Peptide Abbreviations Guide: What BPC, TB, GHK, DSIP, MOTS, and More Stand For

Peptide names can look like a scrambled alphabet — BPC-157, TB-500, GHK-Cu, DSIP, MOTS-c, CJC-1295. If you have ever wondered what those letters and numbers actually mean, this guide breaks down every major peptide abbreviation into plain language, including the logic behind the naming system.

Understanding what abbreviations stand for often helps you understand what a peptide does — many names are derived from their mechanism, origin tissue, or key structural property.

How Peptide Names Work

Peptide names typically follow one of several conventions:

1. Acronym from discovery name: BPC = Body Protection Compound. The number (157) identifies the specific compound within a research series.
2. Origin tissue or protein: TB-500 derives from Thymosin Beta, a protein family first isolated from thymus tissue. The 500 refers to a specific fraction.
3. Structural descriptor: GHK describes the sequence of amino acids (Glycine-Histidine-Lysine). Cu = copper.
4. Drug code or internal identifier: CJC-1295, AOD-9604, and many pharmaceutical codes are internal research identifiers that don't encode obvious descriptive meaning.
5. Full name abbreviation: DSIP = Delta Sleep Inducing Peptide. GHRP = Growth Hormone Releasing Peptide.

Quick Reference: Alphabetical Abbreviations

A

AOD-9604: Anti-Obesity Drug fragment 9604. A modified fragment of human growth hormone (amino acids 176–191) selected specifically for its fat metabolism effects without GH's blood sugar effects. Developed by Monash University.

ACTH: Adrenocorticotropic Hormone. A pituitary hormone that stimulates cortisol production from the adrenal cortex. Used in research and as a diagnostic tool.

B

BPC: Body Protection Compound. Named by the Croatian research group that first isolated it from gastric juice. The "body protection" refers to its observed role in protecting and healing the gastrointestinal tract.

BPC-157: Body Protection Compound 157. The 15-amino acid synthetic peptide derived from a region of BPC. The 157 identifies its position or sequence in the original research series. Sometimes called a "pentadecapeptide" (penta = 5, deca = 10, so 15 amino acids).

C

CJC-1295: A research code assigned internally. CJC refers to ConjuChem, the Canadian biotechnology company that developed it. 1295 is a compound identifier number. The full chemical name is D-Ala2, D-Phe5, D-Trp8-substance P. CJC-1295 is a modified GHRH analog.

CJC-1295 DAC vs. without DAC: DAC = Drug Affinity Complex, a chemical modification that binds the peptide to albumin in blood, extending half-life from minutes to days. "Mod GRF 1-29" is the name for CJC-1295 without DAC.

D

DAC: Drug Affinity Complex. The chemical linker attached to CJC-1295 that allows it to bind plasma albumin, dramatically extending its half-life.

DSIP: Delta Sleep Inducing Peptide. Named for its original identified function — inducing delta-wave (slow-wave) sleep when injected into animal models. A nonapeptide (9 amino acids) with observed effects on sleep architecture, stress response, and pituitary function.

DHH: Desert Hedgehog. A signaling protein involved in peripheral nerve development. Some peptide derivatives are being researched for nerve repair.

E

Epithalon (also Epitalon): A tetrapeptide (4 amino acids: Ala-Glu-Asp-Gly) developed by Professor Vladimir Khavinson at the Saint Petersburg Institute of Bioregulation. Named for the epiphysis (pineal gland) from which the natural corresponding polypeptide (epithalamin) was originally isolated.

F

Fragment 176-191: Refers to amino acid positions 176–191 of the human growth hormone sequence. This fragment (the same compound as AOD-9604) was identified as the region responsible for fat metabolism effects.

G

GHK: Glycine-Histidine-Lysine. The three amino acids in this naturally occurring copper-binding tripeptide, listed in sequence. The amino acid abbreviations are G (Glycine), H (Histidine), K (Lysine).

GHK-Cu: Glycine-Histidine-Lysine Copper. The copper-bound form of GHK, where Cu is the chemical symbol for copper (from the Latin "cuprum"). The copper ion is essential to GHK's biological activity.

GH: Growth Hormone. Also called somatotropin. A 191-amino acid protein hormone produced by the pituitary gland.

GHRH: Growth Hormone Releasing Hormone. The hypothalamic peptide that stimulates GH secretion from the pituitary. Also called somatocrinin.

GHRP: Growth Hormone Releasing Peptide. A class of synthetic peptides that stimulate GH release through the ghrelin receptor (GHS-R1a). Examples: GHRP-2, GHRP-6, ipamorelin.

GHRP-2: Growth Hormone Releasing Peptide 2. The "2" distinguishes it from GHRP-6 and indicates it was the second major compound in the GHRP research series.

GHRP-6: Growth Hormone Releasing Peptide 6. A hexapeptide (6 amino acids) and one of the first GHRPs developed. Known for significant hunger stimulation as a side effect.

GIP: Glucose-dependent Insulinotropic Polypeptide. The gut hormone whose receptor is the second target of tirzepatide (in addition to GLP-1).

GLP-1: Glucagon-Like Peptide 1. A gut-derived incretin hormone that stimulates insulin secretion in response to food and reduces appetite. The target of semaglutide and liraglutide.

GnRH: Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone. The hypothalamic peptide that controls FSH and LH release, regulating reproductive function.

H

HGH: Human Growth Hormone. The full-length 191-amino acid natural human GH protein, distinguishing it from animal GH or synthetic fragments.

HGP: Human Growth Peptide. Less common abbreviation; generally equivalent to HGH in context.

I

IGF-1: Insulin-Like Growth Factor 1. A liver-produced hormone whose blood level reflects GH axis activity. The primary lab marker for assessing GH secretagogue effectiveness.

IGF-1 LR3: IGF-1 Long-Arg3. A modified version of IGF-1 with an arginine substitution and extended N-terminus that makes it resistant to binding proteins, increasing its half-life and potency.

L

LR3: Long Arg3. As above — refers to the extended half-life version of IGF-1.

M

Mod GRF 1-29: Modified GRF (Growth Releasing Factor) amino acids 1-29. The name for CJC-1295 without DAC. GRF 1-29 is the active fragment of GHRH corresponding to amino acids 1–29.

MOTS-c: Mitochondrial Open Reading Frame of the 12S rRNA-c. One of the most complex abbreviations in the peptide world. It is a mitochondria-derived peptide (hence the "m" in MOTS) encoded by the 12S ribosomal RNA gene of mitochondrial DNA. The "c" indicates the specific open reading frame. Studied for metabolic regulation, exercise performance, and insulin sensitivity.

P

PT-141: PT stands for "palatin technologies" (the company that developed it), and 141 is the compound's internal identifier. Its INN (international nonproprietary name) is bremelanotide. A melanocortin receptor agonist approved for HSDD.

PEG: Polyethylene Glycol. The polymer attached to peptides in PEGylation to extend half-life and reduce immunogenicity.

S

SNAP-8: SNAP stands for Synaptosomal-Associated Protein. An 8-amino acid cosmetic peptide that mimics SNAP-25, a protein involved in neurotransmitter release at the neuromuscular junction. Used topically to reduce expression wrinkles. Related to botulinum toxin's mechanism but far weaker.

SNARE: Soluble NSF Attachment Protein Receptor. The protein complex involved in neurotransmitter vesicle fusion. Relevant to SNAP-8 and similar cosmetic peptides that target muscle contraction signaling.

T

TB-500: TB stands for Thymosin Beta. The 500 refers to the 500-amino acid fraction of thymus extract from which the active peptide was originally identified. TB-500 is a synthetic version of the active fragment of Thymosin Beta-4 (specifically amino acids 17–23, the actin-binding domain).

Tβ4: Thymosin Beta-4. The full 43-amino acid naturally occurring protein. TB-500 is a synthetic fragment of Tβ4.

Tα1: Thymosin Alpha-1. A separate thymic peptide (28 amino acids) with immune-modulating properties — different from TB-500 despite similar naming.

V

VIP: Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide. A neuropeptide with diverse roles in vasodilation, immune regulation, circadian rhythm, and gut motility. Being researched for inflammatory bowel disease and pulmonary conditions.

Numbers in Peptide Names

Numbers in peptide names can mean different things:

• Amino acid count: Ipamorelin is a pentapeptide (5 amino acids), though the name doesn't encode this directly
• Sequence position: Fragment 176–191 identifies amino acid positions 176 through 191 in the HGH sequence
• Compound identifier: The 157 in BPC-157 and the 1295 in CJC-1295 are research series identifiers
• Molecular weight: Some older naming conventions used molecular weight (not common in peptide naming)

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why is BPC-157 called a "pentadecapeptide"? Pentadeca comes from Greek: penta (5) + deca (10) = 15. BPC-157 is a 15-amino acid peptide. The "pentadecapeptide" label appears in scientific literature as a descriptor of its size.

Q: What does the "Cu" in GHK-Cu stand for? Cu is the chemical symbol for copper, derived from the Latin word "cuprum." The Cu indicates that the peptide is complexed with a copper ion, which is essential to its biological activity — GHK alone (without copper) has significantly reduced efficacy for tissue repair and gene activation.

Q: Is CJC-1295 DAC the same as regular CJC-1295? They have the same core peptide sequence but different pharmacokinetics. CJC-1295 without DAC (Mod GRF 1-29) has a half-life of approximately 30 minutes, producing a pulsatile GH release. CJC-1295 with DAC has a half-life of 6–8 days, producing a sustained GH elevation. They are used for different protocol designs and are not interchangeable. See more in the peptide glossary.

Q: Why do some peptides have brand names and others just have abbreviations? FDA-approved pharmaceuticals receive International Nonproprietary Names (INNs) and brand names (semaglutide/Ozempic, bremelanotide/Vyleesi). Research peptides used outside of pharmaceutical development typically retain their compound identifier codes (BPC-157, TB-500) because they have never been submitted for approval and therefore never received an INN.

Q: Where can I learn about what these peptides actually do? For a ranked overview of the most useful peptides, see top 10 peptides in 2026. For healing-specific applications, see strongest peptides for healing. For a full definitions reference, the peptide glossary covers mechanism and receptor terminology.