P21 / P021
CNTF-derived mimetic peptide
A neurogenic CNTF mimetic.
Half-life
~ short (intranasal research use)
Mol. weight
~ 985 g/mol (9-mer DGGLFEKKL; adamantyl-modified short variants ~578.7 g/mol)
Sequence
Asp-Gly-Gly-Leu-Phe-Glu-Lys-Lys-Leu (DGGLFEKKL) + adamantyl modification
Discussions
0 threads
Overview
A synthetic peptidomimetic derived from ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF), designed to activate the same neurotrophic signaling as CNTF without its unwanted peripheral effects (weight loss, muscle effects). It is researched for neurogenesis and cognitive enhancement, targeting hippocampal plasticity through the CNTF/gp130/JAK-STAT pathway.
Mechanism of action
P21 (also called P021) is a CNTF-derived mimetic designed to reproduce ciliary neurotrophic factor's neurotrophic and neurogenic signaling — which proceeds through the gp130/LIFR receptor complex and downstream JAK-STAT pathway — while avoiding the systemic effects that limited full CNTF. Preclinical research links it to increased hippocampal neurogenesis and synaptic plasticity, positioning it as a candidate for cognitive and neurodegenerative research.
Researched benefits
- Mimics CNTF neurotrophic signaling
- Researched for hippocampal neurogenesis
- Designed to avoid CNTF's peripheral side effects
Considerations
- Preclinical; limited human data
- Not approved for human use
- Research context only
Key Academic Literature & Studies
Search more in PubMedPeer-reviewed citations and clinical trials evaluating P21 / P021 in scientific literature.
Query PubMed for recent peer-reviewed preclinical and clinical publications on P21 / P021:
View P21 / P021 index on PubMed (NCBI)