Humanin is strictly for laboratory research and is commonly employed in the following investigational areas:

Neurodegeneration and Amyloid-Beta Toxicity

Humanin is a foundational reagent in neurobiological models of Alzheimer’s disease. Researchers apply the peptide to cultured neurons to quantify its ability to suppress neurotoxicity induced by various amyloid-beta fragments, preserving synaptic plasticity and completely preventing early-stage caspase activation.

Mitochondrial Bioenergetics and Apoptosis

In experimental models of hypoxia, ischemia, and starvation, Humanin is used to map intrinsic apoptotic pathways. Assays focus on how the peptide’s direct physical interaction with BAX prevents mitochondrial membrane permeabilization, thereby preserving ATP production and oxidative phosphorylation efficiency under extreme distress.

Metabolic Homeostasis and Glucoregulation

Physiological studies employ Humanin to observe its regulatory effects on metabolism and the endocrine system. Researchers evaluate its capacity to interact with the IGF-1/IGFBP-3 axis to improve hypothalamic insulin sensitivity, regulate hepatic glucose output, and normalize systemic energy expenditure.

Cardiovascular Ischemia and Endothelial Function

Due to its profound cytoprotective traits, Humanin is widely investigated in cardiovascular models. Experimental protocols assess its utility in reducing myocardial infarct size, mitigating oxidative damage in cardiomyocytes, and preventing oxidized LDL-induced apoptosis in human endothelial cells.

Pathway / Mechanistic Context

The primary mechanism of action for Humanin in research settings is dual-modal, orchestrating survival through both direct intracellular binding and extracellular signal transduction.

• Intracellular BAX Antagonism: Within the cytosol, Humanin directly binds to the pro-apoptotic protein BAX. This interaction physically prevents BAX from oligomerizing and translocating to the mitochondrial membrane, halting the release of cytochrome c and terminating the intrinsic apoptotic cascade.
• Extracellular Receptor Activation: Secreted Humanin functions as a ligand for the GPCR FPR2 or the CNTFR/WSX-1/gp130 complex. Binding triggers the phosphorylation and activation of the JAK2/STAT3 and ERK1/2 MAPK signaling cascades, which profoundly upregulate survival gene transcription.
• Resulting Flux: The combination of neutralizing mitochondrial collapse and upregulating extracellular survival signaling creates a cytoprotective shield. This dual action preserves cellular viability across a wide spectrum of stress states, including neurotoxicity, severe oxidative stress, and nutrient deprivation.

Preclinical Research Summary

Published preclinical literature documents investigations of Humanin across multiple distinct experimental models:

• Cognitive Preservation: In transgenic rodent models expressing human Alzheimer’s mutations, exogenous administration of Humanin successfully attenuated spatial memory deficits and significantly reduced the localized accumulation of neurotoxic amyloid plaques.
• Cardioprotection: Research demonstrates that pretreatment with Humanin during experimental myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury drastically reduces cardiac apoptosis, preserves left ventricular hemodynamics, and inhibits reactive oxygen species (ROS) production.
• Metabolic Regulation: Preclinical data indicates that continuous Humanin exposure improves systemic insulin action and reduces weight gain in diet-induced obesity models, functioning as a systemic signal for metabolic allostasis.
• Macrophage Modulation: Recent studies highlight that Humanin reduces the accumulation of lipid droplets in macrophages and shifts their polarization away from pro-inflammatory phenotypes, indicating a role in mitigating the progression of atherosclerotic plaques.

Form & Analytical Testing

This material is produced via robust solid-phase chemical synthesis and supplied as a lyophilized (freeze-dried) powder.

• Lyophilization: Removes water content under vacuum to maintain compound integrity and extend shelf-life.
• Identity Verification: Each lot undergoes Mass Spectrometry (MS) to confirm molecular weight and identity.
• Purity Verification: High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) is performed to ensure the product meets the ≥99% purity standard required for reproducible research data.

Storage & Handling

Stable at room temperature for up to 90 days. For long-term storage, keep at -20C (-4F) or colder. Once mixed with a solvent (e.g., bacteriostatic water), the solution must be stored at 4C (39F) and utilized within 30 days. Avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles, as this degrades the delicate peptide structure.

Referenced Citations

References are provided for informational purposes only and are not clinical claims.

• Guo, B., Zhai, D., Cabezas, E., Welsh, K., Nouraini, S., Satterthwait, A. C., & Reed, J. C. (2003). Humanin peptide suppresses apoptosis by interfering with Bax activation. Nature, 423(6938), 456-461. https://doi.org/10.1038/nature01536
• Ying, G., Iribarren, P., Zhou, Y., Gong, W., Zhang, N., Yu, Z. X., … & Wang, J. M. (2004). Humanin, a newly identified neuroprotective factor, uses the G protein-coupled formylpeptide receptor-like-1 as a functional receptor. The Journal of Immunology, 172(11), 7078-7085. https://doi.org/10.4049/jimmunol.172.11.7078
• Bachar, A. R., Scheffer, L., Schroeder, A. S., DeKelver, R. C., Halo, T. L., Ahn, B. S., … & Cohen, P. (2010). Humanin is expressed in human vascular walls and has a cytoprotective effect against oxidized LDL-induced apoptosis. Cardiovascular Research, 88(2), 360-366. https://doi.org/10.1093/cvr/cvq235
• Kim, S. J., Xiao, J., Wan, J., Cohen, P., & Yen, K. (2017). Mitochondrially derived peptides as novel regulators of metabolism. The Journal of Physiology, 595(21), 6613-6621. https://doi.org/10.1113/JP274472
• Zaręba-Kozioł, M., Bartkowiak-Maciejewska, A., & Wójtowicz, T. (2021). Mitochondrial-Derived Peptides in Neurodegenerative Diseases. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 22(19), 10712. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms221910712

• Stable at room temperature for up to 90 days. For long-term storage, keep at -20°C (-4°F) or colder.
• Once mixed with a solvent (e.g., bacteriostatic water), the solution must be stored at 4 °C (39°F) and utilized within 30 days. Avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles, as this degrades the peptide structure.

RESEARCH USE ONLY

This product is intended strictly for laboratory research use only. It is not for human or veterinary use. It is not intended for diagnosis, treatment, cure, or prevention of any disease. All purchases are subject to our Terms of Service and Purity Guarantee.

No COAs available for this product.