Product Overview

Plecanatide (CAS 467426-54-6, C₆₅H₁₀₄N₁₈O₂₆S₄, MW 1681.89 g/mol) is a 16-amino-acid synthetic analogue of uroguanylin — the endogenous ligand of the guanylate cyclase-C (GC-C) receptor — containing two intramolecular disulfide bonds (Cys4-Cys12 and Cys7-Cys15) that lock the peptide into its receptor-bound conformation and are essential for binding affinity and metabolic stability. Plecanatide binds GC-C on the luminal surface of intestinal epithelial cells, elevating intracellular cGMP. The cGMP rise drives two complementary effects: (1) activation of the CFTR (cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator) chloride channel, promoting chloride and fluid secretion into the intestinal lumen to accelerate GI transit, and (2) reduced visceral hypersensitivity through cGMP-mediated modulation of pain-signaling pathways. This dual secretory + analgesic action distinguishes GC-C agonists from osmotic and lubricant laxatives, which act only through bulk or lubrication. UPOR Biotech supplies plecanatide as a white to off-white lyophilized powder, ≥98% HPLC purity with acetate counter-ion, produced by solid-phase peptide synthesis with oxidative disulfide folding.

From a research perspective, plecanatide is the active principle of Trulance — the FDA-approved reference drug for chronic idiopathic constipation (CIC) and irritable bowel syndrome with constipation (IBS-C) — making it a valuable reference standard for GI physiology, ion-channel pharmacology, and visceral pain research. As a bulk supplier of research-grade GC-C agonist peptide, UPOR Biotech provides plecanatide with full analytical documentation, ISO 9001:2015, cGMP, and FDA facility registration. Research Use Only (RUO) — not for human diagnostic or therapeutic use. Packaging: 1 mg, 5 mg, 10 mg, and 50 mg sealed lyophilized vials, stored at -20°C.

Plecanatide vs Linaclotide — Both GC-C Agonists, Distinct Structural Scaffolds

Both plecanatide and linaclotide are guanylate cyclase-C agonists indicated for IBS-C and CIC, and both act through the cGMP → CFTR secretory pathway with visceral analgesic activity. However, they are built on distinct structural scaffolds: plecanatide is a 16-amino-acid analogue of uroguanylin with two disulfide bonds (Cys4-Cys12, Cys7-Cys15), whereas linaclotide is a 14-amino-acid peptide with three disulfide bonds. This difference is functionally significant — plecanatide’s activation is pH-dependent and more closely mimics endogenous uroguanylin, favoring binding at the near-neutral pH of the proximal small intestine, while linaclotide activates more broadly across the GI tract. For researchers comparing GC-C agonists, plecanatide offers the closest structural and mechanistic proxy to native uroguanylin signaling.

Technical Specifications

PropertySpecification
Product NamePlecanatide Research Peptide (GC-C Receptor Agonist) — ≥98% HPLC
CAS Number467426-54-6
Molecular FormulaC₆₅H₁₀₄N₁₈O₂₆S₄
Molecular Weight1681.89 g/mol
Amino Acid Residues16 (uroguanylin analogue)
Peptide ClassUroguanylin analogue
Target ReceptorGuanylate cyclase-C (GC-C)
Disulfide Bonds2 (Cys4-Cys12, Cys7-Cys15)
Mechanism of ActionGC-C agonist → cGMP elevation → CFTR activation (chloride/fluid secretion) + visceral analgesia
Purity (HPLC)≥98.0% (RP-HPLC, area normalization)
Peptide Content≥90%
AppearanceWhite to off-white lyophilized powder
Storage FormLyophilized powder (reconstitute in sterile water, PBS, or saline)
SolubilitySoluble in water and aqueous buffers (PBS, saline); practically insoluble in non-polar organic solvents
Endotoxin≤1.0 EU/mg
Water Content≤5.0%
Counter-ionAcetate
pH4.0 – 6.0 (1 mg/mL aqueous solution)
Heavy Metals≤10 ppm
Production MethodSolid-phase peptide synthesis (SPPS) → oxidative disulfide folding → RP-HPLC purification → lyophilization
Reference CompoundActive principle of Trulance (plecanatide) — FDA-approved for CIC and IBS-C
Storage-20°C, protected from light and moisture; avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles
GradeResearch Grade (RUO)
ApplicationsIBS-C, chronic constipation, GI motility, GC-C pharmacology, cGMP/CFTR signaling, visceral pain research
CertificationsISO 9001:2015, cGMP, FDA facility registration
Packaging1 mg / 5 mg / 10 mg / 50 mg sealed vials (lyophilized)
Shelf Life2 years when stored at -20°C as lyophilized powder
DisclaimerResearch Use Only (RUO) — not for human diagnostic or therapeutic use

Key Benefits — Plecanatide Research Peptide

GC-C Receptor Agonism — cGMP/CFTR Secretory Pathway

Plecanatide binds guanylate cyclase-C on intestinal epithelial cells, elevating cGMP to activate the CFTR chloride channel and drive chloride and fluid secretion into the lumen, accelerating GI transit through the same pathway as endogenous uroguanylin.

GC-C Agonist

Visceral Analgesia via cGMP Signaling

Beyond secretion, elevated cGMP reduces visceral hypersensitivity and pain signaling, delivering a dual secretory + analgesic profile that distinguishes GC-C agonists from osmotic and lubricant laxatives in GI research.

Dual Action

Two Disulfide Bonds for Receptor-Bound Conformation

Intramolecular disulfides at Cys4-Cys12 and Cys7-Cys15 lock plecanatide into its active, receptor-bound conformation, conferring the binding affinity and metabolic stability required for reproducible GC-C pharmacology studies.

2 Disulfides

≥98% HPLC Purity 16-aa Research Peptide

Produced by solid-phase peptide synthesis with oxidative folding and RP-HPLC purification, supplied as a white to off-white lyophilized powder with full COA, MS, and endotoxin documentation for research use.

≥98% HPLC

Applications

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS-C) Research

Study GC-C-mediated secretory and analgesic mechanisms in preclinical IBS-C models, using plecanatide as the active-principle reference standard for Trulance.

Chronic Constipation & GI Motility Studies

Investigate CFTR-driven fluid secretion and accelerated GI transit in models of chronic idiopathic constipation and intestinal motility disorders.

Guanylate Cyclase-C Pharmacology

Characterize ligand-receptor binding, cGMP dose-response, and downstream signaling of the GC-C receptor with a uroguanylin-analogue agonist.

cGMP/CFTR Ion-Channel Signaling

Probe cGMP-dependent CFTR chloride-channel activation and epithelial ion transport in intestinal and colonocyte cell systems.

Visceral Pain & Analgesia Research

Examine cGMP-mediated reduction of visceral hypersensitivity and pain signaling in gastrointestinal analgesia and nociception studies.

Peptide Reference Standard & Assay Development

Use as a ≥98% HPLC reference peptide for method validation, bioanalytical assay development, and comparative GC-C agonist screening.

Frequently Asked Questions

Plecanatide (CAS 467426-54-6) is a 16-amino-acid synthetic analogue of uroguanylin, the endogenous ligand of the guanylate cyclase-C (GC-C) receptor. It binds GC-C on the luminal surface of intestinal epithelial cells, elevating intracellular cGMP. The cGMP rise activates the CFTR chloride channel to drive chloride and fluid secretion into the intestinal lumen (increasing GI motility), while simultaneously reducing visceral hypersensitivity and pain signaling. This dual secretory + analgesic action distinguishes plecanatide from osmotic and lubricant laxatives.

Both are GC-C agonists for IBS-C and CIC, but they use distinct structural scaffolds. Plecanatide is a 16-amino-acid analogue of uroguanylin with two disulfide bonds (Cys4-Cys12, Cys7-Cys15) and pH-dependent activation that closely mimics endogenous uroguanylin. Linaclotide is a 14-amino-acid peptide with three disulfide bonds. Plecanatide’s lower pH sensitivity favors binding at the near-neutral pH of the proximal small intestine, more closely recapitulating native uroguanylin signaling.

Plecanatide is used in irritable bowel syndrome with constipation (IBS-C) research, chronic idiopathic constipation (CIC) and GI motility studies, guanylate cyclase-C pharmacology, cGMP/CFTR ion-channel signaling investigations, and visceral pain and analgesia research. As the active principle of the FDA-approved reference drug Trulance, it also serves as a peptide reference standard for assay development and comparative GC-C agonist screening.

Store plecanatide lyophilized powder at -20°C, protected from light and moisture, where it is stable for up to 2 years. Reconstitute in sterile water, PBS, or saline to the desired concentration immediately before use. Avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles — aliquot reconstituted peptide into single-use volumes and store aliquots at -20°C or -80°C. The acetate counter-ion and low endotoxin (≤1.0 EU/mg) specification support both in vitro and in vivo research applications.

Every shipment includes a COA (HPLC purity ≥98.0%, peptide content ≥90%, endotoxin ≤1.0 EU/mg, water content, heavy metals, pH, appearance), MSDS, HPLC chromatogram, and mass spectrometry (MS) data confirming molecular weight and disulfide-bond integrity. Manufacturing is supported by ISO 9001:2015, cGMP, and FDA facility registration. Plecanatide is supplied for Research Use Only (RUO) — not for human diagnostic or therapeutic use.