SNAP-8 is the trade name commonly used for acetyl octapeptide-3, a synthetic peptide inspired by the N-terminal region of SNAP-25. Its proposed use as a vesicle-fusion research probe should be separated from marketing shorthand about “botox-like” activity.
What Are the Key SNAP-8 Research Specifications?
| Specification | Research record |
|---|---|
| Compound | SNAP-8 |
| Category | misc |
| Listed purity | >99% |
| Molecular weight | 1073.2 g/mol |
| Intended use | Laboratory research only |
What is the structure and molecular weight of SNAP-8?
The defined peptide is Ac-Glu-Glu-Met-Gln-Arg-Arg-Ala-Asp-NH2. PubChem lists formula C42H72N16O15S and average molecular mass 1073.2 g/mol. A value near 888 g/mol is inconsistent with the complete N-acetylated, C-amidated octapeptide. Both terminal modifications and the oxidation state of methionine should be confirmed.
How is SNAP-8 proposed to work?
SNAP-8 was designed as an extension of acetyl hexapeptide-8, itself modelled on a SNAP-25 sequence involved in the SNARE complex. The proposed mechanism is competition with protein–protein interactions required for vesicle fusion. However, evidence for acetyl octapeptide-3 is far thinner than the extensive structural literature on native neuronal SNARE proteins, and topical or cell assays face a major delivery problem: this large, highly polar peptide does not automatically cross membranes or intact skin.
Mechanistic wording should therefore remain conditional unless intracellular exposure and a SNARE-proximal effect are measured directly.
Which experiments can test the hypothesis?
Distinguish extracellular exposure from cytosolic delivery. Include a fluorescently labelled uptake study with controls for surface-bound signal, a scrambled peptide, acetyl hexapeptide-8 as a comparator and a known SNARE perturbation as a positive control. Measure vesicle release or complex assembly rather than relying only on morphology. Test cytotoxicity independently.
How Should SNAP-8 Be Handled and Verified?
Confirm sequence, N-acetylation, C-amidation, intact mass and methionine oxidation. Use low-binding tubes and qualify recovery in the assay buffer. Avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles and prolonged exposure to oxidizing conditions. For formulated material, account for carriers and excipients; the nominal concentration of a blend is not the concentration of acetyl octapeptide-3.
Which Sources Support SNAP-8 Research?
- PubChem chemical record for acetyl octapeptide-3: CID 71587832.
- Blanes-Mira et al., design context for SNAP-25-derived cosmetic peptides, International Journal of Cosmetic Science (2002), DOI: 10.1046/j.1467-2494.2002.00153.x.
How Can SNAP-8 Results Be Interpreted Without Overclaiming?
The strongest SNAP-8 evidence connects identity to mechanism to phenotype in that order. For SNAP-8, chemical identity, target engagement and downstream phenotype are separate layers. A change in migration, viability or gene expression does not by itself prove the proposed molecular target. A useful study includes an orthogonal analytical identity check, a target-dependent perturbation and a second assay that measures the same biology by a different method. This design makes a positive result easier to reproduce and a negative result easier to interpret.
For citation-ready SNAP-8 reporting, provide raw concentration units, biological replicate counts, prespecified exclusions and the exact time point. Separate exploratory endpoints from confirmatory ones. If exposure was not measured, describe potency as nominal rather than intracellular or free concentration. Limit the conclusion to the model used; avoid converting a pathway observation into a claim about clinical benefit.
Is SNAP-8 for Research Use Only?
SNAP-8 is supplied for laboratory research only. It is not for human or veterinary use.
Browse Miscellaneous Research Peptides
What Are Common Questions About SNAP-8?
What is SNAP-8?
SNAP-8 is the trade name commonly used for acetyl octapeptide-3, a synthetic peptide inspired by the N-terminal region of SNAP-25. Its proposed use as a vesicle-fusion research probe should be separated from marketing shorthand about “botox-like” activity.
How should researchers verify SNAP-8?
Confirm the exact molecular form on the lot certificate and pair chromatographic purity with an orthogonal identity method such as mass spectrometry or NMR. Use the molecular weight, counterion and content stated for that verified form when calculating molarity.
Is SNAP-8 intended for human use?
SNAP-8 is listed for controlled laboratory research only. It is not intended for human or veterinary use.