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GRGDSPC is a 7-residue peptide that contains the canonical integrin-recognition motif Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD) with a C-terminal cysteine (G-R-G-D-S-P-C). The Cys provides a free thiol for site-specific immobilization to biomaterials (maleimide, gold, or disulfide chemistry), making GRGDSPC a practical ligand for decorating scaffolds, hydrogels and nanoparticles to promote cell-matrix interactions.
Molecular details
Sequence: GRGDSPC (Gly-Arg-Gly-Asp-Ser-Pro-Cys). Typical analytical values for synthetic GRGDSPC: MW ≈ 690.7 Da, formula ~C₂₅H₄₂N₁₀O₁₁S (commercial product specifications). Presentation (linear vs. cyclic, density, spacer length) and local secondary structure around the RGD motif strongly influence integrin selectivity and potency.
Functional roles & mechanism
The RGD tripeptide is the primary recognition element for many RGD-binding integrins (e.g., αvβ3, α5β1, αvβ6) and recapitulates adhesion signals of ECM proteins such as fibronectin and vitronectin. Immobilized GRGDSPC supports integrin engagement, focal adhesion formation and downstream signaling that control cell attachment, spreading, survival and proliferation. Soluble presentation of RGD peptides can competitively inhibit integrin-mediated adhesion.
Applications (peer-reviewed evidence)
• Tissue engineering / scaffold functionalization: Covalent coupling of GRGDSPC to decellularized organ scaffolds (e.g., pancreatic scaffolds) significantly improves re-endothelialization, HUVEC survival/proliferation and angiogenesis in vitro and in vivo.
• Biomaterial optimization: PLGA and other polymeric scaffolds modified with GRGDSPC show enhanced cell attachment and osteogenic/vascular responses in bone and soft-tissue constructs.
• Drug delivery & imaging: RGD-functionalized nanoparticles and conjugates target tumor vasculature and enhance delivery/contrast in preclinical cancer models.
• Basic biology: RGD peptides rapidly modulate intracellular signaling (e.g., integrin-NMDA crosstalk in neurons), underlining that RGD engagement affects both mechanical adhesion and biochemical signaling.
Practical considerations
Immobilization chemistry (thiol coupling via the Cys), peptide density, orientation, spacer/linker length, and whether the RGD is linear or cyclized all determine which integrin subtypes are engaged and the biological outcome—design these parameters to match your target cell type and application.
Key peer-reviewed references
Wan J. et al., Artif Organs 2020 (GRGDSPC on decellularized pancreatic scaffolds).
Tao C. et al., Int J Biol Macromol 2014 (development/characterization of GRGDSPC-modified PLGA scaffolds).
Ruoslahti E., FASEB J 1996 (RGD motif and integrin recognition).
Ludwig B.S. et al., Front. Cell Dev. Biol. 2021 (RGD-binding integrin review).
Assa-Munt N. et al., J Mol Biol 2001 (RGD peptide structure–activity relationships).
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