CJC-1295 no DAC is a synthetic 29-amino-acid analog of growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH), also widely known as modified GRF (1-29) or mod GRF 1-29. Researchers use it to study the GHRH receptor and the pulsatile release of growth hormone from the pituitary gland. PRIME supplies it as CJC-1295 NO DAC, a lyophilized peptide for laboratory research use only.
What is CJC-1295 no DAC?
Native human GHRH is a 44-amino-acid hypothalamic hormone. Early research established that the first 29 amino acids, known as GRF (1-29), carry the sequence needed for full receptor activity. The unmodified fragment is broken down quickly, however, particularly by the enzyme dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4), which cleaves near the N-terminus.
Modified GRF (1-29) addresses this with four amino acid substitutions within the 29-residue chain. These changes were chosen to make the peptide more resistant to enzymatic degradation and less prone to chemical breakdown, while keeping its ability to activate the GHRH receptor. The result is a stabilized, but still relatively short-acting, GHRH analog.
CJC-1295 with DAC vs without DAC
The name CJC-1295 causes regular confusion. It was originally used for a version of this analog that carries a Drug Affinity Complex (DAC): a lysine residue bearing a reactive linker that bonds to circulating albumin. That albumin attachment greatly extends how long the peptide remains active. The no DAC version, the one covered here, lacks that linker. Researchers choose between them depending on whether their study needs a brief, pulse-like signal or a sustained one, so it is important to confirm which form a product actually is. Mixing up the two can make results hard to interpret, since the duration of the growth hormone signal is often the very variable under study.
How CJC-1295 no DAC works: mechanism studied in research
CJC-1295 no DAC binds the GHRH receptor, a class B G protein-coupled receptor expressed on somatotroph cells in the anterior pituitary. Receptor activation raises intracellular cyclic AMP, which stimulates both the release of stored growth hormone and the synthesis of new hormone.
An important point in the research literature is that GHRH analogs work within the body's existing regulatory system rather than bypassing it. Growth hormone release stimulated this way remains subject to inhibition by somatostatin and to feedback from downstream signals such as insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), which the liver produces in response to growth hormone. Because the no DAC form is relatively short-acting, it has been studied as a way to produce a discrete pulse of growth hormone that resembles the natural pulsatile pattern.
GHRH analogs are frequently studied together with growth hormone secretagogues such as ipamorelin, which act through a different target, the ghrelin receptor. Because the two classes work through separate pathways, their combined effect on growth hormone release has been described as greater than either alone in research settings.
Areas of research
- Growth hormone axis physiology: studying GHRH receptor signaling and the regulation of pulsatile growth hormone release.
- DAC vs no DAC pharmacology: comparing short-acting and albumin-bound GHRH analogs and how signal duration shapes downstream responses.
- Combination with secretagogues: examining how GHRH analogs interact with ghrelin receptor agonists such as ipamorelin.
- Metabolism and body composition: investigated in animal models of growth hormone and IGF-1 signaling in muscle, fat and bone.
- Aging of the GH axis: research into the age-related decline in growth hormone secretion.
- Peptide analog design: a reference example of how targeted substitutions can improve peptide stability.
CJC-1295 no DAC key facts
| Property | Detail |
|---|---|
| Compound | CJC-1295 no DAC (modified GRF 1-29) |
| Class | GHRH analog (growth hormone-releasing hormone receptor agonist) |
| Structure | 29-amino-acid synthetic peptide based on GRF (1-29) with four amino acid substitutions; no albumin-binding DAC linker |
| Form supplied | Lyophilized (freeze-dried) powder in a sealed vial |
| Research status | Research compound; not an FDA-approved medicine |
| Storage | Lyophilized: cold, dry and protected from light. Reconstituted: refrigerated, following lab protocol |
Handling and storage in the lab
Like most research peptides, CJC-1295 no DAC is supplied as a lyophilized powder, which is the most stable form for shipping and storage. Keep unopened vials refrigerated or frozen, dry and away from light. Allow a cold vial to come to room temperature before opening it so moisture does not condense on the powder.
For lab use, the peptide is commonly reconstituted with a sterile diluent such as bacteriostatic water. Add the diluent slowly down the inside wall of the vial and swirl gently until the powder dissolves; avoid shaking. Label the vial with the compound, date and concentration, keep the solution refrigerated and protected from light, and use sterile technique each time it is accessed. Shorter GHRH fragments can be sensitive to degradation in solution, so many labs prepare only what they need and avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles, dividing longer-term material into single-use aliquots.
These are general laboratory handling notes. Follow your institution's procedures and the documentation supplied with the product.
Quality and lab results
Because CJC-1295 is sold under similar names in more than one form, identity testing is especially important: a study designed around a short-acting GHRH analog can be undermined by the wrong variant. Every PRIME batch has a published certificate of analysis, available on the lab results page. Check the lot number on your vial against the matching report and keep the COA with your experimental records.
Related research
CJC-1295 no DAC is most often discussed alongside ghrelin receptor agonists. For a direct comparison of the two mechanisms, see CJC-1295 vs ipamorelin. If your work involves the combined product, read the CJC-1295 and ipamorelin blend guide. For an FDA-approved GHRH analog used as a comparator, see the tesamorelin research guide.
CJC-1295 no DAC FAQ
Is CJC-1295 no DAC the same as mod GRF 1-29?
Yes. CJC-1295 no DAC, modified GRF (1-29), mod GRF 1-29 and tetrasubstituted GRF (1-29) are names used for the same stabilized 29-amino-acid GHRH analog without the DAC linker.
What is the difference between CJC-1295 with DAC and without DAC?
The DAC version carries a linker that binds albumin, which greatly extends its duration of action. The no DAC version lacks it and is relatively short-acting, which is why it has been studied for pulse-like growth hormone release.
Why is CJC-1295 no DAC studied with ipamorelin?
They act on different receptors: CJC-1295 on the GHRH receptor and ipamorelin on the ghrelin receptor. Research has explored how activating both pathways together affects growth hormone release compared with either one alone.
Is CJC-1295 FDA approved?
No. CJC-1295, with or without DAC, is a research compound and is not an FDA-approved medicine. Tesamorelin is the GHRH analog that holds FDA approval, as Egrifta.
How should CJC-1295 no DAC be stored in the lab?
Keep lyophilized vials cold, dry and away from light. Once reconstituted, refrigerate the solution, protect it from light, avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles and handle it with sterile technique.
For laboratory research use only. Not for human consumption. Not a drug, food or cosmetic.