DEFINITION
Native GLP-1 refers to the endogenous incretin hormone glucagon-like peptide-1 secreted by intestinal L-cells, circulating principally as GLP-1(7-37) and GLP-1(7-36)amide.
It is rapidly cleaved by the plasma enzyme dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4), giving a plasma half-life of only 1–2 minutes. This pharmacokinetic constraint motivated the design of long-acting GLP-1 receptor agonists such as Semaglutide.
WHY IT MATTERS
Native GLP-1 is the biological reference against which all GLP-1 receptor agonists are engineered.
RELATED
Compounds