Description
IGF-DES (also known as IGF-1 DES, DES(1-3)IGF-1) is a short peptide form of insulin-like growth factor. Its structure is a 67-amino acid peptide formed by truncating the first three amino acids from the N-terminus of the natural human IGF-1 molecule. Due to this truncated structure, IGF-DES exhibits significantly different properties from standard IGF-1 in terms of molecular conformation, receptor affinity, local action, and tissue distribution. IGF-DES was initially used primarily for research, such as studying the local tissue response of IGF-1, cell proliferation models, signaling pathway studies, and specific metabolic studies. As a highly active peptide raw material, it is gradually gaining an important position in the research-grade market.
Key differences from IGF-1:
● Simple structure: Shorter peptide chain (70 amino acids vs. 73 amino acids).
● Protein-independent: It exerts its effect without IGFBP mediation.
● Site-specific action: Produces a local effect after intramuscular injection.
What is IGF-DES(1-3)?
IGF-DES (1-3) is a truncated synthetic analog of insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1). To understand DES, one must first understand IGF-1. IGF-1 is a natural hormone primarily produced in the liver in response to stimulation by growth hormone (GH). It is a major mediator of GH anabolic metabolism (muscle growth), playing a crucial role in childhood growth and development and continuing to exert anabolic effects in adults.
Naturally present IGF-1 almost always binds to one of several IGF-binding proteins (IGFBPs). These binding proteins significantly prolong the half-life of IGF-1 in the blood, from minutes to hours. However, this binding also inhibits its biological activity because the protein complex is too large to leave capillaries and interact with muscle and fat cells.
This is the fundamental difference between IGF-DES and IGF-DES. "DES" stands for "Des(1-3)", indicating that the first three amino acids of the IGF-1 chain have been removed. This seemingly minor change has profound implications:
● Reduced binding affinity: DES modification significantly reduces the affinity of the peptide for IGFBP.
● Enhanced potency: Unbound "free" IGF-DES exhibits a much higher affinity for the IGF-1 receptor (IGF-1R) on target cells-reportedly 5 to 10 times higher than native IGF-1.
● Local action: Because it does not require binding proteins to deliver it into the bloodstream, the activity of IGF-DES is primarily limited to the site of administration. It mainly acts on specific muscle groups injected, with very little systemic diffusion.
2 mg vials are a common packaging format, containing lyophilized powder that needs to be reconstituted with antibacterial water before use.
Quality Control and Testing Standards
To ensure the quality of research-grade IGF-DES, rigorous quality control testing is required, including:
1. Purity Analysis
Mainstream Analytical Methods:
High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC)
Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS)
MALDI-TOF Mass Spectrometry
High-quality products typically require a purity standard ≥98%.
2. Molecular Weight Confirmation
Mass spectrometry analysis is used to ensure that the molecular weight matches the theoretical value, avoiding impurities such as truncated peptides and oxidized peptides.
3. Bioactivity-Related Assays (Research Fields)
Including:
IGF-1R Binding Capacity Assessment
PI3K/Akt Pathway Regulatory Strength Assessment
Cell Viability and Proliferation Assays
These assays are for research purposes only and cannot be used for any clinical applications.
4. Endotoxin Detection
High-quality IGF-DES must pass the following tests:
Limulus Amebocyte Lysate (LAL) assay to detect endotoxin levels
Ensure compliance with research-grade or sterile standards
Core Advantages of IGF-DES
From a research perspective, IGF-DES has the following prominent characteristics:
1. Increased Local Activity
Due to a significantly reduced binding capacity to IGFBP, IGF-DES has a higher free concentration in local tissues, making it easier to bind to IGF-1R and trigger signal transduction.
2. Faster Signaling Pathway Activation
After binding to its receptor, IGF-DES can activate:
PI3K/Akt pathway
MAPK/ERK pathway
These are commonly used pathways for studying cell growth, differentiation, repair, and metabolism.
3. Strong Tissue Penetration
Compared to intact IGF-1, its shorter molecule and higher curvature give it greater permeability.
4. Applicable to various research models
Including:
Cell proliferation experiments
Tissue regeneration models
Metabolic pathway studies
Growth factor kinetic analysis
Local stimulus-related models
5. Easy freeze-drying and preservation of raw materials
Structurally stable, freeze-dried for convenient long-term storage.
Our Advantages
1. Quality: Every product undergoes rigorous testing by our professionals and is ISO certified.
2. Price: As a factory, our prices are significantly lower than our competitors. Discounts are available for bulk orders.
3. Shipping: We have ample stock and can ship within 24 hours of payment.
4. Comprehensive reshipment policy to maximize customer benefits and minimize potential losses.
5. Excellent after-sales service: We track your package status until delivery and make every effort to resolve any issues you encounter.
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