CJC-1295 DAC: A Research-Grade Long-Acting GHRH Analog
CJC-1295 DAC is a synthetic analogue of human growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) modified with an albumin-binding “Drug Affinity Complex” (DAC) to extend its half-life. It is studied in preclinical models as a long-acting GHRH agonist【21†L163-L170】【5†L130-L139】. In lab experiments, CJC-1295 DAC stimulates the pituitary to secrete growth hormone (GH) over several days, raising circulating GH and IGF-1 levels【5†L130-L139】【19†L311-L317】. All uses described here are strictly research-only (RUO) with no clinical or therapeutic implication.
Fast Answer
CJC-1295 DAC is a research-grade, long-acting GHRH analogue designed for laboratory studies. It binds serum albumin to prolong its circulation, leading to sustained GH release in animal and human models【21†L163-L170】【5†L130-L139】. Products discussed in this article are intended for laboratory research use only and are not intended for human or animal consumption.
What is CJC-1295 DAC?
CJC-1295 DAC is a peptide research compound: a 30-amino-acid analogue of hypothalamic growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) with chemical modifications. The DAC component is a maleimido-derived lysine at the C-terminus that covalently binds to serum albumin【21†L163-L170】. This albumin-binding tag dramatically prolongs the peptide’s half-life compared to unmodified GRF (1-29). In essence, CJC-1295 with DAC is a stabilized form of GHRH designed for extended action in experimental settings. Its sequence includes amino acid substitutions (e.g. D-Ala^2, Gln^8, etc.) for DPP-IV resistance and a non-native lysine conjugation【21†L163-L170】. Because it is sold as research-use-only, all product documentation emphasizes lab research contexts and provides batch-specific quality data (COA).
Mechanism and Structure
CJC-1295 DAC acts as a growth hormone secretagogue by mimicking native GHRH. In the laboratory, it functions by binding GHRH receptors on anterior pituitary cells, triggering intracellular cAMP signaling and GH synthesis. The unique DAC extension causes the peptide to attach to circulating albumin, preventing rapid degradation【21†L163-L170】. This prolongs the time the peptide is active in the bloodstream. For example, Teichman et al. reported a half-life of about 5.8–8.1 days in humans after a single CJC-1295 dose【5†L130-L139】. In contrast, unmodified GHRH is cleared in minutes. Overall, the DAC moiety enables sustained receptor activation and GH release. The simplified pathway in research can be summarized as follows:
The above flowchart shows that CJC-1295 DAC’s albumin-binding leads to prolonged exposure, which in turn drives downstream GH and IGF-1 effects. Note that researchers focus on biochemical outcomes rather than any clinical endpoints.
Preclinical Research Findings
Published studies in animal models and healthy humans have demonstrated CJC-1295 DAC’s prolonged activity. In rats, Jetté et al. synthesized albumin-reactive GRF analogues and found CJC-1295 produced a 4-fold greater GH response than native GRF over 2 hours, and it remained detectable in circulation beyond 72 hours【21†L163-L170】. In GHRH-knockout mice, Alba et al. showed that once-daily CJC-1295 DAC injections normalized body weight and length and increased pituitary GH mRNA, indicating restored growth despite the genetic deficiency【29†L43-L51】【29†L53-L56】. In human trials, Teichman et al. observed dose-dependent GH increases (2–10x baseline) lasting 6 days or more and IGF-1 elevations for about 1–2 weeks after a single injection【5†L130-L139】. Sackmann-Sala et al. further confirmed that CJC-1295 DAC acutely elevates GH/IGF-1 and alters serum protein profiles one week post-administration【19†L311-L317】.
| Study (Year) | Model | Key Findings |
| Jetté et al. (2005) | Sprague-Dawley rats | CJC-1295 (albumin conjugate) showed 4× GH area-under-curve vs native GRF and remained in plasma >72h【21†L163-L170】. |
| Alba et al. (2006) | GHRH-knockout mice | Daily CJC-1295 DAC normalized growth (body weight/length) and increased pituitary GH mRNA; less effect at lower frequency【29†L43-L51】【29†L53-L56】. |
| Teichman et al. (2006) | Healthy adults | Single/multiple CJC-1295 doses increased GH (2–10×) for ≥6 days and IGF-1 (1.5–3×) for 9–11 days; half-life ≈6–8 days【5†L130-L139】. |
| Sackmann-Sala et al. (2009) | Healthy adults | CJC-1295 DAC raised serum GH/IGF-1 and altered protein biomarkers; detected via proteomic profiling【19†L311-L317】. |
These findings consistently suggest that CJC-1295 DAC acts as an extended-release GHRH: it produces longer-lasting GH secretion than shorter peptides. Researchers use this data to study GH axis physiology and potential GH/IGF-1 effects in vitro or in animal models, always within RUO protocols and without human therapeutic claims.
Analytical Testing and Quality Control
High-purity peptide supply is critical in research. Laboratories verify CJC-1295 DAC identity and purity via analytical methods. A typical Certificate of Analysis (COA) includes mass spectrometry (MS) data confirming the peptide’s molecular weight and chemical composition, and HPLC chromatograms showing purity. For example, advanced LC–MS/MS workflows have been developed to detect GHRH analogs (including CJC-1295 DAC) and their metabolites at low nanogram-per-milliliter levels【39†L147-L154】. In practice, a single sharp peak in the HPLC profile at the expected retention time indicates >95% purity. MS/MS fragmentation patterns or exact mass matching confirm the presence of the DAC modification. Documentation also covers peptide sequence confirmation (often by MALDI-TOF or tandem MS) and checks for impurities (e.g. deletion mutants). Quality control follows best practices for RUO peptides: batch-specific COAs are provided, showing identity (by MS), purity (by HPLC), and sterility/pH if relevant. Researchers should review these data to ensure consistency. In short, peptide QC for CJC-1295 DAC involves standard analytical assays (HPLC and MS) similar to those used for other laboratory peptides【39†L147-L154】.
CJC-1295 DAC vs. Non-DAC Analogues
CJC-1295 DAC is often compared to its non-DAC form (sometimes called “modified GRF (1-29)” or CJC-1295 without DAC). The key difference is the albumin-binding extension. The DAC version circulates for days, while the non-DAC peptide has a very short half-life (minutes)【5†L130-L139】【29†L36-L43】. For example, Teichman et al. estimated 6–8 days half-life with DAC【5†L130-L139】, whereas native GRF or non-DAC analogs clear within minutes. Functionally, both bind GHRH receptors, but CJC-1295 without DAC requires more frequent dosing in experiments to maintain GH pulses. Structurally, CJC-1295 DAC contains an extra maleimido-propionyl-lysine (the DAC group) at the C-terminus【21†L163-L170】, which is absent in the non-DAC form. A comparison is summarized below:
| Feature | CJC-1295 (with DAC) | Modified GRF (no DAC) |
| Albumin binding | Yes (maleimide-Lys tail)【21†L163-L170】 | No |
| Plasma half-life | Extended (~6–8 days in humans)【5†L130-L139】 | Short (minutes)【29†L36-L43】 |
| Receptor activation | Prolonged GH/IGF-1 elevation | Short-lived GH pulses |
| Citation | e.g., Teichman et al. (2006)【5†L130-L139】 | e.g., native GRF pharmacology |
In laboratory planning, choosing between DAC and non-DAC CJC-1295 depends on experimental design. The DAC version is favored for sustained GH release studies, while the non-DAC peptide might model shorter pulses. In all cases, RUO protocols and documentation apply.
FAQs
What is CJC-1295 DAC and how is it used in research?
CJC-1295 DAC is a research-use-only peptide analog of human GHRH. It includes a chemical “Drug Affinity Complex” (DAC) that binds albumin, allowing the peptide to remain in circulation for days【21†L163-L170】. In laboratory studies, it is used to stimulate growth hormone release over extended periods. The compound is supplied with documentation (COA) and is intended only for bench research, not for any clinical or animal treatments.
How does CJC-1295 DAC differ from CJC-1295 without DAC?
The DAC form has an albumin-binding extension, whereas the non-DAC form lacks this tail. As a result, CJC-1295 with DAC has a much longer half-life (about 6–8 days in humans【5†L130-L139】) compared to the non-DAC version (a few minutes). Both activate GHRH receptors to increase GH secretion, but the DAC version produces prolonged, sustained effects while the non-DAC peptide produces short GH pulses.
What effects does CJC-1295 DAC have in preclinical studies?
In animal and human research models, CJC-1295 DAC has been shown to elevate GH and IGF-1 levels significantly. For example, healthy human subjects had 2–10-fold GH increases lasting around 6 days and raised IGF-1 for 9–11 days after a single dose【5†L130-L139】. In GHRH knockout mice, daily CJC-1295 DAC normalized growth and increased pituitary GH expression【29†L43-L52】. These findings indicate that, in a laboratory setting, CJC-1295 DAC effectively simulates extended GHRH activity without implying any clinical outcome.
How is the identity and purity of CJC-1295 DAC verified?
Labs use analytical assays to confirm CJC-1295 DAC quality. A standard Certificate of Analysis will include HPLC chromatograms showing the peptide’s purity (>95% is typical) and mass spectrometry data verifying its molecular weight and sequence. Researchers may also check for the presence of the DAC group by MS/MS fragmentation. These quality tests ensure the peptide is correctly synthesized and suitable for study. Batch-specific documentation is reviewed before use in any experiment.
Can CJC-1295 DAC be used in humans or for therapy?
No. CJC-1295 DAC is labeled and supplied strictly for laboratory research purposes. It is not approved for human or veterinary use, and any clinical or therapeutic applications are outside its scope. Published studies in humans (for example, early clinical trials) are cited for scientific context only, but laboratory products are explicitly marked “research use only” and lack any dosing or use instructions for patients.
Next Steps
Researchers should review batch-specific documentation (Certificate of Analysis) before selecting any RUO peptide. Pure Lab Peptides provides clear product labels and detailed QC data for each peptide. For reliable peptide sourcing, ensure vendor transparency: prioritize products with available COAs, identity verification, and purity analysis rather than unverified claims.
References
- 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. doi.org/10.1210/en.2004-1286
- Teichman SL, Neale A, Lawrence B, et al. “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. doi.org/10.1210/jc.2005-1536
- Alba M, Fintini D, Sagazio A, et al. “Once-daily administration of CJC-1295, a long-acting GHRH analog, normalizes growth in the GHRH knockout mouse.” Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab. 2006;291(6):E1290–E1294. doi.org/10.1152/ajpendo.00201.2006
- Sackmann-Sala L, Ding J, Frohman LA, Kopchick JJ. “Activation of the GH/IGF-1 axis by CJC-1295, a long-acting GHRH analog, results in serum protein profile changes in normal adult subjects.” Growth Horm IGF Res. 2009;19(6):471–477. doi.org/10.1016/j.ghir.2009.03.001
- Memdouh S, Gavrilović I, Ng K, Cowan D, Abbate V. “Advances in the detection of growth hormone releasing hormone synthetic analogs.” Drug Test Anal. 2021;13(11–12):1871–1887. doi.org/10.1002/dta.3183