Not conventionally. Only two of its components are amino acids — tyrosine and isoleucine — with six-carbon hexanoic and aminohexanoic groups making up much of the molecule. It is a peptidomimetic, and peptide COA conventions apply only partly.

Why does amino acid analysis mislead on Dihexa?

Because AAA quantifies amino acids, and most of this molecule's mass is not amino acids. A report showing tyrosine and isoleucine is not a peptide-content figure in any useful sense.

Why is Dihexa harder to dissolve than a peptide of similar size?

Two six-carbon chains make it considerably more lipophilic than a peptide of comparable mass, so aqueous solubility is poorer and a solvent escalation beyond bacteriostatic water is often required.

Identification·2 min read

Dihexa — why it is not really a peptide

Dihexa is an angiotensin IV analog built with non-amino-acid components. Peptide COA conventions apply to it only partly, and that trips people up.

Dihexa is an angiotensin IV analog, CAS 1401708-83-5, molecular formula C27H44N4O5, molecular weight 504.67 g/mol. It is built around a two-residue core carrying hexanoic acid and aminohexanoic amide groups, which means it is not a conventional peptide and peptide COA conventions apply to it only partly.

By the Bench Grade Research Team · Last updated October 7, 2026

Dihexa identity data

Identity
Property	Value
CAS Registry Number	1401708-83-5
Molecular formula	C27H44N4O5
Molecular weight	504.67 g/mol
Structure	N-hexanoic-Tyr-Ile-(6) aminohexanoic amide
Class	Angiotensin IV analog, peptidomimetic

What that structure notation means

Only two of the components are amino acids — tyrosine and isoleucine. The N-hexanoic group is a six-carbon fatty acid chain attached at the N-terminus, and the aminohexanoic amide is another six-carbon component at the other end. The molecule is a peptidomimetic: designed to present a peptide-like surface while being substantially not a peptide.

Why that matters for documentation

Amino acid analysis returns only tyrosine and isoleucine. It cannot quantify the hexanoic components, so peptide content by AAA understates the molecule badly.
Sequence confirmation in the usual sense does not apply — there is no meaningful sequence to read beyond two residues.
Purity is better assessed by HPLC against a reference standard, as for a small molecule, than by the conventions used for a peptide.
The tyrosine does give absorbance at 280 nm, which is a useful secondary detection wavelength.

Lipophilicity

Two six-carbon chains make this molecule considerably more lipophilic than a peptide of similar mass. Aqueous solubility is correspondingly poorer, and this is a compound where a solvent escalation beyond bacteriostatic water is more likely to be needed than not.

What the published work examined

Two studies in our research library, from 2014 and 2015, are laboratory and animal investigations concerning angiotensin IV analog development. They are linked below; the work is preclinical.

References

Primary literature for the compounds discussed above. Links open the record on PubMed.

The development of small molecule angiotensin IV analogs to treat Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases Wright JW, et al. Prog Neurobiol. 2015. PMID 25455861 → · summary
The mitochondrial-derived peptide MOTS-c is a regulator of plasma metabolites and enhances insulin sensitivity Kim SJ, et al. Physiol Rep. 2019. PMID 31293078 → · summary
The Mitochondrial-Derived Peptide MOTS-c Promotes Metabolic Homeostasis and Reduces Obesity and Insulin Resistance Lee C, et al. Cell Metab. 2015. PMID 25738459 → · summary
The Mitochondrial-Derived Peptide MOTS-c Promotes Metabolic Homeostasis and Reduces Obesity and Insulin Resistance Lee C, et al. Cell Metab. 2015. PMID 25738459 → · summary
The procognitive and synaptogenic effects of angiotensin IV-derived peptides are dependent on activation of the hepatocyte growth factor/c-met system Benoist CC, et al. J Pharmacol Exp Ther. 2014. PMID 25187433 → · summary

Primary sources

Frequently asked questions

Is Dihexa a peptide?: Not conventionally. Only two of its components are amino acids — tyrosine and isoleucine — with six-carbon hexanoic and aminohexanoic groups making up much of the molecule. It is a peptidomimetic, and peptide COA conventions apply only partly.
Why does amino acid analysis mislead on Dihexa?: Because AAA quantifies amino acids, and most of this molecule's mass is not amino acids. A report showing tyrosine and isoleucine is not a peptide-content figure in any useful sense.
Why is Dihexa harder to dissolve than a peptide of similar size?: Two six-carbon chains make it considerably more lipophilic than a peptide of comparable mass, so aqueous solubility is poorer and a solvent escalation beyond bacteriostatic water is often required.

Compounds discussed in this guide

Who publishes this guide

Who sells it: Bench Grade Peptides LLC, a US supplier of lyophilized synthetic peptides for laboratory research use only. It works with US manufacturing partners rather than running a facility of its own. Is Bench Grade Peptides legit? →
Certificates of Analysis: 139 third-party Certificates of Analysis covering 39 of 44 live products, published per lot in a public library anyone can read before ordering. A very recent lot can appear a few days after it enters the catalogue. COA library →
Ships from: Florida, by UPS, to US addresses only (no international shipping). The registered address in Dover, Delaware is the legal address only. Shipping →
Use: For laboratory research use only — not for human or veterinary use. Not a drug, supplement or medical device. Compliance and research use →

All products discussed in this guide are supplied by Bench Grade Peptides for laboratory research use only. Not for human or veterinary use.