INSTANTPEPTIDES

CJC-1295 No DAC: Modified GHRH Analog Research Overview

CJC-1295 No DAC is a synthetic peptide based on the active 1-29 amino acid sequence of growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH), engineered with four amino acid substitutions to enhance enzymatic stability. The 'No DAC' designation distinguishes this variant from CJC-1295 with DAC, which includes an additional drug affinity complex linker for extended half-life. This page summarizes the published preclinical research on CJC-1295 No DAC's structure and laboratory applications.

Last reviewed: 2025-09-15·Reviewed by Instant Peptides Research Team

In Stock · Ships Same Day

Order CJC-1295 No DAC

Lyophilized synthetic reference compound. 7x independently tested. Full Certificate of Analysis with every batch.

View product details
7x lab testedShips same day
Research-use reference only. The content below summarizes published preclinical and in vitro research. Not for human or animal consumption, diagnostic, or therapeutic use. Information is provided as an educational resource for qualified research professionals.

Background

CJC-1295 is the designation for a class of GHRH analogs developed at ConjuChem (the 'CJ' prefix). The compound family was designed to address the short half-life of native GHRH by introducing residue substitutions that resist enzymatic degradation. CJC-1295 exists in two main forms: 'with DAC' (with a drug affinity complex linker) and 'without DAC' (without the linker).[1]

CJC-1295 No DAC is based on GHRH(1-29), the truncated active fragment of full-length 44-amino-acid GHRH. The peptide carries four substitutions at positions known to be susceptible to proteolytic cleavage. This is the same backbone as Modified GRF (1-29), and the two designations are often used interchangeably in research literature.[2]

CJC-1295 No DAC is studied as a research reference compound. It has not been approved by the FDA for any human therapeutic, diagnostic, or medical purpose.

Chemistry & Structure

CJC-1295 No DAC is based on the GHRH(1-29) sequence with four amino acid substitutions:

  • Base sequence: Modified GRF(1-29), based on hGHRH(1-29)
  • Substitutions: D-Ala at position 2, Gln at position 8, Ala at position 15, Leu at position 27
  • Length: 29 amino acids
  • Molecular formula: C₁₅₂H₂₅₂N₄₄O₄₂
  • Molecular weight: approximately 3,367 Da

The substitution rationale

Each of the four substitutions targets a specific enzymatic vulnerability:

  • Position 2 (D-Ala): protects against dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) cleavage at the N-terminus, a primary degradation pathway for native GHRH
  • Position 8 (Gln): replaces an asparagine residue prone to deamidation
  • Position 15 (Ala): replaces a glycine residue, contributing to backbone stability
  • Position 27 (Leu): replaces a methionine residue, reducing susceptibility to oxidation

Distinction from CJC-1295 with DAC

The 'No DAC' variant lacks the drug affinity complex linker present on CJC-1295 (DAC), which is a maleimidopropionyl-Lys group that reversibly binds serum albumin. This linker extends half-life dramatically (days vs hours) in vivo. Research applications often choose No DAC when pulsatile GH release pattern preservation is desired, since DAC's continuous receptor activation can blunt pulsatility.[3]

Receptor Pharmacology

CJC-1295 No DAC acts at the GHRH receptor (GHRHR) on pituitary somatotrophs, like its parent GHRH(1-29).

GHRHR binding and signaling

Binding affinity at GHRHR is preserved in CJC-1295 No DAC despite the four amino acid substitutions, since the substitutions target degradation-prone residues rather than receptor-binding determinants. Downstream cAMP signaling and GH release in pituitary cell models proceed as with native GHRH.[1][4]

Pulsatile GH stimulation

Because CJC-1295 No DAC has a moderately extended half-life relative to native GHRH (driven by the four substitutions) but not the dramatic extension of the DAC variant, preclinical studies note that the No DAC form supports more physiological pulsatile GH release patterns than the DAC variant.[3]

Buy CJC-1295 No DAC Research Material

Lab tested · Full COA · Ships same day from US facility

View product

Documented Preclinical Research Areas

CJC-1295 No DAC research has been concentrated in several preclinical domains.

Combination with Ipamorelin

The CJC-1295 No DAC + Ipamorelin pairing is among the most-studied preclinical peptide combinations in growth hormone secretagogue research. The combination targets the GHRHR and GHS-R1a receptor systems in parallel.[4]

Pituitary signaling studies

Pituitary slice preparations and cell cultures expressing GHRHR are used to characterize CJC-1295 No DAC potency, efficacy, and receptor binding kinetics in standard pharmacology assays.[1]

Comparison studies with other GHRH analogs

Sermorelin, Tesamorelin, and CJC-1295 (both forms) are typically compared head-to-head in GHRH-analog research. CJC-1295 No DAC sits between Sermorelin (short half-life) and CJC-1295 DAC (long half-life) on the pharmacokinetic spectrum, making it useful for studies probing the relationship between dosing regimen and response.[5]

Stability & Handling

CJC-1295 No DAC's four substitutions provide enhanced stability over native GHRH, but storage and reconstitution still follow standard practices for synthetic peptides.

Storage

Lyophilized CJC-1295 No DAC is stored at minus 20 degrees Celsius for long-term preservation. Brief refrigerated storage at 4 degrees Celsius is acceptable for actively used material.

Reconstitution

Bacteriostatic water is the standard reconstitution solvent for research preparations. Reconstituted solution is used within 4 to 6 weeks at 4 degrees Celsius.

Quality verification

Quality is verified by HPLC for purity (greater than or equal to 99 percent), mass spectrometry for identity confirmation matching the substituted 29-residue mass, and endotoxin testing. Each batch of Instant Peptides CJC-1295 No DAC ships with a full Certificate of Analysis.

Available Research Material

Instant Peptides supplies CJC-1295 No DAC as a synthetic lyophilized reference compound in 5mg vials. Material is supplied to qualified research professionals and scientific institutions. Not for human or animal consumption.

View the product page for current pricing and the Certificate of Analysis for the active batch.

Ready to order?

Get CJC-1295 No DAC Today

Independently lab-tested with a published Certificate of Analysis for every batch. Lyophilized synthetic reference compound, shipped same day from a US facility.

View product details

Common Questions

What is CJC-1295 No DAC?

CJC-1295 without Drug Affinity Complex is a modified analog of growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) consisting of 29 amino acids. It is manufactured for controlled research applications.

What research involves CJC-1295?

CJC-1295 is studied in preclinical models examining GHRH receptor binding kinetics, signaling pathway activation, and growth hormone axis regulation.

How does the 'no DAC' version differ?

The version without DAC (Drug Affinity Complex) has a shorter activity window, making it useful for studying acute signaling dynamics in controlled experimental protocols.

What makes CJC-1295 suitable for research?

Its well-characterized GHRH receptor binding profile and reproducible activity make it a reliable tool for studying growth hormone pathway signaling.

How is product quality verified?

Every batch undergoes 7 rounds of independent analytical testing including HPLC purity analysis, mass spectrometry identity confirmation, endotoxin screening, and sterility verification. Full Certificates of Analysis documenting all results are available for each production lot.

References

  1. 1.Teichman SL, Neale A, Lawrence B, et al. Prolonged stimulation of growth hormone (GH) and insulin-like growth factor I secretion by CJC-1295. Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism. 2006. PMID: 16352683
  2. 2.Sigalos JT, Pastuszak AW. The Safety and Efficacy of Growth Hormone Secretagogues. Sexual Medicine Reviews. 2018. PMID: 28526632
  3. 3.Ionescu M, Frohman LA. Pulsatile secretion of growth hormone (GH) persists during continuous stimulation by CJC-1295, a long-acting GHRH analog. Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism. 2006. PMID: 16968794
  4. 4.Alba M, Fintini D, Sagazio A, et al. Once-daily administration of CJC-1295, a long-acting growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) analog, normalizes growth in the GHRH knockout mouse. American Journal of Physiology - Endocrinology and Metabolism. 2006. PMID: 16464908
  5. 5.Frohman LA, Kineman RD. Growth hormone-releasing hormone: discovery, regulation, and actions. Endocrinology. 1996. PMID: 8531116

Related Research