What Is CJC-1295 DAC Peptide?
CJC-1295 DAC is a synthetic peptide analog derived from human growth hormone-releasing factor (hGRF) 1–29. It is classified as a modified GHRH analog. The peptide contains specific substitutions within the hGRF(1–29) sequence and an Nε-3-maleimidopropionamide modification on a lysine residue.
The chemical structure of CJC-1295 DAC distinguishes it from the native hGRF(1–29) sequence. It is therefore classified as a chemically modified synthetic peptide analog rather than unmodified GHRH.
Research Overview Table
Chemical and Molecular Characteristics
CJC-1295 DAC is a chemically modified peptide based on the hGRF(1–29) sequence. The structure contains four substitutions and an Nε-3-maleimidopropionamide modification on a lysine residue at the C-terminus. This gives the molecule a defined structure that differs from the native hGRF(1–29) sequence.
CJC-1295 DAC has a molecular formula of C165H269N47O46 and a molecular weight of 3647.2 g/mol. Computed properties include 54 hydrogen-bond donors, 52 hydrogen-bond acceptors, 128 rotatable bonds, and a topological polar surface area of 1540 Ų.
Certificates:
Mechanism of Action Under Investigation
CJC-1295 DAC is a modified hGRF(1–29) analog that acts at the growth hormone-releasing factor receptor on anterior pituitary cells. Receptor activation is associated with signaling that stimulates growth hormone secretion. In cultured rat anterior pituitary cells, CJC-1295 and its albumin-conjugated form retained activity in a growth hormone secretion assay.
The DAC component introduces a second molecular interaction. The maleimide group reacts with the free thiol of cysteine 34 on serum albumin, producing an albumin–CJC-1295 conjugate. The published study detected this albumin-associated form in plasma while retaining biological activity at the GRF receptor.
The mechanism under investigation therefore centers on GRF receptor activation by the hGRF-derived peptide and covalent albumin bioconjugation through the DAC modification. The precise contribution of the individual peptide substitutions to receptor interaction has not been fully established in the CJC-1295-specific literature.
Scientific Research Context
CJC-1295 DAC has been studied as a modified GHRH analog in endocrine research, including studies of the GH–IGF-1 axis. Research to date has focused mainly on in vitro systems and preclinical animal models, with only limited controlled studies in humans. As a result, most available evidence remains preclinical. The human literature is still relatively small.
CJC-1295 DAC Biology and Biological Pathways
Primary Biological Function
GHRH is a hypothalamic peptide that regulates the synthesis and secretion of growth hormone (GH) from pituitary somatotrophs. It is a central regulator of the somatotroph axis and works alongside somatostatin and feedback from GH and IGF-1 to regulate GH secretion. Researchers investigate this system to better understand the regulation of somatotroph function and the GH–IGF-1 axis.
Relevant Metabolic or Signaling Pathways
The main intracellular pathway associated with GHRH receptor signaling is the adenylyl cyclase–cAMP–PKA pathway. Additional signaling involves voltage-gated calcium channels and protein kinase C. Researchers investigate these pathways to characterize the intracellular signaling network associated with GHRH receptor activity and determine how different signaling components contribute to the cellular response.
Tissue-Specific Biology
The anterior pituitary is the primary tissue relevant to CJC-1295 DAC biology. It contains somatotroph cells that express GHRH receptors and produce growth hormone. CJC-1295 has been studied in anterior pituitary cell preparations and in animal models involving pituitary GH secretion. The hypothalamus is also relevant to the broader GHRH system because it is the principal source of endogenous GHRH.
Experimental Biomarkers
GH and IGF-1 are the primary circulating biomarkers used to examine the GH–IGF-1 axis. IGFBP-3 and other serum proteins have also been investigated as markers associated with GH or IGF-1 activity. Researchers use these measurements to examine changes at different points within the endocrine system rather than relying on a single marker.
Laboratory Investigation Methods
Laboratory studies of CJC-1295 have used GH and IGF-1 assays, pharmacokinetic measurements, serum protein analysis, and mass spectrometry. Proteomic studies have used two dimensional gel electrophoresis followed by mass spectrometry to identify changes in serum proteins. These methods allow researchers to measure endocrine responses and characterize associated changes in circulating proteins.
Experimental Models Used in Published Research
Published CJC-1295 research has used several experimental models to examine the compound under different biological conditions. These include isolated pituitary cell systems, normal laboratory animals, genetically modified mice, and healthy human subjects. Each model provides a different level of biological information, but differences between isolated systems, animal physiology, and human physiology limit direct comparison across models.
Cultured Anterior Pituitary Cells
Cultured rat anterior pituitary cells were used in the primary CJC-1295 study to examine the peptide in a controlled pituitary cell system. GH secretion was measured as the experimental endpoint. This model allows direct assessment of pituitary activity without whole body variables, but it cannot reproduce systemic endocrine regulation or physiological interactions between tissues.
Normal Rat Models
Normal Sprague-Dawley rats have been used to examine CJC-1295 in an intact animal. This model allows investigation within a functioning endocrine system and provides information that cannot be obtained from isolated cells. However, differences between rat and human physiology limit how directly findings from this model can be applied to humans.
GHRH-Knockout Mice
GHRH-knockout mice have been used to study CJC-1295 in the absence of endogenous GHRH signaling. This model provides a way to examine the compound within a defined GHRH-deficient state. Its limitation is that genetic GHRH deficiency does not fully reproduce the normal endocrine environment of humans.
Human Studies
Controlled studies have examined CJC-1295 in healthy adults. Human studies provide direct information from the human endocrine system, but the published studies involved selected, relatively small populations. These characteristics limit the generalizability of findings beyond the study populations.
CJC-1295 DAC Published Research
GHRH Receptor Activity and Pituitary Biology
The initial study evaluated CJC-1295 as an hGRF(1–29) derivative in cultured rat anterior pituitary cells and Sprague-Dawley rats. The study examined GRF receptor activity and GH secretion after albumin bioconjugation. CJC-1295 remained biologically active in the pituitary cell assay and produced an acute GH response in rats.
GH and IGF-1 Secretion
Human studies have investigated CJC-1295 in relation to GH and IGF-1 secretion, pharmacokinetics, and GH pulsatility. One randomized, placebo controlled study measured GH, IGF-1, and CJC-1295 concentrations over time, while another examined overnight GH secretion using serial blood sampling.
GHRH-Deficient Models
CJC-1295 has also been studied in GHRH-knockout mice to examine its effects in the absence of endogenous GHRH. Investigators assessed body growth, body composition, pituitary RNA, GH mRNA, and somatotroph changes. The findings showed that repeated CJC-1295 exposure affected several of these measures. Because the model has a genetically altered GHRH system, its findings cannot fully represent normal human endocrine physiology.
Pituitary Somatotroph Biology
Another mouse study used CJC-1295 to investigate the relationship between hypothalamic M3 muscarinic receptors, pituitary development, and somatotroph biology. The researchers examined pituitary size together with GH and IGF-1 measurements in brain-specific M3 receptor knockout mice. CJC-1295 was used as a GHRH analog within this experimental system. The study's conclusions are limited to this genetically modified mouse model.
Serum Protein and Biomarker Research
The study investigated potential serum biomarkers of GH and IGF-1 activity following CJC-1295 administration. It examined changes in serum protein profiles and assessed their relationships with circulating GH and IGF-1 levels in healthy adult men.
Limitations of Current Research
Evidence Is Predominantly Preclinical
CJC-1295 DAC has been studied in cultured rat anterior pituitary cells, Sprague-Dawley rats and GHRH-knockout mice. These studies provide preclinical evidence on the compound's biological activity and effects within the GH system, but findings from these models cannot fully represent human physiology.
Human Clinical Evidence
Human studies of CJC-1295 have been conducted in healthy adults and have examined GH, IGF-1, pharmacokinetics and GH secretion patterns. The available studies involved relatively short observation periods and selected healthy participants. As a result, the published human data provide limited information beyond these specific study conditions.
Species Differences
Animal studies have used rats and GHRH-knockout mice. These models differ from humans in their endocrine physiology, and the GHRH-knockout model represents a specific genetic deficiency rather than normal physiology. Such differences limit direct comparison between findings from these models and human biology.
Study Design Limitations
The human studies used healthy adults and focused mainly on GH, IGF-1, pharmacokinetics, and GH secretion patterns. The studies also differed in dosing schedules, sampling periods, and study duration. These design differences limit direct comparison between the available human findings.
Independent Replication
Independent replication remains limited in the CJC-1295 literature. The main human findings come from a small number of studies involving healthy adults, while other research has focused on specific animal and cellular models. Because similar findings have not been examined extensively across independent populations and study settings, the consistency of the published observations remains difficult to assess.
Long-Term Evidence
Long-term evidence for CJC-1295 remains limited. Published studies have examined the compound over periods of several weeks, including a 5-week study in GHRH-knockout mice and 28- and 49-day controlled studies in healthy adults. These study periods provide limited information about biological responses to substantially longer exposure.
Analytical Documentation
CJC-1295 can be identified and characterized using liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry. Published methods have used LC-HRMS/MS, nanoLC-HRMS/MS and UHPLC-MS/MS to detect CJC-1295 DAC peptide in biological samples and distinguish it from other GHRH analogs.
A Certificate of Analysis provides batch-specific analytical records, including reported identity and purity results. NMR is not a primary analytical method reported in the CJC-1295 studies reviewed here, so it should not be presented as a standard CJC-1295 test.
Analytical documentation verifies product identity and quality, not biological performance.
Storage and Laboratory Handling
Store CJC-1295 DAC at 2–8°C, according to the storage condition stated on the supplied Certificate of Analysis. Keep the material protected from moisture and unnecessary environmental exposure, and maintain the specified storage conditions to preserve sample integrity.
Qualified laboratory personnel should handle the peptide using clean equipment and appropriate laboratory practices. Keep the container closed when not in use and take appropriate steps to prevent contamination during handling. CJC-1295 DAC is intended for laboratory research use only.
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