Two peptide ligands docking into two different receptor pockets on a cell membrane, representing a GHRH analog and a ghrelin mimetic studied together in vitro
Mindful Research

CJC-1295 + Ipamorelin Blend: A GHRH Analog and a Ghrelin Mimetic in One Vial (In-Vitro Profile)

By: Mindful Research Team4 min read

Key takeaways

  • CJC-1295 ipamorelin is a 5 mg / 5 mg blend of a 29-residue GHRH analog (Modified GRF(1-29)) and a 5-residue ghrelin mimetic.
  • CJC-1295 no DAC binds GHRH-R (Gs, cAMP); ipamorelin binds GHS-R1a (Gq, calcium) on the same pituitary cell type.
  • Equal masses are not equal moles: 5 mg ipamorelin is about 7.0 micromoles, 5 mg CJC-1295 about 1.5 micromoles.
  • Confirm both components on the COA by two HPLC peaks and two mass-spec signatures.
  • For in vitro research use only.

CJC-1295 ipamorelin is a co-formulated research blend of two synthetic peptides that act on two different pituitary receptors: CJC-1295 without DAC (Modified GRF(1-29), CAS 863288-34-0, C152H252N44O42, 3367.95 g/mol) is a 29-residue analog of growth-hormone-releasing hormone that binds the GHRH receptor, and ipamorelin (CAS 170851-70-4, C38H49N9O5, 711.9 g/mol) is a five-residue ghrelin mimetic that binds the growth-hormone secretagogue receptor GHS-R1a; the blend is supplied as a 5 mg / 5 mg lyophilized powder for in vitro receptor and cell-signaling research. This profile covers what each component is, why the two are co-formulated, how the pair is studied in receptor-expressing cells, and how a laboratory confirms both components are present at the stated ratio.

What is in the CJC-1295 / ipamorelin blend?

The Ipamorelin/CJC-1295 (no DAC) vial contains two chemically unrelated peptides that happen to converge on the same cell type. One is long and helical; the other is short and heavily modified. The catalog lists them at 5 mg each, and the lot-specific ratio is printed on the Certificate of Analysis.

Component Class Length Receptor CAS Formula MW (g/mol)
CJC-1295 no DAC (Modified GRF(1-29)) GHRH analog 29 residues GHRH-R (class B GPCR) 863288-34-0 C152H252N44O42 3367.95
Ipamorelin Ghrelin mimetic (GHRP) 5 residues GHS-R1a (class A GPCR) 170851-70-4 C38H49N9O5 711.9

Because the two molecular weights differ by almost five-fold, equal masses are not equal molar amounts: 5 mg of ipamorelin is about 7.0 micromoles, while 5 mg of CJC-1295 no DAC is about 1.5 micromoles. Any experiment that compares the two must be planned in molarity, not milligrams.

What is CJC-1295 no DAC?

CJC-1295 no DAC is the 29-residue amino-terminal fragment of GHRH with four residues substituted: D-alanine at position 2, glutamine at 8, alanine at 15 and leucine at 27, and a C-terminal carboxamide. Full sequence: Tyr-D-Ala-Asp-Ala-Ile-Phe-Thr-Gln-Ser-Tyr-Arg-Lys-Val-Leu-Ala-Gln-Leu-Ser-Ala-Arg-Lys-Leu-Leu-Gln-Asp-Ile-Leu-Ser-Arg-NH2. The substitutions remove the dipeptidyl-peptidase-IV cleavage site at Ala2-Asp3 and replace oxidation- and deamidation-prone residues, which is why the analog is far more stable in assay buffer than native GHRH(1-29). The chemistry is covered in detail in CJC-1295 explained: Modified GRF(1-29) and the DAC modification. The catalog form carries no Drug Affinity Complex; the difference is laid out in CJC-1295 with DAC vs no DAC.

What is ipamorelin?

Ipamorelin is a synthetic pentapeptide, Aib-His-D-2-Nal-D-Phe-Lys-NH2, in which three of five residues are non-proteinogenic. It is a growth-hormone secretagogue receptor agonist, a ghrelin mimetic, and is noted in the literature for its selectivity for GHS-R1a over other receptor systems. Its structure and handling are profiled in ipamorelin peptide: pentapeptide structure and stability, and its receptor selectivity in ipamorelin and GHS-receptor selectivity.

Why are a GHRH analog and a ghrelin mimetic co-formulated?

The two receptors sit on the same somatotroph cell but signal through different G proteins. GHRH-R couples to Gs and raises cyclic AMP; GHS-R1a couples mainly to Gq/11 and raises intracellular calcium through phospholipase C. In pituitary cell models the two inputs are not simply additive, and the question of how a cAMP signal and a calcium signal combine in one cell is the central reason the pair is studied together. The experimental logic is developed in why pair a GHRH analog with a GHRP? and the broader receptor-class comparison in GHRH analogs vs GH secretagogues.

How is the blend used in vitro?

Typical designs run each component alone and the two together at matched molar concentrations in cells expressing one or both receptors: HEK293 or CHO cells transfected with GHRH-R or GHS-R1a for single-receptor pharmacology, and primary or immortalized pituitary cells for the combined readout. Measurements are cAMP accumulation (HTRF or ELISA), calcium flux (Fluo-4 or aequorin) and CRE- or SRE-driven reporter expression, always against vehicle and single-agonist controls. Methods are described in GPCR binding assays in vitro.

How do you confirm both peptides are in the vial?

A two-component blend needs a COA that reports each peptide separately. HPLC should show two principal peaks with individual purity values, and mass spectrometry should show ipamorelin at [M+H]+ about 712.9 and CJC-1295 no DAC as a multiply charged envelope ([M+3H]3+ about 1123.6, [M+4H]4+ about 843.0). The sourcing checklist and the 5 mg / 5 mg reconstitution math are in sourcing a two-component blend: COA and ratio verification.

Related research guides

Research-use note

All materials discussed are supplied for in vitro laboratory research use only, and are not for human or animal use.

Frequently asked questions

What is the CJC-1295 ipamorelin blend?

A co-formulated research blend of CJC-1295 without DAC (Modified GRF(1-29), 3367.95 g/mol, a GHRH-receptor agonist) and ipamorelin (711.9 g/mol, a GHS-R1a agonist), supplied as 5 mg / 5 mg lyophilized powder for in vitro receptor and cell-signaling research. View Ipamorelin/CJC-1295

Why are CJC-1295 and ipamorelin combined?

They act on two different receptors on the same pituitary cell: GHRH-R raises cyclic AMP and GHS-R1a raises intracellular calcium, so the pair is used to study how the two signals combine in one cell model.

Is the CJC-1295 in the blend the DAC or no-DAC form?

The catalog blend uses CJC-1295 without DAC, also called Modified GRF(1-29); it has no albumin-binding Drug Affinity Complex attached. View CJC-1295 no DAC

How do I check both peptides are present?

The COA should show two HPLC peaks with separate purity values and two mass-spec signatures: ipamorelin at about 712.9 and CJC-1295 no DAC as a multiply charged envelope near 1123.6 and 843.0.

Is the blend for human or animal use?

No. It is supplied for in vitro laboratory research use only.

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