Peptides
MGF
2mg
24-residue IGF-1Ec splice-variant peptide. Muscle research.
99.36% purity · Supplier-reported analysis · Batch UKPL-9507 · View certificate
- Same-day dispatch before 3pm, Mon to Fri
- Add £55.05 more for free UK delivery
- Cold-chain shipping. Always. Dry-cold pack, Royal Mail Tracked 24
- Lost, damaged or wrong? Replaced free if you tell us within 48 hours.
- Research use only. For in-vitro laboratory research. Not for use in humans or animals, or in food, drugs or diagnostics. Not evaluated by the MHRA or FDA. The buyer is responsible for handling and regulatory compliance.
Bulk Pricing
Counted across your basket, any mix of products.
| Vials in basket | Discount | Per vial |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | None | £13.95 |
| 3-4 | 5% | £13.25save £0.70 |
| 5-9 | 8% | £12.83save £1.12 |
| 10-50 | 12% | £12.28save £1.67 |
Bacteriostatic Water 10ml
Required to reconstitute lyophilised peptides.
What is MGF?
Mechano growth factor (MGF) is the 24-residue E-domain peptide released from IGF-1Ec after exercise-induced splicing in muscle tissue (Tyr-Gln-Pro-Pro-Ser-Thr-Asn-Lys-Asn-Thr-Lys-Ser-Gln-Arg-Arg-Lys-Gly-Ser-Thr-Phe-Glu-Glu-His-Lys). Research has examined its role in satellite cell activation and muscle cell proliferation following mechanical load.
Full description
MGF, short for mechano growth factor, is the 24-residue C-terminal E-domain peptide of the IGF-1Ec splice variant of insulin-like growth factor 1. It is proposed to be cut from the IGF-1 precursor when the mature 70-residue hormone is processed. No natural MGF peptide has yet been isolated from cells, tissues or body fluids (Matheny, Nindl and Adamo, Endocrinology, 2010). Yang and colleagues (J Muscle Res Cell Motil, 1996) cloned the splice variant from stretched rabbit muscle. The MGF name was given first to that mRNA and later to the synthetic peptide.
The peptide is strongly basic, with four lysines and two arginines. It has no methionine, cysteine or tryptophan, so it carries none of the oxidation-prone residues found in many research peptides. Each MGF 2mg vial holds white lyophilised powder.
MGF Research Applications
- Myoblasts: Yang and Goldspink (FEBS Lett, 2002) reported that the E domain increased myoblast proliferation and inhibited terminal differentiation, unlike mature IGF-1.
- Receptor: in the same study an IGF-1 receptor antibody did not block the effect, which points to a different receptor.
- Muscle damage: in damaged rat muscle, MGF mRNA rose quickly and fell within days, alongside satellite cell activation markers. Splicing then moved towards IGF-1Ea (Hill and Goldspink, J Physiol, 2003).
- Mechanical load: Yang and colleagues (1996) detected the splice variant within 2 hours to 6 days of altered activity, with very little in control muscle.
- Ageing: under mechanical overload, aged rat muscle expressed much less MGF than young muscle (Owino, Yang and Goldspink, FEBS Lett, 2001).
Study details
Typical in-vitro endpoints are proliferation and activation assays in myogenic cell lines and primary muscle stem cells. The evidence has limits. The positive data come mostly from one group. Fornaro and colleagues (Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab, 2014) found that MGF at up to 500 ng/ml did not increase proliferation of C2C12 cells or primary human myoblasts. Every cell type in that study responded to mature IGF-1. No dedicated receptor has been identified, and there are no clinical data.
MGF vs PEG-MGF
Both products contain the same 24-residue E-domain sequence. MGF is the unmodified peptide, the form used by Yang and Goldspink (FEBS Lett, 2002). PEG-MGF carries a polyethylene glycol chain, a modification designed to slow clearance and protease breakdown. That adds a pharmacokinetic variable on top of biology that is already contested (Matheny, Nindl and Adamo, Endocrinology, 2010). MGF is the right choice for replication work, because it matches the published molecule.
Research Overview
MGF, short for mechano growth factor, is the 24-residue C-terminal E-domain peptide of the IGF-1Ec splice variant of insulin-like growth factor 1, sequence Tyr-Gln-Pro-Pro-Ser-Thr-Asn-Lys-Asn-Thr-Lys-Ser-Gln-Arg-Arg-Lys-Gly-Ser-Thr-Phe-Glu-Glu-His-Lys, written YQPPSTNKNTKSQRRKGSTFEEHK, molecular weight 2866.4 g/mol. It is the peptide cleaved from the IGF-1 precursor during processing of the mature 70-residue hormone, and it is expressed from an exercise-sensitive splice form of the IGF-1 gene that appears in muscle tissue after mechanical load. Research has examined its role in satellite cell activation and muscle cell proliferation following mechanical load.
The peptide was cloned and characterised in stretched skeletal muscle by Yang and colleagues, who reported the IGF-1 isoform and named the splice variant mechano growth factor (J Muscle Res Cell Motil, 1996). In the founding functional study, Yang and Goldspink (FEBS Lett, 2002) reported that the synthetic E-peptide increased myoblast proliferation while mature IGF-1 promoted differentiation, and Hill and Goldspink (J Physiol, 2003) reported that MGF expression in rodent muscle coincided with markers of muscle satellite (stem) cell activation after local tissue damage. Owino, Yang and Goldspink (FEBS Lett, 2001) reported that aged rat muscle expressed markedly less MGF in response to mechanical overload than young muscle.
It is worth being direct about the state of the evidence, because MGF is a peptide whose early findings have not been reproduced consistently. The primary positive data originate mostly from one research group, in rodent models and cell culture, and no human data exist for the peptide. Fornaro and colleagues (Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab, 2014) tested native and stabilised MGF peptides on myoblasts and primary muscle stem cells and reported no effect on proliferation or activation in systems where mature IGF-1 produced a robust response, and the balanced review by Matheny, Nindl and Adamo (Endocrinology, 2010) concluded that the evidence for MGF as an in-vivo product of IGF-1 gene expression with a repair role is inadequate. No dedicated receptor for the peptide has been identified.
That contested status is precisely why it remains an interesting research tool rather than a settled one, and it is stated plainly here rather than papered over with confident mechanism claims. MGF is not an approved medicine in any jurisdiction and is supplied as lyophilised powder for in-vitro laboratory research only.
Product Specifications
- Molecular Weight
- 2866.4 g/mol
- Sequence
- YQPPSTNKNTKSQRRKGSTFEEHK
- Residues
- 24
- Purity
- 99.36%
- Batch
- UKPL-9507
- Storage
- -20°C lyophilised, 2-8°C reconstituted
- Appearance
- White lyophilised powder
- Form
- Lyophilised powder
Certificate of Analysis
Supplier-reported analysis. Independent third-party verification pending.
- Batch
- UKPL-9507
- Purity
- 99.36%
- Specification
- ≥98.0%
- Method
- RP-HPLC
- Tested
- Sep 2026
Need the certificate for an earlier batch? Request an older CoA
Storage and Reconstitution
Move vials to the freezer on arrival and keep them dark and dry. With no labile residues in the sequence, sterility sets the in-use limit more than chemistry. Split reconstituted stock into single-use aliquots instead of puncturing one vial again and again.
Vials are sold on their own, without bacteriostatic water for mixing or other supplies.
How to reconstitute and handle
Let the vial reach room temperature. Wipe the stoppers of the peptide vial and the bacteriostatic water vial with an alcohol swab. Add the water slowly down the inside wall of the vial, not onto the powder. Swirl gently until it dissolves, and do not shake or vortex. MGF dissolves readily to a clear, colourless solution. Label the vial with the date.
- Handle under aseptic laboratory conditions using sterile equipment throughout reconstitution and aliquoting, and minimise stopper-open time.
- Avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles. Prepare measured single-use aliquots from reconstituted stock for consistent experimental use.
For the full method, see the peptide reconstitution guide and the reconstitution calculator.
Research References
- Different roles of the IGF-I Ec peptide (MGF) and mature IGF-I in myoblast proliferation and differentiation (Yang and Goldspink, FEBS Lett, 2002)
- Expression and splicing of the insulin-like growth factor gene in rodent muscle is associated with muscle satellite (stem) cell activation following local tissue damage (Hill and Goldspink, J Physiol, 2003)
- Minireview: Mechano-growth factor: a putative product of IGF-I gene expression involved in tissue repair and regeneration (Matheny et al., Endocrinology, 2010)
Published research on MGF is indexed on PubMed. See our full UK buyer's guide for MGF.
MGF Price (UK)
MGF 2mg is for sale at £13.95 per vial, supplied from stock in the UK with a published supplier batch certificate. UK delivery is £4.50 by Royal Mail Tracked 24, free over £69.
| Vial | Price | Cost per mg | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|
| MGF 2mgThis page | £13.95 | £6.97 | In stock |
Prices are in GBP per vial and match the basket. See the FAQ for delivery and payment options, and quality & testing for how each batch is checked.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is MGF (mechano growth factor)?
MGF is the 24-residue C-terminal E-domain peptide of the IGF-1Ec splice variant of insulin-like growth factor 1, with the sequence YQPPSTNKNTKSQRRKGSTFEEHK and a molecular weight of 2866.4 g/mol. It is the peptide cleaved from the IGF-1 precursor during processing of the mature 70-residue hormone, and it was cloned from stretched skeletal muscle and named mechano growth factor by the Goldspink group (Yang et al., J Muscle Res Cell Motil, 1996). It is supplied as lyophilised powder for in-vitro laboratory research only.
How is MGF produced from the IGF-1 gene?
The IGF-1 gene is transcribed as a precursor that is spliced into several isoforms. After mechanical load on muscle tissue, an exercise-sensitive splice form, IGF-1Ec in humans, is expressed, and the distinguishing product is the E-domain peptide. Mechanical signals are proposed to shift IGF-1 splicing towards this form, with the E-peptide acting locally in the loaded muscle while the mature hormone acts systemically (Goldspink, Physiology, 2005).
What has MGF research examined in muscle tissue?
Research has examined MGF in satellite cell activation and muscle cell proliferation following mechanical load. Yang and Goldspink (FEBS Lett, 2002) reported that the synthetic E-peptide increased myoblast proliferation while mature IGF-1 promoted differentiation, Hill and Goldspink (J Physiol, 2003) reported that MGF expression coincided with satellite cell activation markers after muscle damage, and Owino and colleagues (FEBS Lett, 2001) reported a reduced MGF response to overload in aged muscle. A later replication found no effect on myoblasts or primary muscle stem cells (Fornaro et al., Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab, 2014), so the findings remain contested.
What is the sequence and molecular weight of MGF?
MGF is the 24-residue peptide YQPPSTNKNTKSQRRKGSTFEEHK, corresponding to the C-terminal E-domain of the human IGF-1Ec isoform, with a molecular weight of 2866.4 g/mol. The sequence is strongly basic, carrying four lysine and two arginine residues, and contains no methionine, cysteine or tryptophan. This compound is supplied for research use only.
Where can I buy MGF in the UK?
UK Peptide Lab sells MGF 2mg vials from UK stock. Orders placed before 3pm on a working day are dispatched the same day by Royal Mail Tracked, and UK delivery is free over £69. It is sold for in-vitro research only, to buyers aged 18 or over.
Is your MGF supplier-tested, with independent verification in progress?
Yes. The supplier's analysis of batch UKPL-9507 reports 99.36% purity by RP-HPLC and 2.32mg measured content against the 2mg label. Independent third-party testing is pending. The certificate is published with this listing, and its batch number matches the one printed on the vial.
What is MGF used for in research?
Muscle biology. Published models look at satellite cell activation and myoblast proliferation after mechanical load (Yang and Goldspink, 2002; Hill and Goldspink, 2003). Others study exercise-induced IGF-1 splicing and the weaker MGF response of aged muscle to overload (Owino et al., FEBS Lett, 2001).
Related Products
