Research library / Compounds

What is peptide?

A cell-permeable tetrapeptide designed to reach the inner mitochondrial membrane.

is a synthetic four-amino-acid peptide designed to enter cells and concentrate at the inner mitochondrial membrane. It comes from the Szeto–Schiller series of peptides developed in the early 2000s; in clinical literature the same molecule is called elamipretide. Prism Labs supplies it as a 10 mg lyophilized vial.

Prism Labs editorial · Updated September 10, 2026 · 3 min read

Lyophilized vial10mg · 99.27% purity$44.99View product

What it is

Its sequence is D-Arg–Dmt–Lys–Phe-NH2, where Dmt is 2′,6′-dimethyltyrosine and the chain ends in an amide. It alternates positively charged and aromatic residues, a pattern its developers linked to its ability to cross cell membranes.

The reference record lists the formula C32H49N9O5 and a molecular weight of 639.8 g/mol (PubChem CID 11764719). Because it contains a D-amino acid and a non-standard residue, check the identity result on the COA rather than relying on a sequence alone.

Sources: [1] The AAPS Journal · 2006 · [5] International Journal of Molecular Sciences · 2025 · [6] PubChem · reference structure

Where it came from

Hazel Szeto and Peter Schiller developed a family of small aromatic-cationic peptides, the SS peptides, and reported in the mid-2000s that some of them concentrate in mitochondria.

Later work focused on cardiolipin, a lipid of the inner mitochondrial membrane. A 2013 study examined how interacts with it, and a 2020 study mapped the mitochondrial proteins it interacts with.

Sources: [1] The AAPS Journal · 2006 · [2] Biochemical Pharmacology · 2005 · [3] Journal of the American Society of Nephrology · 2013 · [4] PNAS · 2020

Lyophilized vial from Prism Labs — Every lot ships with its own certificate of analysis.

What researchers have studied

Most published work comes from cell and animal models:

Mitochondrial membrane potential and oxidative stress in cell models.
Cardiolipin binding and the structure of the inner membrane.
Protein interactions inside mitochondria.

A 2025 review summarizes its structure and mechanism.

These are observations in laboratory models. They are not evidence about any use in people.

Sources: [2] Biochemical Pharmacology · 2005 · [3] Journal of the American Society of Nephrology · 2013 · [4] PNAS · 2020 · [5] International Journal of Molecular Sciences · 2025

Mitochondria-targeted vs mitochondrial-derived

is often mentioned alongside , but they are unrelated. is synthetic and reaches mitochondria from outside; is encoded by mitochondrial DNA. Read more: What is ?

How it is supplied and stored

ships as a lyophilized (freeze-dried) powder in 10 mg vials. The powder is stable at room temperature in transit. For lab use it is reconstituted with bacteriostatic water such as .

Concentration is content divided by volume: 10 mg in 2 mL gives 5 mg per mL. The reconstitution calculator handles other combinations.

For storage before and after reconstitution, see how to store lyophilized peptides.

How to verify a batch

Every lot has its own certificate of analysis from an independent lab. Read three results separately:

Identity: confirms the expected compound was detected.
Purity: the share of the measured material that is the intended compound.
Content: the amount measured, compared with the label.

Then match the lot number on your vial or bottle to the report, and use the report’s verification link to confirm it with the testing lab. Step by step: how to read a peptide COA.