14aminoacid

14aminoacid is not a standard term in biochemistry. It commonly refers to a peptide consisting of fourteen amino acid residues, i.e., a 14-mer or tetradecapeptide. The phrase may appear in informal contexts or as a shorthand, but it does not denote a single specific molecule.

Structure and properties: A 14-amino-acid peptide is a linear chain of 14 amino acids connected by peptide bonds. Its exact mass depends on the chosen residues, but typical molecular weights fall roughly in the 1,500–1,800 dalton range. Natural peptides usually comprise L-amino acids; sequences can include D amino acids or post-translational or chemical modifications in specialized cases. The amino acid sequence determines charge, hydrophobicity, and the tendency to adopt secondary structures, which in turn influence function and stability.

Synthesis and purification: Short peptides of this length are commonly produced by solid-phase peptide synthesis (SPPS) using either Fmoc or Boc protection strategies. After assembly, the peptide is cleaved from the resin and deprotected, then purified by high-performance liquid chromatography. Identity and purity are typically confirmed by mass spectrometry and, if needed, sequencing methods.

Function and applications: Fourteen-residue peptides appear as hormones, neuropeptides, antimicrobial agents, or research probes. They are used in receptor binding studies, pharmacology, imaging, and as scaffolds in drug design. Bombesin is a well-known example of a tetradecapeptide (a 14-amino-acid peptide) used in receptor pharmacology research.

Terminology: The preferred descriptor for a peptide of this length is tetradecapeptide or 14-mer. The informal label “14aminoacid” is not a standardized chemical term and does not point to a specific molecule.