HGH
Human Growth Hormone · 191-residue protein
Identifier graph
Cross-references to canonical chemistry knowledge graphs. Each binding is the same identity used in PubMed-indexed literature.
What is HGH?
Human growth hormone (HGH, somatropin, somatotropin) is a 191-residue protein synthesised by somatotroph cells of the anterior pituitary. It is the principal driver of postnatal growth, of body-composition partitioning in adults, and of hepatic IGF-1 synthesis. Recombinant HGH is MHRA-licensed in the UK for growth-hormone deficiency in children and adults (multiple branded products).
CAS 12629-01-5, molecular formula C₉₉₀H₁₅₂₉N₂₆₃O₂₉₉S₇, molecular weight 22,124 Da. Wikidata QID Q19709937, ChEMBL ID CHEMBL6068603.
Mechanism of action
HGH binds the growth-hormone receptor (GHR) — a class-I cytokine receptor that dimerises on ligand binding and triggers JAK2/STAT5 signalling. Direct GHR activation in liver produces IGF-1 secretion (the principal downstream growth mediator); direct GHR activation in adipose tissue and skeletal muscle produces lipolysis and amino-acid uptake respectively.
Recombinant HGH and pituitary-derived HGH have identical sequence; recombinant material is the only form used in modern research and clinical practice.
Research context
Used as a reference standard for HGH-receptor pharmacology research, in growth-factor signalling studies, and in clinical-research models of growth-hormone deficiency. HGH is the most clinically-developed pituitary peptide hormone, with decades of safety and efficacy data in licensed indications.
Analytical specifications
Every batch of HGH 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: HGH is a 22 kDa protein with two intra-chain disulfide bonds. Identity is confirmed by SDS-PAGE and ESI-MS; activity is assessed by receptor-binding assay. Improper handling (heat, agitation, freeze-thaw cycling) can produce aggregation or disulfide scrambling.
UK regulatory status
Human growth hormone and its synthetic analogues are Class C controlled drugs under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 (Schedule 4 Part II) when intended for human administration. NMChem supplies these compounds strictly as research-grade reference standards for laboratory characterisation and in-vitro / preclinical research. Material must be retained within licensed research premises and is not for human or veterinary therapeutic use. Buyers are responsible for compliance with the Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2001 and any institutional controlled-substance licensing requirements.
Research literature
Selected peer-reviewed publications from PubMed referencing this compound.
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Efficacy and Safety of Weekly Somatrogon vs Daily Somatropin in Children With Growth Hormone Deficiency: A Phase 3 Study.
Deal CL et al. · The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism · 2022
PubMed PMID 35405011 -
Somatropin (Zorbtive): in short bowel syndrome.
Keating GM et al. · Drugs · 2004
PubMed PMID 15200350 -
Somatropin and glucose homeostasis: considerations for patient management.
Jørgensen JO et al. · Treatments in endocrinology · 2002
PubMed PMID 15799216
Related compounds
Other research compounds in adjacent mechanism classes or commonly used alongside HGH.