What Is CJC-1295 with DAC? Research Overview of the Long-Acting GHRH Analog

Overview

CJC-1295 with DAC (Drug Affinity Complex) is a synthetic analog of growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) that has been developed as a laboratory research tool for studying growth hormone secretagogue pathways. It is structurally related to CJC-1295 without DAC, an article covered separately in this Knowledge Center, but differs by the addition of a chemical conjugation domain designed to bind reversibly to serum albumin. This article is intended for educational and research-context purposes only and does not describe a product currently listed for sale on this site.

Chemical Structure & Characteristics

CJC-1295 with DAC is built on the same 29-amino-acid GHRH(1-29) backbone used in tesamorelin-class analogs, modified with amino acid substitutions reported to confer resistance to enzymatic degradation. The distinguishing feature of the DAC variant is a maleimidopropionic acid (MPA) linker attached to the peptide backbone. In laboratory and in-vitro conditions, this linker reacts covalently with the free thiol group on cysteine-34 of circulating albumin. Because albumin is one of the most abundant and longest-circulating proteins in blood plasma, researchers have used this conjugation strategy as a model for extending the residence time of small peptides that would otherwise be rapidly cleared by peptidases and renal filtration. This chemical modification is the core structural difference that separates the DAC variant from the unconjugated (No-DAC) form of CJC-1295.

Mechanism of Action

Like other GHRH analogs, CJC-1295 with DAC has been studied for its interaction with the growth hormone-releasing hormone receptor (GHRH-R) expressed on somatotroph cells of the anterior pituitary in cell culture and animal models. Receptor-binding studies suggest that occupancy of GHRH-R activates downstream cyclic AMP signaling cascades associated with pulsatile secretion of growth hormone. What differentiates the DAC variant mechanistically is not the receptor interaction itself, which is comparable to the No-DAC form and native GHRH, but the pharmacokinetic profile that results from albumin binding. Preclinical pharmacokinetic research has reported a substantially prolonged plasma half-life for the DAC-conjugated molecule relative to unmodified GHRH analogs, a property that has made it a subject of interest in pharmacokinetic and receptor-desensitization research examining how sustained versus pulsatile receptor stimulation affects downstream signaling over time.

Research Considerations

Researchers working with CJC-1295 with DAC in laboratory settings should be aware of general handling considerations relevant to peptide stability. Lyophilized peptide conjugates are typically sensitive to heat, light, and repeated freeze-thaw cycles, and are commonly stored at low temperatures in a desiccated, sealed state prior to use in experimental protocols. Third-party analytical verification, such as certificates of analysis confirming identity and purity, is a standard practice in peptide research to ensure experimental reproducibility. This section does not constitute instructions for administration, reconstitution volumes, or dosing in any biological system; all such parameters fall outside the scope of this educational resource and are determined solely by qualified researchers operating under appropriate institutional protocols.

Preclinical Research Summary

Published pharmacological literature on GHRH-DAC conjugates has examined topics including receptor-binding affinity, plasma protein interaction kinetics, and growth hormone pulse profiles in animal models. Some studies have used long-acting GHRH analogs as tools to investigate the physiology of the somatotropic axis, including feedback regulation between GHRH, growth hormone, and insulin-like growth factor signaling pathways. This body of research is preclinical and mechanistic in nature; it characterizes molecular and physiological pathways rather than establishing therapeutic outcomes in humans, and no claims regarding treatment, prevention, or cure of any condition are made or implied by this content.

Research Use Only

CJC-1295 with DAC, as referenced on this site, is offered strictly as a research chemical for in-vitro and preclinical laboratory investigation by qualified personnel. It is not intended for human or veterinary use, is not a drug, dietary supplement, or cosmetic, and is not approved by the FDA or any regulatory body for diagnostic, therapeutic, or any other in-vivo application. This compound is not currently listed for purchase on Apex Molecular Labs pending completion of internal certificate-of-analysis and quality-testing procedures; this article is published solely as an educational reference on the underlying chemistry and research literature.