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What is a Dipeptide?

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

A dipeptide is a peptide chain which includes two amino acids. Numerous dipeptides are found in nature, performing a variety of functions, and they can also be made in laboratory environments. Dipeptides have a number of commercial and industrial uses in addition to playing an important role in the biology of many species on Earth. Researchers who work with amino acids are often interested in identifying dipeptides and learning about their function, in addition to researching known dipeptides to learn more about them.

Peptides in general are chains of amino acids. Short chains may be known by terms which indicate the number of amino acids in the grouping, as in the case of dipeptides, while longer chains are known simply as polypeptides, referencing the fact that they contain many amino acids. Long chains of peptides can link to form proteins, more complex structures which include numerous amino acid groupings. Many organisms have the ability to synthesize protein formation with the assistance of enzymes, and enzymes can also be used to break down proteins and peptides into units which can be processed by the body.

If a body has a need for a particular dipeptide, it can absorb it through the intestinal tract.
If a body has a need for a particular dipeptide, it can absorb it through the intestinal tract.

During digestion, the digestive tract starts to break down dietary proteins into polypeptides, and these can be broken down into smaller units such as dipeptides. This is done by attacking the peptide bond which links two amino acids together. Once broken down, the substances can be absorbed by the body as needed. At least one dipeptides actually signals the body to produce enzymes which can be used in digestion.

Kyotorphin, a dipeptide found in the brain, helps regulate pain.
Kyotorphin, a dipeptide found in the brain, helps regulate pain.

If the body has a need for a particular dipeptide, it can absorb it through the intestinal tract or synthesize it if needed, depending on the dipeptide. Making peptides can use up energy in the body, while breaking them down is much easier. Numerous dipeptides can be found in the body. One example if kyotorphin, found in the brain, where it acts as part of the system used to regulate pain. Other dipeptides do things like reducing fatigue and playing a role as antioxidants.

Dipeptides are helpful in reducing fatigue.
Dipeptides are helpful in reducing fatigue.

A famous example of a dipeptide with industrial uses is aspartame, an artificial sweetener. Developed in the 1970s, aspartame was later demonized and held responsible for a wide range of health care problems. Additional study suggested that while this dipeptide could be dangerous for some people in high quantities, the low level use of aspartame as an artificial sweetener was probably not a cause for concern.

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a AllTheScience researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a AllTheScience researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

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Discussion Comments

anon316965

Where are dipepetides broken down?

jcraig

@Izzy78 - We have been talking about this in my biology class this week, so I think I can give you a basic answer.

Amino acids are basically a nitrogen atom surrounded by a few other things called "functional groups." There are no special elements that connect them, but the various elements use chemical bonds to join the amino acids to each other and form peptides. Different elements being next to each other makes the proteins have different shapes.

We briefly talked about enzymes, but I don't really understand those yet or how dipeptides are special. You might be able to find more information on enzymes on this site, though. Someone else could explain them a lot better than I could.

Izzy78

What is used to keep the amino acids together in polypeptide chains? Is there a special element that is used to connect them, or is there something to do with the chemistry of the amino acids that make them stick together.

Along the same lines, what do enzymes do to create and break down proteins? Unfortunately, when I was in high school, we never really talked about any of these things, but I still think they are interesting.

Emilski

If two amino acids make a dipeptide, do three amino acids make a tripeptide, or does the naming stop after two different amino acids?

I have always found proteins to be very interesting, and I like learning more about what different proteins do in our bodies. I'm probably in the minority in this, but does anyone know a good place to find a list of dipeptides and their uses? Any that you know off of your head would be great, too.

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    • If a body has a need for a particular dipeptide, it can absorb it through the intestinal tract.
      By: 7activestudio
      If a body has a need for a particular dipeptide, it can absorb it through the intestinal tract.
    • Kyotorphin, a dipeptide found in the brain, helps regulate pain.
      By: vbaleha
      Kyotorphin, a dipeptide found in the brain, helps regulate pain.
    • Dipeptides are helpful in reducing fatigue.
      By: miya227
      Dipeptides are helpful in reducing fatigue.
    • Dipeptides may be made in laboratory environments.
      By: shotsstudio
      Dipeptides may be made in laboratory environments.
    • Enzymes play a large role in the digestive process.
      By: graphicgeoff
      Enzymes play a large role in the digestive process.