Des-gamma-carboxylated Osteocalcin (1-49), human

Product Name: Des-gamma-carboxylated Osteocalcin (1-49), human - 0.25 mg

Sequence One Letter Code: YLYQWLGAPVPYPDPLEPRREVCELNPDCDELADHIGFQEAYRRFYGPV (Disulfide bridge:C23-29)

Sequence Three Letter Code: H-Tyr-Leu-Tyr-Gln-Trp-Leu-Gly-Ala-Pro-Val-Pro-Tyr-Pro-Asp-Pro-Leu-Glu-Pro-Arg-Arg-Glu-Val-Cys-Glu-Leu-Asn-Pro-Asp-Cys-Asp-Glu-Leu-Ala-Asp-His-Ile-Gly-Phe-Gln-Glu-Ala-Tyr-Arg-Arg-Phe-Tyr-Gly-Pro-Val-OH (Disulfide bridge:C23-29)

Chemical Formula:C266H381N67O76S2

Molecular Weight: 5797.8

Purity: 95%

Form: Lyophilized

Storage Conditions: - 20 °C

Research Area: Peptide Series

Source / Species: Human, gorilla

Conjugation: Unconjugated

Code Nacres: NA.26

Application: Des-γ-carboxylated osteocalcin (1–49) is a synthetic human osteocalcin fragment lacking γ-carboxylation at specific glutamate residues. Osteocalcin is the most abundant non-collagenous protein in bone extracellular matrix and is secreted by osteoblasts during bone formation. The under-carboxylated form serves as a substrate for vitamin K–dependent γ-glutamyl carboxylase, which converts glutamate residues to γ-carboxyglutamate, a modification essential for calcium binding and bone mineralization. This peptide is widely used in studies of bone metabolism, vitamin K biology, and post-translational modification mechanisms. It also supports research into the endocrine functions of osteocalcin, including its emerging roles in glucose metabolism and bone–energy homeostasis signaling.

Current Research: Osteocalcin is a small, non-collagenous protein produced primarily by osteoblasts during bone formation and represents one of the most abundant proteins within the bone extracellular matrix. It plays a crucial role in skeletal development and mineralization through its ability to bind calcium ions and hydroxyapatite crystals. This function depends on a specialized post-translational modification in which specific glutamate residues are converted to γ-carboxyglutamate (Gla) by the enzyme vitamin K–dependent γ-glutamyl carboxylase. The unmodified precursor form, known as des-γ-carboxylated osteocalcin, lacks this modification and therefore provides an important substrate for studying the enzymatic mechanisms responsible for osteocalcin maturation. The synthetic peptide Des-γ-carboxylated osteocalcin (1–49) has become an important reagent in research exploring bone metabolism, vitamin K–dependent modifications, and the emerging endocrine functions of osteocalcin. One major area of current investigation focuses on the biochemistry of vitamin K–dependent carboxylation. γ-Glutamyl carboxylase catalyzes the conversion of specific glutamate residues within osteocalcin to γ-carboxyglutamate, a modification that enhances calcium-binding capacity. This reaction requires reduced vitamin K as a cofactor and plays an essential role in producing functional osteocalcin capable of interacting with mineral components of bone. By using des-γ-carboxylated osteocalcin as a defined substrate, researchers can study enzyme kinetics, cofactor requirements, and catalytic mechanisms involved in this post-translational modification. Such studies help clarify how vitamin K availability influences bone protein maturation and skeletal health. Another important research focus involves understanding how carboxylation status affects osteocalcin’s role in bone mineralization. Fully carboxylated osteocalcin binds strongly to hydroxyapatite crystals in the bone matrix, helping regulate mineral deposition and structural organization of bone tissue. In contrast, under-carboxylated osteocalcin displays reduced affinity for mineral surfaces and may remain more readily available in circulation. Synthetic peptides representing the under-carboxylated form provide controlled systems for investigating how structural modifications influence calcium binding, mineral interaction, and matrix assembly during bone formation. Beyond its structural role in bone, osteocalcin has gained attention for its hormone-like endocrine functions. Recent studies suggest that circulating under-carboxylated osteocalcin may act as a signaling molecule that influences systemic metabolic processes. Experimental evidence has indicated potential roles in regulating glucose metabolism, insulin secretion, and energy homeostasis. Research using defined osteocalcin peptides allows investigators to examine how different forms of the protein interact with cellular receptors and metabolic pathways. These studies are contributing to the growing field of bone–energy metabolism cross-talk, which explores how skeletal tissue communicates with other metabolic organs. The peptide is also valuable in research examining the relationship between vitamin K nutrition and metabolic health. Vitamin K deficiency can impair γ-carboxylation of osteocalcin and other vitamin K–dependent proteins. By studying how under-carboxylated osteocalcin is processed by γ-glutamyl carboxylase, researchers can better understand how nutritional status influences bone metabolism and systemic physiological processes. Such investigations are relevant for evaluating potential connections between vitamin K intake, bone density, and metabolic disorders. Another area of ongoing research involves the use of osteocalcin fragments in analytical and biomarker studies. Circulating levels of under-carboxylated osteocalcin have been investigated as indicators of vitamin K status and bone turnover. Synthetic peptides such as Des-γ-carboxylated osteocalcin (1–49) are often used as reference materials in biochemical assays designed to detect or quantify osteocalcin variants in biological samples. In addition, the peptide supports mechanistic studies of post-translational modification pathways beyond bone biology. The vitamin K–dependent carboxylation system also modifies several proteins involved in blood coagulation and other physiological processes. Using osteocalcin-derived substrates provides researchers with a model system for exploring how γ-glutamyl carboxylase recognizes substrate sequences and regulates modification efficiency. In summary, Des-γ-carboxylated osteocalcin (1–49) is an important research peptide used to investigate vitamin K–dependent carboxylation, bone mineralization mechanisms, and the emerging endocrine roles of osteocalcin. By serving as a defined substrate for enzymatic studies and a model for under-carboxylated osteocalcin biology, this peptide contributes to advancing knowledge in skeletal physiology, metabolic regulation, and post-translational modification pathways.