muramyl dipeptide

Muramyl dipeptide is a synthetic immunologically active glycopeptide corresponding to the minimal bioactive peptidoglycan motif present in the cell walls of both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria[2][3][8]. It consists of N-acetylmuramic acid (MurNAc) linked to L-alanine and D-isoglutamine[8]. Muramyl dipeptide is recognized by the nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain 2 (NOD2) protein, a cytoplasmic pattern recognition receptor important for innate immune system activation[3][5][8]. Upon recognition by NOD2, muramyl dipeptide triggers intracellular signaling leading to activation of the NF-κB and MAPK pathways, resulting in expression of multiple pro-inflammatory cytokines (notably IL-1α, IL-1β, and TNF), and can activate the NALP3 inflammasome[3][6][8]. It is considered a potent immunological adjuvant, capable of stimulating both cellular and humoral immunity, and can enhance hematopoiesis and activate macrophages[1][2][8]. Muramyl dipeptide has been investigated as a postbiotic for treatment of inflammatory diseases such as colitis, and as a component (and scaffold for analogues) in cancer immunotherapy research and adjuvant formulations[5][7][8]. Its clinical development as a standalone immunotherapy agent is limited; several analogs (mifamurtide, romurtide) are in clinical use or development.

Other names

muramyldipeptideN-acetylmuramyl-L-alanyl-D-isoglutamineacetylmuramyl-alanyl-isoglutamineD-alpha-Glutamine N2-(N-(N-acetyl-beta-allo-muramoyl)-L-alanyl)-Acetylmuramyl Alanyl IsoglutamineN-acetylmuramoyl-L-alanyl-D-α-glutamineN-acetylmuramyl-L-alanyl-D-isoglutamine hydrateN-ACETYL-MURAMYL-L-ALA-D-ISOGLUTAMINEMuramyl Dipeptide USP/EP/BP53678-77-687420-48-2CHEBI:59414Q27453912Q-27453912Q 27453912ADJUVANT PEPTIDE