Bachem hepcidin is a research-grade synthetic peptide used to study iron metabolism. Learn what it is, typical specs, storage, and COA details.
Bachem hepcidin is the synthetic hepcidin peptide that Bachem, a Swiss peptide manufacturer, sells for laboratory research. Bachem catalogs hepcidin-25 (human) and related isoforms as research-grade reagents with lot-specific purity data. The peptide is not approved for human or veterinary use, so it is handled strictly as an in vitro and animal-study tool.
What Hepcidin Does in the Body
Hepcidin is a 25-amino-acid hormone made mainly in the liver. It binds ferroportin, the only known iron exporter in mammals, and causes ferroportin to be internalized and degraded. That action reduces iron release from enterocytes, macrophages, and hepatocytes.
Because hepcidin sits at the center of iron homeostasis, it is a key target in research on anemia of inflammation, hemochromatosis, and chronic kidney disease. Higher hepcidin levels typically mean lower circulating iron; lower hepcidin levels typically mean more iron absorption.
Bachem Hepcidin Product Details
Bachem lists hepcidin products with sequence, molecular weight, counterion, and purity. Most research-grade lots are supplied as a lyophilized powder with at least 95% purity by HPLC. The bachem company has manufactured peptides at scale for decades, which is one reason academic and industry labs look to it for hard-to-synthesize sequences.
Each shipment includes a bachem coa, or certificate of analysis, that reports the lot number, appearance, purity, and mass spectrometry confirmation. Researchers should file that document with their lab notebook because it is the primary record of peptide identity and quality.
| Attribute | Typical specification |
|---|---|
| Sequence | 25 amino acids (human hepcidin-25) |
| Molecular weight | Approximately 2,789 Da |
| Purity | At least 95% by HPLC |
| Form | Lyophilized powder |
| Counterion | Trifluoroacetate (TFA) |
| Storage | -20°C, desiccated, protected from light |
| Documentation | Certificate of analysis with HPLC and MS data |
Hepcidin Isoforms and Species Variants
Hepcidin is not a single molecule. The 25-amino-acid form is the main bioactive hormone, but truncated forms circulate as well. Bachem and other suppliers offer several isoforms and species variants so researchers can match the peptide to their model system.
| Variant | Length | Common research use |
|---|---|---|
| Hepcidin-25 (human) | 25 aa | Primary bioactive form; ferroportin binding and iron studies |
| Hepcidin-20 (human) | 20 aa | N-terminally truncated form; comparator or control |
| Hepcidin-22 (human) | 22 aa | Minor circulating isoform; isoform-specific assays |
| Mouse hepcidin-1 | 25 aa | Rodent models of inflammation and iron overload |
| Rat hepcidin | 25 aa | Rat models of anemia and kidney disease |
How Labs Use Bachem Hepcidin
Most published work with synthetic hepcidin is done in cell culture or animal models. Typical experiments include:
- Treating macrophages or hepatocytes to measure ferroportin degradation.
- Injecting mice or rats to induce hypoferremia and study iron trafficking.
- Validating immunoassays and mass spectrometry methods for endogenous hepcidin.
- Testing hepcidin antagonists or iron-chelator strategies in vitro.
Doses and timelines vary widely by model, so researchers should follow published protocols and their institution's animal care guidelines. A synthetic peptide can behave differently from endogenous hepcidin, especially if the counterion, disulfide folding, or purity differs.
What to Check Before You Order
Before purchasing any research peptide, confirm four things:
- Sequence and isoform: human hepcidin-25 is not the same as mouse hepcidin-1 or truncated hepcidin-20.
- Purity method: HPLC purity above 95% is common for research-grade material.
- Counterion: TFA is standard, but some cell-based assays prefer acetate or hydrochloride salts.
- Documentation: a lot-specific certificate of analysis should accompany the shipment.
If a supplier cannot provide a current certificate of analysis, treat that as a red flag. Reproducible iron biology depends on knowing exactly what peptide went into the experiment.
Quality, Documentation, and Sourcing
Bachem's peptide portfolio goes well beyond hepcidin. The same catalog includes bachem amino acids, resins, and building blocks for custom synthesis. For labs that need modified or labeled hepcidin, custom synthesis is usually the route.
Beyond peptides, bachem oligonucleotide manufacturing serves the nucleic acid side of drug development. Researchers comparing suppliers sometimes search for a peptide sciences discount code, but price should not be the only factor. Sequence fidelity, counterion, and lot documentation matter more for reproducible iron biology.
Safety and Legal Status
Bachem hepcidin is sold for research use only. It is not a dietary supplement, drug, or therapeutic, and it is not FDA-approved for human use. Any human or veterinary application would require separate regulatory review and clinical trials.
In the lab, handle lyophilized peptide with gloves and eye protection. Reconstitute in sterile water or buffer according to the datasheet, aliquot to avoid freeze-thaw cycles, and store at -20°C or below. Consult a healthcare professional or institutional biosafety officer if you have questions about handling or exposure.
Key Takeaways
- Bachem hepcidin is a research-grade synthetic peptide, not a medicine.
- Hepcidin-25 is the primary bioactive form and binds ferroportin.
- A certificate of analysis is the main quality document for each lot.
- Storage at -20°C and avoiding repeated freeze-thaw cycles protect peptide integrity.
- Researchers should choose isoforms and species variants that match their model.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bachem hepcidin approved for human use?
No. Bachem hepcidin is sold for research use only and is not FDA-approved for human or veterinary use. It is not a dietary supplement or a therapeutic drug, and any clinical application would require separate regulatory review.
What is the difference between hepcidin-25 and other hepcidin isoforms?
Hepcidin-25 is the primary bioactive form of the hormone and the version most researchers use. Truncated isoforms such as hepcidin-20 and hepcidin-22 circulate in smaller amounts and are often used as comparators or controls. Species variants like mouse hepcidin-1 are used in rodent models.
How should Bachem hepcidin be stored and reconstituted?
Store the lyophilized powder at -20°C in a desiccated container, protected from light. Reconstitute with sterile water or buffer according to the certificate of analysis, then aliquot into single-use portions. Avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles because they can degrade the peptide.
This page provides educational research information and does not replace medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.