ACE-031
ActRIIB-Fc fusion protein · myostatin inhibitor
Identifier graph
Cross-references to canonical chemistry knowledge graphs. Each binding is the same identity used in PubMed-indexed literature.
- ChEMBL
- CHEMBL2108674
- Molecular weight
- ~57,000 g/mol
What is ACE-031?
ACE-031 is a recombinant fusion protein consisting of the extracellular domain of the activin type IIB receptor (ActRIIB) fused to the Fc region of human immunoglobulin G1. The fusion protein acts as a decoy receptor that sequesters myostatin and related ligands (activin A, GDF-11) before they can bind cell-surface ActRIIB and inhibit muscle growth.
Approximate molecular weight 57,000 Da. ChEMBL ID CHEMBL2108674. ACE-031 progressed through phase II clinical development before being discontinued.
Mechanism of action
Myostatin (also called GDF-8) is a negative regulator of skeletal-muscle mass. It binds cell-surface ActRIIB and triggers SMAD2/SMAD3 signalling that inhibits muscle growth. ACE-031 is a soluble decoy receptor: it presents the ActRIIB ligand-binding domain in circulation, where it binds and sequesters myostatin before it can reach cell-surface receptors.
The Fc fusion confers a long plasma half-life (days to weeks) consistent with antibody-like pharmacokinetics.
Research context
Investigated in clinical and preclinical models of muscular dystrophies (Duchenne, Becker), sarcopenia, and muscle-wasting disorders. ACE-031 progressed through phase II trials in Duchenne MD before development was halted.
Analytical specifications
Every batch of ACE-031 supplied by NMChem is characterised by reversed-phase HPLC for purity determination and by mass spectrometry for identity confirmation. Certificate of Analysis (COA) documents are issued per batch and made available on request.
Identity is confirmed by electrospray-ionisation mass spectrometry (ESI-MS); the observed mass falls within ±2 Da of the theoretical monoisotopic mass calculated from the residue sequence. Purity is determined by reversed-phase HPLC on a C18 column with a trifluoroacetic-acid-modified water/acetonitrile gradient and reported as the area-under-curve percentage of the main peak at 214 nm. NMChem specification is ≥99% main peak. Material ships as lyophilised powder and must be reconstituted in sterile water or bacteriostatic water immediately before use.
Note: ACE-031 is a recombinant protein with the size and complexity of an antibody Fc-fusion. Identity is confirmed by SDS-PAGE and ESI-MS; activity is assessed by myostatin-binding ELISA. Storage requires refrigeration; freeze-thaw cycles must be minimised to preserve activity.
UK regulatory status
Supplied as a research-grade reference standard for laboratory use only. Not a licensed medicinal product in the United Kingdom and not approved by the MHRA for human or veterinary administration. Sale is restricted to researchers, institutions and laboratory professionals; the compound must be retained within research premises. End-user compliance with the Human Medicines Regulations 2012, the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 (where applicable) and local institutional biosafety policy is the responsibility of the buyer.
Research literature
Selected peer-reviewed publications from PubMed referencing this compound.
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Gel Electrophoretic Detection of Black Market ACE-031.
Reichel C et al. · Drug testing and analysis · 2025
PubMed PMID 40312924 -
ACE-031, a Soluble Activin Type IIB Receptor, Increases Muscle Mass and Strength in the Common Marmoset (Callithrix jacchus).
Cadena SM et al. · bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology · 2025
PubMed PMID 41256654 -
A single ascending-dose study of muscle regulator ACE-031 in healthy volunteers.
Attie KM et al. · Muscle & nerve · 2013
PubMed PMID 23169607
Related compounds
Other research compounds in adjacent mechanism classes or commonly used alongside ACE-031.
Frequently asked questions about ACE-031
What is myostatin and why is it a research target?
Get research-grade ACE-031 from NMChem
UK supplier · HPLC and MS verified · Per-batch Certificate of Analysis · Tracked Royal Mail dispatch.