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Research use only
· 7 min read
Sermorelin occupies an unusual position in the GHRH-receptor literature: it is not a synthetic analogue built to improve on the parent hormone but rather the parent hormone, truncated. Human GHRH runs to 44 residues; sermorelin is the first 29 of them, C-terminally amidated, and the structure-activity literature places virtually all the receptor-interacting determinants inside that shorter stretch. This reference consolidates the verified chemical identifiers, the GHRHR mechanism characterised in vitro, the published study programme by design and endpoint name only, and practical laboratory-handling notes. Sermorelin supplied by Kovalabs is for research use only and is not for human or veterinary use; see the sermorelin product page to order the material, and the research disclaimer for the full position.
| Compound | Sermorelin (GRF 1-29 amide) |
|---|---|
| Synonyms / dev code | GRF(1-29)NH2, GHRH(1-29)NH2, hGHRH(1-29)NH2, Growth Hormone Releasing Factor Fragment 1-29 amide (human) |
| Class / mechanism | GHRH-receptor (GHRHR) agonist; class B / secretin-family GPCR ligand |
| Molecular formula | C149H246N44O42S |
| Molecular weight | 3357.9 g/mol |
| CAS number | 86168-78-7 (free peptide) |
| PubChem CID | 16132413 |
| Physical form | Lyophilised white-to-off-white powder (29-residue C-terminally amidated peptide) |
Sermorelin is designated GRF(1-29)-NH2 or GHRH(1-29)NH2: the N-terminal 1-29 residue fragment of human growth-hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH, also termed growth-hormone-releasing factor, GRF), carrying a C-terminal amide. PubChem CID 16132413 is the anchoring record: its synonym set returns SERMORELIN, GRF(1-29)NH2, GHRH(1-29)NH2 and hGHRH(1-29)NH2, and the formula C149H246N44O42S with a molecular weight of 3357.9 g/mol is internally consistent with the CAS 86168-78-7 assignment for the free peptide. The CID, CAS, formula and mass all point to the same molecule - which sounds obvious until you notice that the procurement landscape carries a second CAS number.
That second number, 114466-38-5, appears on some vendor pages for the acetate salt form. The two registry numbers refer to the same peptide sequence in different counterion states. Confirm the salt form intended against the lot Certificate of Analysis before relying on either; certificates for Kovalabs stock are on the COAs page.
| Property | Sermorelin (GRF 1-29) | Reference point |
|---|---|---|
| Molecular target | GHRH receptor (GHRHR) agonist | Class B / secretin-family GPCR on anterior-pituitary somatotrophs |
| Receptor family | Class B (secretin-family) GPCR | Distinct from the GHS-R1a (ghrelin) receptor |
| Sequence basis | N-terminal 1-29 fragment of 44-residue human GHRH | Reported active core retaining in-vitro intrinsic activity |
| C-terminus | Amidated (-NH2) | Free-peptide CAS 86168-78-7 |
| Proximal signalling studied | Gs to adenylyl cyclase, raising cAMP, activating PKA | Receptor-coupling / second-messenger mechanism (in vitro) |
| Reported circulating half-life | On the order of a few minutes (study-reported human PK parameter) | Measured pharmacokinetic parameter only |
| Pathway contrast | GHRHR axis | CJC-1295 DAC is a longer-acting GHRH-analogue research compound in the same receptor class |
Sermorelin is grouped here by receptor pharmacology, not by any indication. Its target is the GHRH receptor (GHRHR), a class B (secretin-family) G-protein-coupled receptor expressed on anterior-pituitary somatotroph cells - the same receptor occupied by the full-length endogenous GHRH ligand. In anterior-pituitary cell systems, agonism at the GHRHR is reported to couple through the stimulatory G-protein (Gs) to adenylyl cyclase, raising intracellular cyclic AMP (cAMP) and activating protein kinase A (PKA). That Gs-cAMP-PKA cascade is the second-messenger mechanism characterised in vitro; no downstream physiological outcome is asserted here.
The structural case for treating residues 1-29 as the active core comes from Campbell et al. (Peptides, 1991; PMID 1656403), a systematic binding and activity study across a GRF-analogue series in pituitary-cell assays. GH-releasing activity correlated directly with GRF-receptor binding affinity across the set, establishing receptor occupancy as the proximal molecular event. Within the 1-29 sequence, mid-region residues contributed more to high-affinity binding than C-terminal residues. A Gly15-to-Ala15 substitution raised GRF-receptor affinity relative to hGRF(1-44)-NH2, an effect attributed to enhanced amphiphilic alpha-helical character; a Sar15 substitution reduced both binding and activity. These are in-vitro binding and structural observations only.
A molecular detail worth keeping straight: the GHRHR axis engaged by sermorelin is distinct from the ghrelin / growth-hormone-secretagogue- receptor (GHS-R1a) pathway that ghrelin-mimetic secretagogues act on. Both sit within the somatotropic axis but operate through different receptors with different ligand classes. Longer-acting GHRH-analogue research compounds in the same receptor class, such as CJC-1295 DAC, are catalogued under the GH-axis category.
The studies below have used sermorelin / GHRH(1-29)NH2. Each is summarised by its design and the name of its pre-specified or measured endpoints only. No result, effect size, direction, or benefit is asserted.
The following are general peptide laboratory-handling notes for bench reference. They are not human-use instructions. Always confirm specifics against the lot Certificate of Analysis on the COAs page.
Sermorelin is a synthetic linear 29-residue C-terminally amidated polypeptide, typically supplied as a lyophilised (freeze-dried) white-to-off-white powder, often with a bulking or stabilising excipient. As a hydrophilic peptide it dissolves readily in aqueous laboratory solvents; gentle swirling is preferred over vigorous shaking to limit peptide shear and foaming. A step-by-step bench protocol is on the reconstitution guide. None of the procedures described there constitute a preparation method for any use in humans or animals.
Lyophilised peptide is most stable stored sealed, desiccated and frozen (commonly -20 C, or colder for long-term archival), protected from light and moisture. Reconstituted aqueous solutions are considerably less stable and are typically refrigerated (2-8 C) for short-term use, with aliquoting recommended to avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles. One degradation route worth noting in assay design: the native GHRH(1-29) sequence is a substrate for dipeptidyl-peptidase-mediated N-terminal cleavage, a known degradation pathway for this peptide class that is relevant to analytical handling and stock-solution management. Purity, identity and mass for each lot are documented on its Certificate of Analysis; those figures should be verified against the lot rather than assumed from the catalogue specification.
Three tiers, read sceptically. Tier one is solid: the chemistry is pinned down - PubChem CID 16132413, CAS 86168-78-7, formula C149H246N44O42S, mass 3357.9 g/mol - and sermorelin is simply the 1-29 fragment of an endogenous human hormone, so its identity is not in doubt. Tier two is the middle ground: the GHRHR target and the Gs-cAMP-PKA coupling rest on in-vitro pituitary-cell and structure-activity work (Campbell, Cervini, Stepien), and a cell in a dish is not a person. Tier three is the weakest: the human record here is a handful of small physiology, dose-response and paediatric studies reported by endpoint name only, with no outcome asserted. It is not a licensed medicine, and it has not been shown to produce defined outcomes in humans. Curiosity is warranted; certainty is not.
Sermorelin supplied by Kovalabs is sold strictly for laboratory research use only. It is not a medicine and is not for human or veterinary use, administration, or consumption. Nothing on this page constitutes a medicinal, therapeutic, diagnostic, efficacy, or human-dosing claim. Every study referenced is described by its design and the name of its endpoints only, with no result, effect size, direction, or benefit asserted or implied. Purchasers are responsible for handling, storing and using the material in accordance with all applicable laws and good laboratory practice. See the full research disclaimer for terms.
Sermorelin is the synthetic peptide corresponding to the N-terminal 1-29 residue fragment of human growth-hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH / GRF), with a C-terminal amide. It is designated GRF(1-29)NH2 or GHRH(1-29)NH2. Its verified identifiers are PubChem CID 16132413, CAS 86168-78-7, formula C149H246N44O42S, and molecular weight 3357.9 g/mol. It is supplied for research use only and is not for human or veterinary use.
Sermorelin is characterised in the literature as an agonist at the growth-hormone-releasing-hormone receptor (GHRHR), a class B / secretin-family G-protein-coupled receptor expressed on anterior-pituitary somatotroph cells. This is a molecular-pharmacology classification, not an indication. The GHRHR pathway is distinct from the ghrelin / GHS-R1a pathway engaged by ghrelin-mimetic secretagogues.
In anterior-pituitary cell systems, agonism at the GHRH receptor is reported to couple through the stimulatory G-protein (Gs) to adenylyl cyclase, raising intracellular cyclic AMP (cAMP) and activating protein kinase A (PKA). In-vitro structure-activity work reported that GH-releasing activity correlated with receptor binding affinity, establishing receptor occupancy as the proximal molecular event. This is described as an in-vitro receptor-coupling mechanism only.
Two registry numbers circulate. CAS 86168-78-7 is the free peptide and is the number consistent with the verified PubChem parent CID, molecular formula and mass; it is the one used throughout this reference. CAS 114466-38-5 appears on some vendor pages for the acetate salt form. Confirm the salt form intended against the lot Certificate of Analysis before relying on either number.
As general peptide-handling practice, lyophilised sermorelin is most stable stored sealed, desiccated and frozen (commonly -20 C), protected from light and moisture. For bench use it is generally reconstituted in an appropriate laboratory aqueous solvent with gentle swirling rather than shaking. Reconstituted solutions are less stable and are typically refrigerated (2-8 C) and aliquoted to avoid repeated freeze-thaw. These are bench notes, not human-use instructions; confirm against the Certificate of Analysis and the reconstitution guide.
No. Sermorelin is supplied for research use only and is not for human or veterinary use. Published studies are described only by their design and the name of their measured endpoints; no result, effect size, direction, or benefit is asserted or implied. See the research disclaimer for the full position.