PACAP 6-38

PACAP 6-38 is a truncated peptide fragment of the endogenous neuropeptide pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP-38), consisting of amino acid residues 6 through 38. It is widely utilized in pharmacological research as a potent and selective competitive antagonist of the **PAC1 receptor**, although it also exhibits antagonistic activity at the **VPAC2 receptor**. In preclinical studies, PACAP 6-38 is used to investigate the role of PACAP signaling in diverse physiological and pathological conditions, including chronic pain (such as neuropathic pain and Parkinson's disease-related hyperalgesia), stress-induced drug seeking, neuroinflammation, and learning and memory consolidation. Interestingly, it has also been identified as a functional antagonist for the **cocaine- and amphetamine-regulated transcript (CART) receptor**. While it is a critical tool in neuroscience and pharmacology research, it is currently employed as a research reagent rather than a clinical therapeutic asset.

Other names

pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide 6-38PACAP(6-38)