CJC-1295 Without DAC (Modified GRF 1-29) 2 mg

CJC-1295 Without DAC (Modified GRF 1-29) 2 mg

GHRH Analogue Research Peptide

CJC-1295 Without DAC 2 mg | Research-Grade ≥99% Purity | HKPEPTIDE WORLDWIDE

Reviewed by: HKPEPTIDE WORLDWIDE Research Team | Last Updated: 2026-08-08 | Document ID: HKPW-cjc-nodac-2mg-v2.0

1. Product Identity & Specifications

CJC-1295 Without DAC 2 mg is the entry-level research configuration in HKPEPTIDE WORLDWIDE’s comprehensive CJC-1295 product family. This short-acting GHRH (Growth Hormone-Releasing Hormone) analogue is specifically designed for pilot studies, receptor-binding assays, pulsatile secretion modeling, and protocols requiring a rapid-clearance pharmacokinetic profile. The 2 mg format delivers the identical molecular entity—a tetra-substituted GRF(1-29) amide with D-Ala², Gln⁸, Ala¹⁵, and Leu²⁷ modifications—that has been extensively characterized in the published literature as a potent and selective GHRH receptor agonist.

ParameterSpecification
Product NameCJC-1295 Without DAC (Modified GRF 1-29)
Parent MoleculeGRF(1-29) amide (Sermorelin, CAS 83930-13-6)
Molecular FormulaC₁₅₂H₂₅₂N₄₄O₄₂S
Molecular Weight~3367 Da
Amino Acid SequenceTyr-D-Ala-Asp-Ala-Ile-Phe-Thr-Asn-Ser-Tyr-Arg-Lys-Val-Leu-Ala-Gln-Leu-Ser-Ala-Arg-Lys-Leu-Leu-Gln-Asp-Ile-Met-Ser-Arg-NH₂
Key ModificationsD-Ala² (DPP-4 resistance); Gln⁸, Ala¹⁵, Leu²⁷ (oxidation/metabolic stability); C-terminal amidation
Vial Content2 mg net peptide
AppearanceWhite to off-white lyophilized powder
Purity≥99% by HPLC
SolubilitySoluble in aqueous buffers (pH 7.4); DMSO for stock solutions
Plasma Half-Life~30 minutes (rapid renal clearance)
GHRH-R Binding AffinityIC₅₀ ~1.2 nM (competitive displacement of [¹²⁵I]-GRF)
Storage (Lyophilized)-20°C, protected from light and moisture
Storage (Reconstituted)2–8°C, use within 30 days
Product GradeResearch Use Only (RUO)
Peptide Content≥85% (net peptide basis)

2. Research Background

CJC-1295 represents a significant engineering achievement in the development of long-acting GHRH analogues. The story begins with native GHRH(1-44)-NH₂, a 44-amino acid hypothalamic peptide first isolated and characterized independently by two groups in 1982 from human pancreatic tumors that caused acromegaly (Rivier et al., 1982; Guillemin et al., 1982). The biologically active core was rapidly identified as the N-terminal 29 amino acids — GRF(1-29)-NH₂ — which retained full receptor activation potency while eliminating unnecessary C-terminal sequence. This truncated analogue, later named Sermorelin (CAS 83930-13-6), became the first GHRH analogue to enter clinical development for diagnostic evaluation of growth hormone deficiency (PMID: 2870820).

However, native GRF(1-29)-NH₂ suffered from two critical limitations that restricted its research utility: susceptibility to rapid proteolytic degradation (plasma half-life <10 minutes) and potential for methionine oxidation at position 27. ConjuChem Biotechnologies addressed these limitations through rational peptide engineering, creating a series of tetra-substituted GRF(1-29) analogues. The “CJC-1295 core” incorporates four strategic amino acid substitutions: D-Ala at position 2 for DPP-4 resistance, Gln at position 8 (replacing Asn) to eliminate a potential deamidation site, Ala at position 15 (replacing Gly) for enhanced helical stability, and Leu at position 27 (replacing Met) to eliminate the oxidation-sensitive methionine residue (PMID: 16984234).

The critical bifurcation in the CJC-1295 family arises from the presence or absence of the Drug Affinity Complex (DAC) moiety. CJC-1295 Without DAC is the unmodified tetra-substituted GRF(1-29) core — a short-acting GHRH receptor agonist with a plasma half-life of approximately 30 minutes. This rapid clearance profile makes it the preferred research tool for modeling physiological pulsatile GH secretion patterns, investigating GHRH receptor desensitization kinetics, and studying the temporal dynamics of somatotroph signaling without the confounding influence of sustained receptor occupancy. In contrast, CJC-1295 With DAC incorporates a maleimidopropionic acid linker conjugated to a reactive thiol group at Lys²⁰, enabling covalent, irreversible binding to serum albumin. This modification extends the half-life to approximately 8 days but fundamentally alters the pharmacokinetic properties (PMID: 16984234).

For the research community, CJC-1295 Without DAC serves as an essential reference standard — the “clean” comparator compound for discriminating between receptor-level pharmacological effects and pharmacokinetic effects mediated by the DAC modification. Its well-characterized receptor pharmacology, precisely defined molecular structure, and rapid clearance kinetics make it indispensable for GHRH receptor signaling studies, pulse-frequency modeling, and structure-activity relationship investigations.

3. Molecular Mechanisms

3.1 GHRH Receptor Activation and cAMP Signaling

CJC-1295 Without DAC binds with high affinity (IC₅₀ ~1.2 nM) to the Growth Hormone-Releasing Hormone receptor (GHRH-R), a class B (secretin-like) G-protein-coupled receptor predominantly expressed on somatotroph cells of the anterior pituitary gland. The GHRH-R is a 423-amino acid protein with a characteristic N-terminal extracellular domain, seven-transmembrane helical core, and intracellular C-terminal tail that couples primarily to the stimulatory Gαs protein.

Ligand binding induces a conformational transition that promotes GDP-GTP exchange on Gαs, leading to dissociation of the Gαs-GTP subunit from the Gβγ heterodimer. The free Gαs-GTP activates membrane-associated adenylate cyclase, catalyzing the conversion of ATP to cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP). Elevated intracellular cAMP activates protein kinase A (PKA), which phosphorylates the transcription factor cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB) at Ser¹³³, enabling its translocation to the nucleus and binding to cAMP response elements (CRE) in the promoter regions of target genes — including the growth hormone (GH1) gene itself (PMID: 1310906).

3.2 Calcium Signaling and GH Exocytosis

In parallel with the cAMP-PKA-CREB axis, GHRH-R activation opens voltage-gated L-type calcium channels on the somatotroph plasma membrane, generating a rapid influx of extracellular Ca²⁺. This calcium transient triggers the exocytotic fusion of growth hormone-containing secretory vesicles with the plasma membrane — the immediate mechanism of pulsatile GH release. The cAMP and calcium pathways converge synergistically: PKA-mediated phosphorylation potentiates L-type channel opening, while calcium-calmodulin stimulates additional kinases that enhance vesicle docking and fusion protein activity (PMID: 10385398).

3.3 GH Pulse Amplitude and Frequency Encoding

The short ~30-minute half-life of CJC-1295 Without DAC is a feature rather than a limitation for researchers studying the physiological dynamics of GH secretion. Native hypothalamic GHRH is released in discrete pulses approximately every 3-4 hours, with each pulse lasting only minutes before the peptide is cleared by plasma proteases and renal filtration. CJC-1295 Without DAC closely recapitulates this pulsatile exposure pattern, producing transient somatotroph activation that mimics the natural amplitude- and frequency-encoded GH secretory signal. This makes it the superior tool for investigating the molecular mechanisms underlying GH pulsatility — a phenomenon essential for normal growth, metabolism, and tissue repair that is fundamentally lost with sustained-receptor-occupancy compounds (PMID: 11250971).

3.4 Receptor Desensitization and Internalization

Prolonged GHRH-R activation produces receptor desensitization through GRK-mediated phosphorylation and β-arrestin recruitment, followed by clathrin-mediated endocytosis and lysosomal degradation. The rapid clearance of CJC-1295 Without DAC prevents sustained receptor occupancy, allowing researchers to study the full cycle of activation, desensitization, internalization, and receptor recycling without the confounding influence of persistent ligand exposure. This property is particularly valuable for research into GHRH-R trafficking dynamics and the mechanisms governing resensitization of the somatotroph axis (PMID: 16804053).

4. Research Applications & Focus Areas

The 2 mg CJC-1295 Without DAC configuration is ideally suited for:

  • Pilot and Feasibility Studies: Establishing baseline pharmacological parameters (EC₅₀, IC₅₀, Kd) for the GHRH receptor in novel assay systems before scaling to larger experiments
  • GHRH-R Binding Assays: Radioligand displacement studies using [¹²⁵I]-GRF(1-29) in membrane preparations from GHRH-R-transfected cell lines (HEK293-hGHRH-R, CHO-K1-hGHRH-R)
  • cAMP Accumulation Assays: HTRF-based (homogeneous time-resolved fluorescence) or ELISA-based cAMP quantification in GHRH-R-overexpressing cell models
  • Dose-Response Curve Generation: Establishing full concentration-response relationships (10⁻¹² to 10⁻⁶ M) for GH release in primary rat anterior pituitary cell cultures
  • GH Pulse Modeling: In vitro perfusion systems that simulate pulsatile GHRH exposure to study amplitude- and frequency-dependent GH secretory responses
  • DAC vs. Non-DAC Comparative Pharmacology: Direct side-by-side comparison of acute receptor activation, signaling bias, and desensitization kinetics between CJC-1295 Without DAC and CJC-1295 With DAC
  • Structure-Activity Relationship Studies: Evaluating the relative contributions of individual amino acid substitutions (D-Ala², Gln⁸, Ala¹⁵, Leu²⁷) to receptor affinity, metabolic stability, and functional potency

5. Quality Control & Analytical Specifications

Every lot of CJC-1295 Without DAC 2 mg undergoes a rigorous multi-tier quality control program:

TestMethodAcceptance Criteria
PurityRP-HPLC (C18 column, 214 nm)≥99.0%
Molecular Weight ConfirmationESI-MS / MALDI-TOF MS3367 ± 1.0 Da
Peptide ContentAmino Acid Analysis (AAA)≥85.0%
Trifluoroacetate (TFA) ContentIon Chromatography≤1.0%
Water ContentKarl Fischer Titration≤5.0%
EndotoxinLAL Kinetic Chromogenic≤1.0 EU/mg
AppearanceVisual InspectionWhite to off-white powder
SolubilityVisual (10 mg/mL in PBS, pH 7.4)Clear, colorless solution
Sequence VerificationLC-MS/MS Peptide Mapping100% sequence coverage

Each shipment includes a batch-specific Certificate of Analysis (CoA) documenting all quality parameters. Mass spectra and HPLC chromatograms are available upon request from qualified research institutions.

6. Available Configurations

HKPEPTIDE WORLDWIDE offers the full CJC-1295 Without DAC dosage range:

DosageSKUResearch Application
2 mgHKPW-CJC-NODAC-2MGPilot studies, binding assays, receptor pharmacology
5 mgHKPW-CJC-NODAC-5MGDose-response studies, pulse modeling, comparative pharmacology
10 mgHKPW-CJC-NODAC-10MGExtended protocols, multi-arm experimental designs

7. Tiered Wholesale Pricing

QuantityPrice Per VialSKU
1 Vial$65.00HKPW-CJC-NODAC-2MG-1
5 Vials$58.00/vial ($290 total)HKPW-CJC-NODAC-2MG-5
10 Vials$50.00/vial ($500 total)HKPW-CJC-NODAC-2MG-10
25+ VialsContact for bulk pricingHKPW-CJC-NODAC-2MG-BULK

All prices in USD. Institutional and academic discounts available upon verification. Bulk pricing for orders exceeding 25 vials — please contact our research support team.

8. Comparative Analysis: CJC-1295 Without DAC vs. With DAC vs. Native GRF(1-29)

The GHRH analogue landscape encompasses molecules with dramatically different pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic profiles:

PropertyCJC-1295 Without DACCJC-1295 With DACNative GRF(1-29) (Sermorelin)
Molecular Weight~3367 Da~3649 Da3358 Da
Plasma Half-Life~30 minutes~8 days<10 minutes
D-Ala² (DPP-4 Resistance)YesYesNo (native Ala)
Leu²⁷ (Oxidation Resistance)YesYesNo (native Met)
Albumin BindingNo (free peptide)Covalent (DAC linker)No
Receptor Activation ProfilePulsatileSustained/continuousUltra-short pulse
Best Research ApplicationPulse physiology, receptor kineticsLong-duration receptor occupancyBaseline comparator
Research AdvantageRecapitulates physiological GH pulsatilityEnables chronic receptor activation studiesHistorical reference standard

9. Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: What is the difference between CJC-1295 With DAC and Without DAC?

The difference lies in a single structural modification: the Drug Affinity Complex (DAC). CJC-1295 With DAC incorporates a maleimidopropionic acid linker conjugated to Lys²⁰ that enables covalent, irreversible binding to the free thiol group of Cys³⁴ on serum albumin. This transforms the peptide from a short-acting compound (~30-minute half-life) to a long-acting compound (~8-day half-life). The core 29-amino acid sequence with four stabilizing substitutions is identical in both variants. For researchers, the critical distinction is pharmacological: Without DAC produces pulsatile receptor activation that mimics endogenous GHRH physiology, while With DAC produces sustained, non-pulsatile receptor occupancy.

Q2: What solvent should I use to reconstitute CJC-1295 Without DAC 2 mg?

For most in vitro applications, reconstitute in sterile phosphate-buffered saline (PBS, pH 7.4) or cell culture-grade water. For preparation of concentrated stock solutions (1-10 mM), use sterile DMSO. Avoid vigorous vortexing; gentle swirling is sufficient for dissolution. Aliquot and store reconstituted peptide at -20°C for long-term storage or 2-8°C for short-term use (≤30 days). Do not subject to repeated freeze-thaw cycles.

Q3: Why is the 2 mg format valuable for research?

The 2 mg format provides sufficient material for comprehensive pilot studies, receptor-binding assays, and dose-response curve establishment while minimizing waste for short shelf-life applications. Given the approximately 30-minute half-life of CJC-1295 Without DAC, experiments investigating rapid signaling kinetics often require fresh reconstitution — the 2 mg format is optimized for single-session or short-duration experimental protocols where peptide stability is paramount.

Q4: Is a Certificate of Analysis provided?

Yes. Every shipment of CJC-1295 Without DAC 2 mg from HKPEPTIDE WORLDWIDE includes a batch-specific Certificate of Analysis (CoA) documenting: HPLC purity (≥99%), molecular weight confirmation by mass spectrometry, peptide content by amino acid analysis, TFA content, water content (Karl Fischer), endotoxin levels (LAL assay), and visual appearance. HPLC chromatograms and mass spectra are available upon request.

Q5: Can CJC-1295 Without DAC be used for in vivo research?

CJC-1295 Without DAC 2 mg is supplied as a research-use-only (RUO) product. Researchers planning in vivo studies must ensure compliance with their institutional animal care and use committee (IACUC) protocols and all applicable regulatory frameworks. Typical in vivo doses in rodent GHRH pharmacology studies range from 10-100 μg/kg administered via subcutaneous or intravenous injection. Due to the short ~30-minute half-life, in vivo protocols typically require repeated dosing or continuous infusion to maintain receptor engagement.

10. References & Further Reading

  1. Teichman SL, Neale A, Lawrence B, Gagnon C, Castaigne JP, Frohman LA. 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. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2006;91(3):799-805. PMID: 16352682
  2. Jetté L, Léger R, Thibaudeau K, et al. 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. Endocrinology. 2005;146(7):3052-3058. PMID: 15790728
  3. Frohman LA, Kineman RD, Kamegai J, et al. Secretagogues and the somatotrope: signaling and proliferation. Recent Prog Horm Res. 2000;55:269-290. PMID: 11036941
  4. Mayo KE, Miller LJ, Bataille D, et al. International Union of Pharmacology. XXXV. The glucagon receptor family. Pharmacol Rev. 2003;55(1):167-194. PMID: 12615957
  5. Müller EE, Locatelli V, Cocchi D. Neuroendocrine control of growth hormone secretion. Physiol Rev. 1999;79(2):511-607. PMID: 10221989
  6. Giustina A, Veldhuis JD. Pathophysiology of the neuroregulation of growth hormone secretion in experimental animals and the human. Endocr Rev. 1998;19(6):717-797. PMID: 9861545
  7. Veldhuis JD, Anderson SM, Shah N, et al. Neurophysiological regulation and target-tissue impact of the pulsatile mode of growth hormone secretion. Endocr Rev. 2001;22(6):789-816. PMID: 11739333
  8. Ling N, Baird A, Wehrenberg WB, et al. Isolation and characterization of the growth hormone releasing factor from a human pancreatic tumor. Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 1984;122(1):304-310. PMID: 6087804
  9. Thorner MO, Perryman RL, Cronin MJ, et al. Somatotroph hyperplasia: successful treatment of acromegaly by removal of a pancreatic islet tumor secreting a growth hormone-releasing factor. J Clin Invest. 1982;70(5):965-977. PMID: 6290539
  10. Bowers CY, Momany FA, Reynolds GA, Hong A. On the in vitro and in vivo activity of a new synthetic hexapeptide that acts on the pituitary to specifically release growth hormone. Endocrinology. 1984;114(5):1537-1545. PMID: 6425043

11. Compliance Statement

This product is manufactured for research purposes only and is not intended for human or veterinary diagnostic, therapeutic, or clinical applications. By purchasing CJC-1295 Without DAC 2 mg from HKPEPTIDE WORLDWIDE, the buyer affirms that:

  • The product will be used exclusively in a qualified research laboratory setting
  • All personnel handling this product are appropriately trained in laboratory safety and peptide handling protocols
  • The purchasing institution maintains all required permits, licenses, and regulatory approvals for research involving GHRH analogues
  • The product will not be resold, redistributed, or diverted for any purpose other than bona fide scientific research
  • The buyer acknowledges that this product is not FDA-approved for human or veterinary use

HKPEPTIDE WORLDWIDE reserves the right to request documentation verifying research credentials prior to order fulfillment.

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