maxadilan

Maxadilan is a potent vasodilator peptide originally isolated from the salivary glands of the sand fly Lutzomyia longipalpis. It acts as a highly selective and specific agonist of the pituitary adenylate cyclase activating polypeptide type I receptor (PAC1 receptor), which is part of the class B G-protein-coupled receptor family. Activation of PAC1 by maxadilan leads to increased intracellular cAMP levels in target cells, resulting in pronounced vasodilation and immunomodulatory effects. Maxadilan has been used as a pharmacodynamic biomarker in early clinical studies for PAC1 antagonists, particularly in migraine research, due to its robust and reproducible effect on dermal blood flow following intradermal administration. It also exhibits immunosuppressive properties by inhibiting splenocyte proliferation and modulating cytokine production by macrophages[3][4][5][6][7].

Other names

maxadilan protein, insectMaxadilan trifluoroacetate salt135374-80-0