exendin-3

Exendin-3 is a 39-amino acid peptide naturally occurring in the venom of the Gila monster (*Heloderma horridum*). It belongs to the glucagon superfamily and serves as a potent agonist of the glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor (GLP-1R). Structurally, it is closely related to exendin-4 (exenatide), differing by only two amino acids at the N-terminus. While primarily used as a research tool to study GLP-1R signaling and pancreatic acinar function, exendin-3 has been investigated as a radiolabeled imaging agent (e.g., 68Ga-labeled exendin-3) for the localization of insulinomas using positron emission tomography (PET). At high concentrations, it also exhibits cross-reactivity with vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) receptors. It is not currently marketed as a commercial therapeutic pharmaceutical.

Other names

exendin 3exendin3exendin-3