[ Receptors & pathways ]
Agonist
A molecule that binds and activates a receptor — the mechanism most research peptides are studied for.
An agonist is a molecule that binds to a receptor and activates it, triggering the receptor's downstream signalling. Many research peptides are studied as agonists of a specific receptor — for example Ipamorelin at the GHS-R1a receptor, or Melanotan II across the melanocortin receptors.
A compound can be selective (activating mainly one receptor) or non-selective (activating several), and multi-agonists such as retatrutide are studied for activating several receptors at once. Selectivity is a central variable in receptor-pharmacology research.
[ Where this term is used ]
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