Substance P
Substance P (Arg-Pro-Lys-Pro-Gln-Gln-Phe-Phe-Gly-Leu-Met-NH2)
Overview
Substance P is an 11-amino-acid neuropeptide belonging to the tachykinin family that functions as a neurotransmitter and neuromodulator in both the central and peripheral nervous systems. It is primarily known as a pain signaling molecule but has diverse roles in inflammation immune function mood regulation and hair growth. Substance P has attracted significant research interest for its role in the gut-brain axis stress response and as a potential therapeutic target for pain chronic inflammatory conditions and depression. It also plays a surprising role in hair follicle biology making it relevant to alopecia research.
Mechanism of Action
Substance P acts primarily through the neurokinin-1 receptor (NK1R) which is widely distributed in the nervous system immune cells skin and gut. In pain signaling it is released from primary afferent neurons (C-fibers and A-delta fibers) in response to noxious stimuli and amplifies pain signals in the dorsal horn of the spinal cord — a process called central sensitization. In inflammation it acts as a vasodilator promotes mast cell degranulation and enhances immune cell recruitment. In the gut Substance P regulates motility secretion and the enteric nervous system. In hair follicles Substance P from perifollicular nerve fibers can trigger premature catagen entry — paradoxically making NK1R antagonists (which block Substance P) potentially useful for stress-related hair loss conditions like telogen effluvium.
Where does Substance P sit?
See how this peptide compares across all 85 peptides in our database.
Dosage Information
Typical Dose
Research compound — no established therapeutic dosing
Frequency
N/A
Administration
IV or intradermal in research settings
Notes
Substance P itself is primarily studied as a target for antagonist therapies rather than as a therapeutic agent. NK1R antagonists like aprepitant block Substance P signaling and are FDA-approved for chemotherapy-induced nausea.
Compound Data
Molecular Formula
C63H98N18O13S
Molecular Weight
1347.60 g/mol
IUPAC Name
(2S)-2-[[(2S)-1-[(2S)-6-amino-2-[[(2S)-1-[(2S)-2-amino-5-(diaminomethylideneamino)pentanoyl]pyrrolidine-2-carbonyl]amino]hexanoyl]pyrrolidine-2-carbonyl]amino]-N-[(2S)-5-amino-1-[[(2S)-1-[[(2S)-1-[[2-[[(2S)-1-[[(2S)-1-amino-4-methylsulfanyl-1-oxobutan-2-yl]amino]-4-methyl-1-oxopentan-2-yl]amino]-2-oxoethyl]amino]-1-oxo-3-phenylpropan-2-yl]amino]-1-oxo-3-phenylpropan-2-yl]amino]-1,5-dioxopentan-2-yl]pentanediamide
PubChem CID
36511Potential Side Effects
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Quick Facts
- Administration
- IV or intradermal in research settings
- Typical Dose
- Research compound — no established therapeutic dosing
- Frequency
- N/A
- References
- 0 curated + 40 from PubMed
- Evidence Score
- 39.7 / 100