PEG-MGF (Pegylated Mechano Growth Factor) 2mg

What is PEG-MGF?

PEG-MGF is a pegylated form of Mechano Growth Factor, the synthetic 24-amino-acid peptide (YQPPSTNKNTKSQRRKGSTFEERK) derived from the C-terminal E-domain of the IGF-1Ec splice variant expressed in skeletal muscle after mechanical loading. A polyethylene glycol (PEG) chain is covalently attached to the peptide to shield it from enzymatic degradation.

Native MGF is reported to break down within minutes in solution, which limits its use in experiments requiring sustained exposure. Pegylation increases the molecule’s hydrodynamic size, reduces proteolysis and extends its residence time in culture and in animal models from minutes to hours or longer. Because the PEG chain length varies between suppliers, PEG-MGF has no single CAS number or fixed molecular weight.

GenoPept supplies PEG-MGF to UK laboratories as a 2mg lyophilised vial, third-party verified at ≥99% purity with a batch Certificate of Analysis.

PEG-MGF research applications

PEG-MGF is used where the research question calls for prolonged MGF exposure rather than the brief pulse achievable with the native peptide:

• Satellite cell and myoblast studies – PEG-MGF is investigated for effects on muscle progenitor proliferation and differentiation timing over multi-day culture periods.
• Muscle injury and loading models – animal studies explore the pegylated peptide in models of mechanical damage and recovery, where a longer-lived molecule simplifies dosing schedules.
• Cardiac and neural tissue research – PEG-MGF has been examined in models of ischaemic injury, extending earlier MGF findings.
• Pegylation and delivery studies – the compound serves as a model for how PEG conjugation alters peptide stability, distribution and activity.
• Comparative IGF-1 isoform work – it is studied alongside IGF-1 LR3 and IGF-1 DES(1-3) to separate E-domain effects from mature IGF-1 receptor activity.

As with native MGF, the literature is mixed: some groups report proliferative effects of the E-peptide on muscle cells while others find none, so PEG-MGF remains a research tool rather than a compound with established activity.

Mechanism of action (preclinical)

PEG-MGF shares the proposed mechanism of native MGF. The E-domain peptide does not appear to act through high-affinity IGF-1 receptor binding; instead, preclinical reports suggest an independent pathway that promotes myoblast proliferation and delays terminal differentiation, possibly involving ERK1/2 signalling.

The PEG chain does not itself have biological activity. Its role is to protect the peptide from proteases and renal clearance, lowering the effective exposure needed in vitro and allowing a single addition to persist across longer experimental windows.

PEG-MGF product specifications

Each vial is supplied to the specification below. Rows are limited to values that can be verified from published sources.

Available sizes

• PEG-MGF 2mg vial, lyophilised powder

Bulk and wholesale boxes of 10 vials of PEG-MGF save 20–50% for laboratories running larger studies; see the bulk and wholesale page. Free UK delivery applies to orders of £200 or more.

Reconstitution, handling and storage (laboratory)

PEG-MGF is shipped as a lyophilised powder and should be stored unopened at –20 °C for long-term laboratory storage, or at 2–8 °C for short periods, protected from light. Allow the sealed vial to reach room temperature before opening to avoid condensation on the powder.

To reconstitute, add bacteriostatic water or another sterile diluent slowly down the inside wall of the vial, then swirl gently until dissolved. Never shake, as shear stress can denature the peptide. The PEG conjugate is more stable than native MGF but should still be protected from repeated freeze–thaw cycles. After reconstitution keep the solution at 2–8 °C and use it within the period defined in your laboratory protocol.

Full step-by-step guidance is available in our articles on how to reconstitute research peptides and how to store research peptides. Handle with gloves and standard laboratory precautions.

Quality assurance and Certificate of Analysis

Every batch of PEG-MGF is tested by an independent third-party laboratory (Puralytix, ISO/IEC 17025 accredited). Purity is confirmed by HPLC at ≥99% and identity is confirmed by LC-MS, so the material in the vial matches the label.

A batch-specific Certificate of Analysis is available through the “View Certificate of Analysis” button on this page, and the complete library is published in the COA library. Our guide to what a Certificate of Analysis shows explains how to read the chromatogram and mass spectrum. Vials are batch-identified with lot number and expiry, and orders are dispatched discreetly by tracked Royal Mail Special Delivery within the UK.

Related research compounds

• MGF 2mg – the native, unpegylated E-domain peptide for short-exposure comparisons
• IGF-1 LR3 – long-acting mature IGF-1 analogue used in the same muscle research models
• IGF-1 DES(1-3) 2mg – truncated IGF-1 variant for receptor-focused studies
• CJC-1295 with DAC – another example of a modified peptide with extended stability

PEG-MGF frequently asked questions

What is PEG-MGF used for in research?

PEG-MGF is used in laboratory studies that require sustained exposure to the MGF E-domain peptide. Applications include multi-day myoblast and satellite-cell cultures, animal models of muscle injury and loading, cardiac and neural tissue studies, and research into how pegylation changes peptide stability. Supplied for in-vitro laboratory research only.

How is PEG-MGF supplied and what is its purity?

GenoPept supplies PEG-MGF as 2mg of lyophilised powder in a sealed, sterile glass vial with a black cap and batch label. Each lot is verified by an independent ISO/IEC 17025 laboratory, with ≥99% purity by HPLC and identity confirmed by LC-MS. The batch Certificate of Analysis is available from the product page.

How should PEG-MGF be stored?

Store unopened PEG-MGF at –20 °C for long-term storage or 2–8 °C for short periods, protected from light. After reconstitution with bacteriostatic water, keep the solution refrigerated at 2–8 °C and use within the period set by your laboratory protocol. Avoid repeated freeze–thaw cycles, which can degrade the conjugate.

Is PEG-MGF for human use?

No. PEG-MGF is sold only for in-vitro laboratory research. It is not a medicine, has no approval for human or veterinary use and is not for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes. UK customers must agree to the research use only policy when placing an order.

Why does PEG-MGF have no fixed molecular weight or CAS number?

PEG-MGF is a conjugate rather than a single defined molecule. The 24-amino-acid MGF peptide is fixed, but the attached polyethylene glycol chain varies in length between manufacturers, so the total mass differs from batch to batch. For this reason no single CAS number exists, and GenoPept reports only values that can be verified rather than approximate figures.

Research use only. This product is supplied strictly for in-vitro laboratory research. It is not for human or veterinary use, not a medicine, and not for diagnostic or therapeutic use. Read the GenoPept research use only policy before ordering.