MGF (Mechano Growth Factor)
IGF-1 Ec splice-variant peptide
Overview
MGF (Mechano Growth Factor) is a 24-amino-acid C-terminal peptide derived from the IGF-1 Ec splice variant, an alternative splicing of the IGF-1 gene that produces an E-domain extension distinct from the more commonly characterized IGF-1Ea form. Mechanical loading and exercise stress in skeletal muscle preferentially induce the Ec splice variant, hence the name 'Mechano Growth Factor'. The C-terminal E-peptide is hypothesized to act through a receptor distinct from the classical IGF-1 receptor and to drive satellite-cell proliferation in muscle-repair research models. Lyochem supplies unmodified MGF (the synthetic C-terminal E-peptide rather than the full IGF-1 Ec protein) as a lyophilized 2 mg vial at ≥99.0% HPLC purity. The molecule is exceptionally short-lived in plasma (minutes), which is why PEGylated MGF is the more commonly used commercial form for in vivo research workflows. Unmodified MGF is appropriate for cell-culture studies of MGF biology where the short half-life is not a limitation. Sequence verification by LC-MS/MS is recommended at first-time supplier qualification because MGF's sequence overlap with IGF-1 means cross-supplier identity confirmation requires explicit sequencing rather than mass-alone confirmation.
Who buys this, and why
GH-axis peptides ship to research labs studying somatotropic-pathway pharmacology, IGF-axis signalling, and pulse vs. sustained-elevation GH biology. Buyers qualifying a new source typically request sequence verification on the first lot, the counter-ion form (acetate by default), and stability data at −20 °C. Blends — the CJC-1295 + Ipamorelin co-formulated lot is the canonical example — are co-lyophilised rather than solution-mixed so the ratio is locked at the lyophilisation step.
Primary buyer fit: academic and contract research laboratories.
Specifications
- CAS
- (verification pending, please confirm via COA)
- Purity (HPLC)
- ≥ 99.0%
- Common vial sizes
- 2 mg
- MOQ
- On request
- Lead time
- 14–21 days
- Storage
- -20°C, protect from light
Documentation available on request
- Lot-specific Certificate of Analysis (CoA)
- RP-HPLC chromatogram with peak integration
- ESI-MS identity confirmation (±0.5 Da)
- Sequence verification by LC-MS/MS
- Water content by Karl Fischer
- SDS / MSDS
- Counter-ion analysis (acetate vs TFA)
- Stability at −20 °C across 12 months
- Solubility in BAC water / PBS reconstitution
Regulatory note
CAS for unmodified MGF is not consistently standardized across suppliers; confirm sequence and PEG status (if any, unmodified MGF should not have PEG) via batch COA.
Frequently asked questions
What's the difference between MGF and IGF-1?▾
IGF-1 (Insulin-like Growth Factor 1) is the full-length 70-amino-acid mature growth factor expressed primarily by the liver in response to growth hormone signaling. MGF (Mechano Growth Factor) is a 24-amino-acid C-terminal peptide derived from a splice variant of the IGF-1 gene (the IGF-1Ec splice variant) that is preferentially induced in skeletal muscle by mechanical loading. The C-terminal E-peptide is the part that distinguishes MGF from the more commonly characterized IGF-1Ea form, and is hypothesized to act through a receptor distinct from the classical IGF-1 receptor. Practically: IGF-1 LR3 is the right tool for studying IGF-1 receptor pharmacology; MGF is the right tool for studying the E-peptide-specific satellite-cell signaling that drives muscle repair.
Why is MGF rarely used in vivo despite the muscle-repair research interest?▾
Unmodified MGF has an exceptionally short plasma half-life (minutes), making it impractical for any in vivo workflow that requires sustained exposure across hours or days. The very short half-life is biologically appropriate, MGF is intended to be a local autocrine/paracrine signal in muscle tissue, not a systemic hormone, but it limits the molecule's use in research contexts requiring controlled dosing. PEG-MGF (the PEGylated form) was developed specifically to extend the functional half-life and is the more commonly used form for in vivo work. Unmodified MGF is appropriate for cell-culture and short-duration biochemical assays where the minutes-scale stability is sufficient.
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