Research Peptide · For laboratory research use only
Also known as CJC-1295 DAC, CJC1295 with drug affinity complex
CJC-1295 with DAC is the long-acting growth hormone-releasing factor analogue first described in 2005: a tetrasubstituted human GRF(1-29) with an added C-terminal lysine carrying an Nε-3-maleimidopropionamide group, the drug affinity complex (DAC)1. The maleimide reacts with the free thiol on Cys34 of serum albumin, forming a covalent bioconjugate that extends plasma persistence1,6.
It is distinct from CJC-1295 without DAC (modified GRF 1-29), which lacks the albumin-binding lysine, and findings for one form do not transfer directly to the other. Published work includes the originating rat studies, a GHRH knockout mouse model, two early clinical pharmacology studies described here by design only, and anti-doping detection methods1,2,3,4,5,6.
As described in the research literature
As described in the research literature, three maleimido derivatives of hGRF(1-29) were bioconjugated to human serum albumin ex vivo; all showed enhanced stability against dipeptidyl peptidase-IV and were active in a growth hormone secretion assay in cultured rat anterior pituitary cells1. In rats, CJC-1295 was detected in plasma beyond 72 hours, and western blotting showed CJC-1295 immunoreactivity on the serum albumin band from 15 minutes onwards1.
In GHRH knockout mice, CJC-1295 was associated with increased total pituitary RNA and GH mRNA, with immunohistochemistry suggesting somatotroph proliferation2. Because the albumin conjugate provides sustained rather than pulsed GRF receptor stimulation, one study used frequent overnight blood sampling to examine whether growth hormone secretory pulses persist under these conditions4.
What published studies have examined
Maleimido derivatives of hGRF(1-29) were compared for stability against dipeptidyl peptidase-IV, activity in rat pituitary cell culture and growth hormone release in rats, and CJC-1295 was selected for pharmacokinetic evaluation, including western blot detection of the albumin conjugate1.
Sources [1]
Mice lacking the GHRH gene were used to examine body weight and length, femur and tibia length, body composition, pituitary RNA and GH mRNA, comparing different study protocols2.
Sources [2]
Two randomised, placebo-controlled, double-blind studies examined pharmacokinetics, with GH and IGF-I as the main outcome measures3, and a separate study examined the frequency and magnitude of GH secretory pulses4. They are noted here by design only.
In vitro metabolites of sermorelin, tesamorelin and CJC-1295 with and without DAC were identified, synthesised and used to develop a urine detection method5. Because albumin conjugation prevents detection by top-down mass spectrometry, an immuno-PCR assay was developed to detect the CJC-1295 protein conjugate in equine plasma6.
Human growth hormone-releasing factor (hGRF)1-29-albumin bioconjugates activate the GRF receptor on the anterior pituitary in rats: identification of CJC-1295 as a long-lasting GRF analog.
Jetté L, Léger R, Thibaudeau K, et al. Endocrinology, 2005.
Once-daily administration of CJC-1295, a long-acting growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) analog, normalizes growth in the GHRH knockout mouse.
Alba M, Fintini D, Sagazio A, et al. American Journal of Physiology. Endocrinology and Metabolism, 2006.
Prolonged stimulation of growth hormone (GH) and insulin-like growth factor I secretion by CJC-1295, a long-acting analog of GH-releasing hormone, in healthy adults.
Teichman SL, Neale A, Lawrence B, et al. The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism, 2006.
Pulsatile secretion of growth hormone (GH) persists during continuous stimulation by CJC-1295, a long-acting GH-releasing hormone analog.
Ionescu M, Frohman LA The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism, 2006.
Advances in the detection of growth hormone releasing hormone synthetic analogs.
Memdouh S, Gavrilović I, Ng K, et al. Drug Testing and Analysis, 2021.
An immuno polymerase chain reaction screen for the detection of CJC-1295 and other growth-hormone-releasing hormone analogs in equine plasma.
Timms M, Ganio K, Forbes G, et al. Drug Testing and Analysis, 2019.
This page is provided for research and educational reference only. It does not constitute medical advice, dosing guidance, or a recommendation for use. All compounds are strictly for laboratory and in-vitro research purposes.