CJC-1295 with DAC
Also known as: CJC-1295 DAC, Drug Affinity Complex GHRH analog
CJC-1295 with DAC is a long-acting GHRH analog modified with a Drug Affinity Complex to extend plasma half-life to approximately 6–8 days. Research documents sustained GH and IGF-1 elevation in animal models.
Base Sequence
GHRH(1-29) with Ala2→Ser, Met27→Nle substitutions
Modification
Maleimido-propionic acid DAC linker at Lys12 (MPA-Lys12)
Half-Life
~6–8 days (via albumin binding)
Molecular Weight
~3,647 Da
Target
GHRH receptor (GHRHR)
Research Use Only
Not for human or veterinary use
Overview
CJC-1295 with DAC (Drug Affinity Complex) is a synthetic analog of growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) engineered for extended duration of action. Native GHRH(1-29) has a plasma half-life of only a few minutes due to rapid proteolytic cleavage at the Ala2 position by dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPP-IV). CJC-1295 incorporates substitutions to resist this cleavage and adds a maleimido-propionic acid (MPA) linker — the Drug Affinity Complex — that enables covalent binding to endogenous albumin, dramatically extending half-life.
The pharmacokinetic profile of CJC-1295 with DAC distinguishes it from all other GHRH analogs in the research literature. Studies in animal models and early phase human pharmacokinetic studies report a plasma half-life of approximately 6–8 days, resulting in sustained elevation of both GH and IGF-1 for up to two weeks following a single administration. This extended action makes CJC-1295 with DAC a valuable research tool for studies requiring prolonged activation of the GH axis without repeated dosing.
Research applications of CJC-1295 with DAC include studies of somatotroph biology, age-related GH decline, and the GH/IGF-1 axis in catabolic conditions. The compound has been compared to pulsatile GHRH administration to understand the physiological significance of GH pulse frequency versus mean GH concentration. In rodent models, CJC-1295 with DAC has been shown to increase lean body mass, reduce adiposity, and improve nitrogen retention in aging animals.
CJC-1295 with DAC is available for research use only. Its unique pharmacokinetic properties make it a particularly useful reference compound for investigators studying GHRH receptor biology, GH axis feedback dynamics, or the development of long-acting peptide therapeutics.
Mechanism of Action
CJC-1295 binds the GHRH receptor (GHRHR), a Gs-protein coupled receptor expressed on pituitary somatotrophs. Receptor activation stimulates adenylyl cyclase, elevating cAMP and activating protein kinase A, which phosphorylates targets involved in GH gene transcription and secretory granule release. The sustained receptor occupancy enabled by albumin binding translates to tonic rather than pulsatile GH release.
The DAC modification (maleimido-propionic acid) reacts with the free thiol group of Cys34 on circulating human serum albumin, creating a covalent adduct that is slowly released over days as albumin turns over. This mechanism is distinct from non-covalent albumin-binding strategies used in other long-acting peptide drugs and confers the characteristic multi-day half-life.
Research Applications
- Long-acting GHRH receptor activation studies
- GH/IGF-1 axis pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics
- Somatotroph biology and GH pulse amplitude/frequency research
- Albumin-binding drug delivery system research
- Body composition and anabolic physiology in animal models
- Comparison with native GHRH and other GHRH analogs
Research Use Only. CJC-1295 with DAC is available for laboratory and research applications only. It is not approved by the FDA or any equivalent regulatory authority for human or veterinary therapeutic use. All information on this page is derived from published preclinical literature and is presented for informational and research context purposes only. Investigators should consult current primary literature and comply with applicable regulations before initiating research.
Order CJC-1295 with DAC for Research →Peptide Family
Growth Hormone Secretagogues
GHRH Receptor · GH/IGF-1 Axis · GH Secretagogue Research
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