Orexin A: research overview
What Orexin A is
Orexin A, also called hypocretin-1, is a neuropeptide produced by neurons in the lateral hypothalamus. It is built from 33 amino acids and belongs to the orexin family together with orexin B. Both peptides were discovered in the late 1990s by two independent research teams, and their name reflects the role they play in arousal signalling.
The molecule contains two disulfide bridges that stabilise its three-dimensional structure. That structure determines how the peptide recognises its receptors in research settings.
Mechanism described in research
Orexin A binds two G protein-coupled receptors, OX1R and OX2R. Activating them triggers signalling pathways that depend on intracellular calcium. According to the literature, orexin A binds both receptors with high affinity, while orexin B shows a clear preference for OX2R.
This makes Orexin A a widely used tool for studying orexin signalling in vitro, and in tissue and animal models.
Research areas
- OX1R and OX2R signalling in cell cultures
- regulation of sleep and wakefulness in animal models
- the role of hypothalamic neurons in sustaining arousal
- energy homeostasis and appetite in animal studies
- links between orexins, reward circuits and motivation
- narcolepsy as a research model, since loss of orexin-producing neurons has been described in this disorder
Product specification
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Name | Orexin A, hypocretin-1 |
| Category | Neuropeptides |
| Chain length | 33 amino acids |
| Form | Lyophilized powder |
| Purity | 99%+ (HPLC) |
| Mass confirmation | Mass spectrometry (MS) |
| Available sizes | 10 mg |
Working in the laboratory
Storage
- Keep the lyophilized powder at -20 °C, away from light and moisture.
- Once dissolved, keep the solution at 2-8 °C and use it within a sensible time frame.
- Avoid repeated freezing and thawing, and split larger volumes into aliquots.
Dissolving and reconstitution
Let the vial reach room temperature before opening it, so that moisture does not condense on the powder. The solvent’s job is to bring the peptide into solution at a known concentration. Bacteriostatic water is the standard laboratory choice. If the peptide dissolves poorly in water, dilute acetic acid is used instead. Calculate your working concentration with our calculator before you start.
Batch quality
Every batch is tested by HPLC, which confirms purity of at least 99%. We verify molecular mass by mass spectrometry (MS). You can read more about our control process on the quality page.
Related products
- Orexin B: the second orexin, with a stronger preference for OX2R
- Selank: a neuropeptide from the same category, used in comparative nervous system research
- Semax: a neuropeptide from the same category, studied in models of cognitive function
Browse all neuropeptides in the neuropeptides category. Check our quality standards and use the concentration calculator to work out the solution for your project.
