Oxytocin acetate is the acetate salt form of the endogenous cyclic nonapeptide oxytocin. The peptide contains a Cys1-Cys6 disulfide bridge and a C-terminal Gly-NH₂, with the acetate counterion providing a chemically defined salt form without altering the amino-acid sequence of the active peptide moiety.

This product is particularly relevant for quantitative receptor assays and analytical studies in which peptide identity, counterion composition and molar preparation need to be distinguished from the biological activity of the oxytocin sequence itself.

Product Information

Peptide Identity and Salt Form Are Separate Variables

Oxytocin and Oxytocin Acetate contain the same biologically active nine-residue peptide sequence. The distinction is chemical: the acetate product contains acetic acid as an associated counterion.

The peptide moiety itself has a molecular weight of approximately 1007.2 Da, whereas the defined 1:1 monoacetate composition has a molecular weight of approximately 1067.2 Da.

This difference becomes important when material is prepared on a molar rather than mass basis.

Quantitative Preparation of Oxytocin Acetate

For receptor binding, concentration–response or analytical calibration studies, peptide content should be separated conceptually from total lyophilized material mass.

Counterion, water and residual solvent can contribute to the measured dry weight. We recommend using lot-specific peptide content whenever precise molarity is required rather than assuming the entire vial mass corresponds to the 1007.2 Da peptide moiety.

OXTR Pharmacology

The active peptide binds the oxytocin receptor, a GPCR that commonly couples to G_q/11-dependent phospholipase C and intracellular Ca²⁺ signaling.

Oxytocin-receptor pharmacology is not completely isolated from the vasopressin receptor family. Oxytocin can also interact with vasopressin receptors, particularly V1a, at higher concentrations or in receptor systems with different expression levels.

For receptor-selectivity experiments, we recommend documenting the exact receptor subtype and maintaining matched ligand concentrations rather than assuming complete OXTR specificity.

Disulfide Integrity

Cys1 and Cys6 form the intramolecular disulfide bridge that creates the cyclic core of the molecule. Correct oxidative folding is therefore part of oxytocin molecular identity.

A reduced preparation containing free cysteine thiols is not structurally equivalent to the intended receptor-active cyclic peptide.

Research Applications

Oxytocin acetate can support OXTR binding and signaling assays, intracellular Ca²⁺ measurements, receptor pharmacology, endocrine peptide research and analytical method development where a defined acetate form is preferred.

Researchers interested in the peptide moiety without emphasizing a defined salt composition can review Oxytocin.

Custom oxytocin analogs and receptor-directed sequence variants can be evaluated through Chemical Peptide Synthesis.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Oxytocin Acetate a different amino-acid sequence from Oxytocin?

No. The peptide sequence is identical. Acetate describes the associated salt form.

What is the CAS number of Oxytocin Acetate?

The defined 1:1 Oxytocin monoacetate is associated with CAS 6233-83-6. CAS 50-56-6 refers to the Oxytocin peptide entity.

Does 1007.2 Da include the acetate counterion?

No. Approximately 1007.2 Da is the molecular weight of the peptide moiety. The 1:1 monoacetate reference composition is approximately 1067.2 Da.

Research Use Only.