Family · gh
MGF
Mechano Growth Factor; IGF-1Ec; IGF-1 E-domain (Ec) peptide
MGF is a splice variant of the insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) gene, formally IGF-1Ec in humans. When skeletal muscle is exposed to mechanical loading or damage, alternative splicing that retains part of exon 5 introduces a reading-frame shift, producing a distinct C-terminal 'E-domain' peptide (the Ec E-peptide, 24 amino acids in humans). The synthetic 'MGF' sold for research corresponds to this E-domain fragment rather than to full mature IGF-1. In preclinical models the E-peptide is reported to activate quiescent muscle satellite (stem) cells, increasing their proliferation while delaying terminal differentiation, and evidence from myoblast studies suggests it acts through a pathway distinct from the classical IGF-1 receptor. The native peptide is highly labile, with a circulating half-life on the order of minutes.
Evidence for MGF is preclinical and mechanistic. Yang and Goldspink (FEBS Lett, 2002) showed the IGF-1Ec E-domain peptide increases myoblast proliferation and inhibits differentiation via a receptor distinct from mature IGF-I. Later work extended MGF signalling to other tissues — Tang et al. (Mol Brain, 2017) reported that MGF promotes neurogenesis in the aging mouse brain. Importantly, the picture is not uniform: Schlegel et al. (PLoS One, 2013) found that exogenously added MGF had no effect on the proliferation of growth-plate chondrocytes, and independent groups have failed to reproduce anabolic effects of the synthetic peptide on muscle stem cells. There are essentially no controlled human clinical trials of injected MGF, and it is not an approved drug for any indication.
- Research into muscle satellite (stem) cell activation, proliferation and repair signalling
- Study of IGF-1 alternative splicing and E-domain biology as distinct from mature IGF-1
- Preclinical models of cardiac and neural tissue repair
- Mechanistic work on exercise- and load-induced local growth-factor responses
Educational overview only — no dosing instructions in the public hub.
Human safety has not been established in controlled trials. Because MGF is an IGF-1-family growth-factor peptide, theoretical concerns include unregulated effects on cell proliferation and potential promotion of pre-existing tumours, though these have not been characterised for the injected peptide in humans. The native peptide degrades within minutes, so much gray-market 'MGF' may be mislabelled, underdosed, or a different sequence entirely, making sourcing and purity the dominant practical risk. As an IGF-1/growth-factor agent, MGF is prohibited in sport at all times.
No pharmaceutical-grade injectable MGF exists. Any research material should carry a recent third-party Certificate of Analysis covering identity, purity (HPLC), quantification, and mass spectrometry, because the short E-domain sequence is easy to substitute or degrade and hard for an end user to verify. Content here describes the peptide as studied in preclinical literature, not gray-market material of unverified composition.
Research-use-only; not approved by the FDA, EMA, or other major regulators for human use. Marketing or supplying it for human consumption is unlawful in most jurisdictions. As a growth factor it falls under WADA class S2 and is prohibited in sport at all times, in and out of competition.
Frequently asked questions
- What is MGF used for?
- Research into muscle satellite (stem) cell activation, proliferation and repair signalling. Study of IGF-1 alternative splicing and E-domain biology as distinct from mature IGF-1. Preclinical models of cardiac and neural tissue repair. Mechanistic work on exercise- and load-induced local growth-factor responses. Evidence for MGF is preclinical and mechanistic. Yang and Goldspink (FEBS Lett, 2002) showed the IGF-1Ec E-domain peptide increases myoblast proliferation and inhibits differentiation via a receptor distinct from mature IGF-I. Later work extended MGF signalling to other tissues — Tang et al. (Mol Brain, 2017) reported that MGF promotes neurogenesis in the aging mouse brain. Importantly, the picture is not uniform: Schlegel et al. (PLoS One, 2013) found that exogenously added MGF had no effect on the proliferation of growth-plate chondrocytes, and independent groups have failed to reproduce anabolic effects of the synthetic peptide on muscle stem cells. There are essentially no controlled human clinical trials of injected MGF, and it is not an approved drug for any indication.
- Is MGF legal in Europe?
- Research-use-only; not approved by the FDA, EMA, or other major regulators for human use. Marketing or supplying it for human consumption is unlawful in most jurisdictions. As a growth factor it falls under WADA class S2 and is prohibited in sport at all times, in and out of competition.
- What are the risks and side effects of MGF?
- Human safety has not been established in controlled trials. Because MGF is an IGF-1-family growth-factor peptide, theoretical concerns include unregulated effects on cell proliferation and potential promotion of pre-existing tumours, though these have not been characterised for the injected peptide in humans. The native peptide degrades within minutes, so much gray-market 'MGF' may be mislabelled, underdosed, or a different sequence entirely, making sourcing and purity the dominant practical risk. As an IGF-1/growth-factor agent, MGF is prohibited in sport at all times.
- How is the quality of MGF assessed?
- No pharmaceutical-grade injectable MGF exists. Any research material should carry a recent third-party Certificate of Analysis covering identity, purity (HPLC), quantification, and mass spectrometry, because the short E-domain sequence is easy to substitute or degrade and hard for an end user to verify. Content here describes the peptide as studied in preclinical literature, not gray-market material of unverified composition.