IGF DES

Product Details

IGF DES (des(1-3)IGF-1) — Research Grade Recombinant Protein, ≥95% Purity

Truncated IGF-1 analog. Reduced IGFBP affinity. Lyophilized powder. Lot-specific COA included.

IGF DES (des(1-3)IGF-1), also known as truncated IGF-1 or N-terminal truncated IGF-1, is a recombinant analog of human insulin-like growth factor-1 missing the N-terminal Gly-Pro-Glu tripeptide. The compound was first characterized in the 1990s, and its defining property is a dramatically reduced affinity for IGF-binding proteins (IGFBPs) — approximately 30- to 100-fold lower than native IGF-1.

The consequence of this reduced IGFBP binding is a fundamentally different pharmacokinetic profile from native IGF-1. Native IGF-1 is rapidly sequestered by IGFBPs in circulation, which extends its half-life but limits the free (receptor-available) fraction. IGF-1 DES largely escapes this sequestration, producing higher concentrations of free peptide at the receptor — yielding roughly 2–10× potency vs native IGF-1 in preclinical assays — but also a very short half-life of approximately 20–30 minutes.

IGF DES acts as an agonist at the IGF-1 receptor (IGF-1R), activating the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway that regulates protein synthesis, cell proliferation, and cell survival. Because it engages the same receptor as native IGF-1 but with reduced IGFBP buffering, the temporal dynamics of receptor activation differ from both native IGF-1 and the longer-acting LR3 analog.

Supplied as a sterile-filtered, lyophilized powder for in vitro and preclinical research applications. Each lot is independently verified for purity and identity and ships with a Certificate of Analysis.

IGF DES Specifications

Note: IGF DES is a truncated IGF-1 protein (67 amino acids, ~7.4 kDa), not the 83-amino-acid IGF-1 LR3 analog. Suppliers list CAS numbers 112603-35-7 and 134091-46-6 for products labeled ” IGF DES “; verify the exact sequence, molecular weight, and purity against the Certificate of Analysis supplied with your lot. A COA that lists only a CAS number without molecular weight confirmation is not adequate documentation for this product.

Research applications

IGF DES is used in laboratory settings to investigate:

• IGF-1 receptor signaling — activation of IGF-1R and downstream PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathways in cell culture models, with reduced IGFBP buffering producing higher free peptide concentrations at the receptor

• IGFBP interaction research — the 30- to 100-fold reduced IGFBP-3 affinity that distinguishes DES from native IGF-1, and its effects on bioavailability and clearance

• Hippocampal synaptic plasticity — a 40% increase in field excitatory postsynaptic potential (fEPSP) slope with application of des-IGF-1 (40 ng/mL) at excitatory synapses in the CA1 region of rat hippocampus, providing insight into cognitive benefits of IGF-1 in aged rats

• Mucosal adaptation and short bowel research — des-(1-3)-IGF-I enhancing mucosal adaptation after jejunoileal resection in animal models, with both IGF-I and des-IGF-I suggested as potential therapeutic agents for short bowel patients

• Olfactory bulb and neural cell growth — des(1-3)IGF-I potently enhancing differentiated cell growth in olfactory bulb organ culture, with the truncated analog identified as a potent IGF-I analog isolated from rat and human brain

• Cell culture and bioprocessing — IGF-1 DES as a cell culture reagent where its reduced IGFBP affinity and acute signaling profile offer advantages over native IGF-1 for specific applications

• Comparative IGF analog pharmacology — head-to-head comparison of DES versus native IGF-1 and LR3 for receptor binding, potency, and metabolic stability

• Analytical method development — LC-MS/MS quantification and reference standard preparation for truncated IGF analog analysis

Handling and storage

Lyophilized powder: Store at −20 °C, desiccated and protected from light. Powder is stable for up to 2 years under sealed, desiccated conditions.

Reconstitution: Reconstitute under aseptic conditions using sterile water or an appropriate aqueous buffer. Centrifuge the vial briefly before opening to bring contents to the bottom. Avoid vortexing or vigorous pipetting. For long-term storage of reconstituted solution, consider adding a carrier protein (0.1% BSA).

Reconstituted solution: Store at 2–8 °C and use within 14–21 days. Aliquot into single-use portions to avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles. Do not freeze reconstituted solution repeatedly.

IGF DES For laboratory use by qualified personnel only.