All information below describes the compound's chemical identity, laboratory handling, and the published research literature. It describes molecular targets and results in laboratory and animal models only — not effects in humans — and is not evidence of any human benefit.
What Is Semaglutide?
Semaglutide is a synthetic peptide analogue of human glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), a 31-residue backbone derived from the GLP-1(7-37) sequence with two amino acid substitutions (2-aminoisobutyric acid at position 8 and arginine at position 34) and a modified lysine at position 26 bearing a C18 fatty-diacid side chain attached through a γ-glutamate and two 8-amino-3,6-dioxaoctanoic acid (AEEA) spacer units. It was first described by Lau and colleagues at Novo Nordisk and is classified as a long-acting GLP-1 receptor agonist. It does not occur in this form in nature; it is an engineered analogue whose fatty-diacid moiety mediates reversible albumin binding, a structural feature commonly examined in pharmacokinetic model systems.
It is supplied as a reference compound for in vitro and animal research use only. The sections below summarize its chemical identity, laboratory handling, the molecular targets and model systems examined in the published literature, and the primary references — without describing outcomes, efficacy, or effects in humans.
Research Targets & Pathways
Published preclinical literature has examined semaglutide in relation to several molecular systems. These are pathway associations reported in laboratory and animal models; refer to the cited studies for methods and findings.
- Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor (GLP-1R) — a class B G-protein-coupled receptor; semaglutide is characterized as an agonist in receptor-binding and activation assay systems.
- Gs / cAMP / PKA signaling — examined as the canonical downstream cascade of GLP-1R activation in cell-based cAMP-accumulation assays.
- Pancreatic islet β-cell signaling — investigated in isolated islet and β-cell-line model systems in the context of glucose-dependent GLP-1R signaling.
- Hypothalamic and hindbrain GLP-1R-expressing neurons — mapped in rodent central-nervous-system circuit-tracing and c-Fos activation studies.
- Serum-albumin binding (C18 diacid side chain) — a design feature studied in pharmacokinetic and protein-binding assays relevant to the compound's extended plasma half-life.
Model Systems Studied
Semaglutide has been used as a test compound across a range of published preclinical model systems, primarily in rodents, non-human primates, and in vitro cell assays. Refer to the cited literature for study designs, endpoints, and findings.
- Recombinant receptor systems — HEK293 and CHO cell lines expressing human GLP-1R for binding and cAMP-accumulation assays.
- Pancreatic models — INS-1 and MIN6 β-cell lines and primary rodent islet preparations.
- Rodent metabolic models — diet-induced-obese mice, db/db mice, and Zucker diabetic fatty rats.
- Central-nervous-system models — rodent neuronal-activation mapping and appetite-circuit tracing studies.
- Pharmacokinetic models — rodent and non-human-primate protein-binding and half-life characterization studies.
Note: much of the semaglutide literature spans class-level GLP-1 receptor agonist evidence; semaglutide-specific findings are noted in the cited primary studies where available.
Stability
Semaglutide is noted in the literature for prolonged plasma stability relative to native GLP-1, a physicochemical property attributed to its engineered design: the Aib8 substitution confers resistance to dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) cleavage, and the C18 fatty-diacid side chain drives reversible serum-albumin binding. These features are characterized in the primary discovery literature and are relevant to formulation and handling in research settings.
Molecular & Technical Profile
C187H291N45O59 | MW ~4113.58 g/mol | CAS 910463-68-2 | Analogue of human GLP-1(7-37) (Aib8, Arg34, Lys26-C18 diacid)
Storage, Reconstitution & Working Concentrations
Storage, reconstitution, and working-concentration values are general laboratory guidance for in vitro and animal research; always confirm against the lot-specific Certificate of Analysis.
Current Research Status
An approved semaglutide drug product exists in various jurisdictions, marketed under the brand names Ozempic and Rybelsus (type 2 diabetes) and Wegovy (chronic weight management). The material supplied by Explicit Research is a research-grade reference compound for laboratory use only; it is not the approved finished drug product, is not formulated or labeled for clinical use, and is not for human consumption. The public evidence base for semaglutide spans both preclinical characterization (recombinant receptor, cell, and rodent models) and clinical trial literature conducted under the approved drug product; the reference material offered here is intended solely for in vitro and animal research contexts. Published work continues to characterize the compound's receptor pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, and mechanistic profile across model systems.
Research FAQ
Is semaglutide approved for human use?
An approved semaglutide drug product exists in various jurisdictions (marketed as Ozempic, Wegovy, and Rybelsus). The material supplied here is a research-grade reference compound for laboratory use only — not the approved finished drug product and not for human consumption.
What is semaglutide's molecular formula and CAS number?
A synthetic GLP-1 receptor agonist peptide analogue of human GLP-1(7-37) (Aib8, Arg34, Lys26-C18 diacid) — molecular formula C187H291N45O59, MW ~4113.58 g/mol, CAS 910463-68-2.
How is semaglutide stored and reconstituted?
Store lyophilized at −20°C, desiccated and protected from light and moisture. Reconstitute in sterile water or PBS (pH 7.4); store the reconstituted solution at 2–8°C for up to ~28 days and avoid repeated freeze–thaw. DMSO is not recommended as the primary solvent.
What targets has semaglutide been studied for?
Preclinical work has characterized it as an agonist of the glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor (GLP-1R) and its downstream Gs/cAMP/PKA signaling, across pancreatic islet, hypothalamic, and rodent metabolic model systems, with a C18 fatty-diacid side chain mediating albumin binding in pharmacokinetic models.
Selected References
- Lau J, et al. (2015). Discovery of the Once-Weekly Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 (GLP-1) Analogue Semaglutide. Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, 58(18):7370–7380.
- Knudsen LB, Lau J (2019). The Discovery and Development of Liraglutide and Semaglutide. Frontiers in Endocrinology, 10:155.
- Drucker DJ (2018). Mechanisms of Action and Therapeutic Application of Glucagon-like Peptide-1. Cell Metabolism, 27(4):740–756.
- Gabery S, et al. (2020). Semaglutide lowers body weight in rodents via distributed neural pathways. JCI Insight, 5(6):e133429.
- Marso SP, et al. (2016). Semaglutide and Cardiovascular Outcomes in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes (SUSTAIN-6). New England Journal of Medicine, 375(19):1834–1844.
- Wilding JPH, et al. (2021). Once-Weekly Semaglutide in Adults with Overweight or Obesity (STEP 1). New England Journal of Medicine, 384(11):989–1002.