€ 200
Still questions? Contact us
Oxytocin necklace 3D | sterling silver
If you have ever solved a peptide structure, run a disulfide bridge through an NMR experiment, or worked on a Gq/Gi-coupled GPCR, you already know why oxytocin matters. A cyclic nonapeptide held closed by one bond between two cysteines, with a backbone geometry that determines whether the molecule binds at all.
The Science Behind Oxytocin
Oxytocin is a nine-residue cyclic peptide. A single intrachain disulfide between two cysteines locks the ring closed and fixes the conformation that the OXTR receptor recognises. Reduction of that bond abolishes activity. Du Vigneaud synthesised it in 1953, the first total synthesis of a polypeptide, and was awarded the Nobel Prize in 1955. The receptor is a Gq/Gi-coupled GPCR. Vasopressin differs from oxytocin by only two amino acids and cross-reacts at OXTR, which is why high-dose vasopressin can produce uterine effects. Solution NMR studies in the 1990s mapped the detailed conformation that underpins receptor binding. Functionally, oxytocin drives labour contractions, milk letdown, and a body of social-bonding research that runs through behavioural neuroscience.
The Audience
The audience clusters around biochemistry and neuroendocrinology:
- structural biochemists and peptide chemists
- NMR spectroscopists and computational biochemists
- obstetricians and maternal-fetal medicine specialists
- neuroendocrine researchers and behavioural neuroscientists
- PhD students and postdocs in structural biology or neuroscience
Around a quarter of orders ship to PhD students and postdocs in peptide chemistry or structural biology. The rest go to clinicians and gift-givers who value the meaning behind the molecule.
Explore Related Molecules Jewelry
- Oxytocin necklace | silver
- Oxytocin necklace 3D | gold vermeil
- Oxytocin necklace | gold vermeil
- Cystine necklace | silver
FAQ
Is this specific enough for a structural biochemist?
Yes. The conformational constraints imposed by the disulfide bridge are central to how peptide hormones achieve specificity, and the 3D format reads as a peer reference to that fact rather than a generic molecule pendant. A structural biochemist, peptide chemist, or NMR spectroscopist will recognise the angle on first look.
Why is the disulfide bond so important to oxytocin?
Because it locks the peptide into the conformation the receptor recognises. The bridge links two cysteine residues at positions one and six, forming a constrained ring that holds the backbone in the right geometry. Reduction of this bond abolishes activity, which is why oxytocin in a reducing environment loses its function rapidly. Conformational specificity, not amino acid composition, is what makes the molecule work.
What is the size, material, and chain?
48 mm 3D pendant in 925 sterling silver, nickel-free. 45 cm sterling silver chain with a 5 cm extender and lobster clasp. Ships free worldwide via DHL Express in 1-5 business days, with all import duties prepaid. Comes in a ready-to-gift jewelry box with the 30-day “Love It or Return It” policy.
What is the difference between the 3D and flat oxytocin necklaces?
Physical form and scale. The 3D version is 48 mm and renders oxytocin in three dimensions. The flat version is smaller, in a two-dimensional skeletal style that mirrors how the molecule is drawn in textbooks. Both represent the same peptide. The choice is between a sculptural piece and a lighter, more graphic one. Both are available in silver and gold vermeil.
Molecules
Delve into the hidden elegance of science with our meticulously crafted jewelry, inspired by the intricate structures of chemical molecules. Each piece serves as a tactile tribute to the building blocks of life and matter, capturing the allure of atoms and bonds in precious metals. A harmonious fusion of art and science, these creations are more than mere accessories; they're a celebration of the enigmatic beauty that underpins our universe.
Find your perfect fit: measure an Existing Ring
Finding out your ring size at home is a simple process and can help you shop for jewelry online with confidence.
Necklace length guide
