Copeptin
BiomarkerAlso known as: CT-proAVP, C-Terminal Pro-Vasopressin
Vasopressin Precursor FragmentsResearch phase: Clinical (diagnostic biomarker)Regulatory: CE-marked diagnostic (BRAHMS Copeptin, Thermo Fisher). Used in clinical practice in Europe. FDA cleared.
Mechanism
Copeptin is a stable fragment of the vasopressin precursor that serves as a reliable blood biomarker for vasopressin release. It is used clinically to diagnose diabetes insipidus and rule out heart attack.
Technical detail
Copeptin is the 39-amino acid C-terminal portion of the vasopressin precursor (pro-vasopressin) released in equimolar amounts with AVP. Unlike vasopressin (unstable, t1/2 ~15 min), copeptin is stable in blood samples. Used clinically to: (1) diagnose central diabetes insipidus (water deprivation test replacement), (2) rapidly rule out acute MI (combined with troponin), and (3) prognosticate in sepsis and heart failure.