitfalls
- Acetyl- prefix: "Ac-" prepended to a sequence indicates N-terminal acetylation. Ac-BPC-157 is structurally different from BPC-157.
- -NHâ‚‚ suffix: indicates C-terminal amide rather than free carboxylic acid. Functionally similar but not identical in receptor-binding work.
- Salt forms: "BPC-157 acetate" vs "BPC-157 trifluoroacetate" — same peptide, different counter-ion. The COA should specify which.
- D vs L isomers: all-L is the natural form; D-residue substitutions are sometimes intentional for protease resistance. Reference-grade material verifies stereochemistry by chiral HPLC.
Frequently asked questions
Why does the same peptide have so many names?
Different communities (pharma, academic, regulatory, clinical) need different naming conventions. The sequence in one-letter code is the unique identifier; the rest are labels.
What is the most reliable way to verify peptide identity?
Sequence verified by mass spec (and ideally LC-MS/MS for cyclic or modified peptides). Names can be wrong; sequences and masses can't.
Is 'Ac-' the same as the un-modified peptide?
No — Ac- (acetyl) indicates N-terminal acetylation. Adds 42 Da and changes receptor pharmacology in some cases. Always note whether your sequence has the Ac- prefix.
What's the difference between INN and trade name?
INN = International Nonproprietary Name (the generic name; e.g. Bremelanotide). Trade name = the brand under which a particular formulation is sold (e.g. Vyleesi for the FDA-approved Bremelanotide formulation).
Where can I look up a peptide's full identity?
Run the sequence through PubChem or check the lot-specific COA. Lumera's /lab-results/ shows sequence and mass for every release.
Disclaimer: All Lumera Labs products are supplied for laboratory research use only. They are not approved by Health Canada for human consumption, therapy, or diagnosis. See our research-use declaration for full terms.