A modified oxytocin peptide that blocks rather than triggers uterine contraction.
Also known as: Tractocile
Part of the Foundational & therapeutic peptides cluster
Overview
Atosiban is a synthetic nonapeptide, a desamino-oxytocin analog that competitively antagonizes oxytocin and vasopressin receptors. By blocking oxytocin-driven calcium release in uterine muscle it suppresses contractions, and it is approved in many countries as a tocolytic to delay preterm birth. Content here is educational only.
Source & context
Biological / chemical source: Synthetic desamino-oxytocin nonapeptide analog
Primary research or clinical context: Approved (outside the US) to delay preterm labor
Turning an agonist into a blocker
Modifying key residues of oxytocin converts the natural agonist into a receptor antagonist. Atosiban is a striking example of how targeted substitutions can flip a peptide's pharmacology from activating to blocking its receptor.
Tocolytic role
By quieting uterine oxytocin receptors, atosiban aims to postpone premature delivery during a defined window of pregnancy. Its receptor-selective mechanism is often contrasted with older, less specific tocolytic drugs in obstetric pharmacology.
FAQ about Atosiban
What is Atosiban?+
Atosiban is a synthetic nonapeptide, a desamino-oxytocin analog that competitively antagonizes oxytocin and vasopressin receptors. By blocking oxytocin-driven calcium release in uterine muscle it suppresses contractions, and it is approved in many countries as a tocolytic to delay preterm birth. Content here is educational only.
Is Atosiban an approved medicine?+
Atosiban: Approved (outside the US) to delay preterm labor. Always follow licensed medical guidance for approved products.
What is the typical length of Atosiban?+
Atosiban is commonly described as approximately 9 amino acids (Oxytocin antagonist).