What is TESAMORELIN?
Tesamorelin (CAS 218949-48-5) is a synthetic peptide belonging to the growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) analog class. It is a 44-residue linear polypeptide corresponding to the sequence of human GHRH(1-44), structurally modified at the N-terminus by a trans-3-hexenoyl group and terminating in a C-terminal amide (-NH2). Its molecular formula is C221H366N72O67S with a molecular weight of 5135.86 g/mol.
The full primary sequence is trans-3-hexenoyl-Tyr-Ala-Asp-Ala-Ile-Phe-Thr-Asn-Ser-Tyr-Arg-Lys-Val-Leu-Gly-Gln-Leu-Ser-Ala-Arg-Lys-Leu-Leu-Gln-Asp-Ile-Met-Ser-Arg-Gln-Gln-Gly-Glu-Ser-Asn-Gln-Glu-Arg-Gly-Ala-Arg-Ala-Arg-Leu-NH2. The N-terminal hexenoyl acylation is a defining structural feature that distinguishes tesamorelin from the native GHRH peptide backbone and is frequently referenced in analytical characterization of the molecule. The single sulfur atom in the formula derives from the internal methionine residue.
As a stabilized GHRH analog, tesamorelin is studied in in-vitro and preclinical research contexts concerned with the growth hormone-releasing hormone signaling axis and neuroendocrine peptide biochemistry. This material is offered strictly as a reference chemical for laboratory research use only. It is not a drug, supplement, or article intended for human or veterinary use, and no physiological or clinical outcomes are represented.
Reconstitution & handling
Tesamorelin is supplied as a lyophilized powder and is typically reconstituted in the laboratory using bacteriostatic or sterile water to prepare a stock solution for research handling. As a large 44-residue peptide bearing multiple polar and charged residues (arginine, lysine, aspartate, glutamate), it is generally water-soluble; the solvent is usually introduced slowly along the vessel wall and allowed to dissolve by gentle swirling rather than vortexing or agitation, which can promote mechanical shear and aggregation of the peptide chain. Brief resting at controlled temperature until the solution clears is preferred over vigorous mixing.
If solubility is incomplete, minimal volumes of a mild aqueous buffer at slightly acidic to neutral pH are commonly employed as an initial dissolution medium before dilution into the working buffer, since acylated GHRH-class peptides can be sensitive to strongly alkaline conditions. Reconstituted material should be handled under aseptic technique, kept cold during preparation, and aliquoted to limit repeated freeze-thaw cycles. All handling parameters are determined by the individual research protocol; no administration or dosing guidance is implied.
Storage & stability
In lyophilized form, tesamorelin is best stored desiccated and protected from light, typically at -20 C or colder for long-term stability, where the dry peptide remains stable for extended periods. Once reconstituted, the peptide is markedly less stable and is generally maintained refrigerated at 2-8 C for short-term use or frozen in single-use aliquots for longer storage to minimize hydrolysis, oxidation of the methionine residue, and aggregation. Repeated freeze-thaw cycling should be avoided, and solutions should be inspected for clarity before use.
How it's tested
Identity and purity of tesamorelin are confirmed by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC), which resolves the target peptide from sequence-related and process impurities and supports the stated purity of ≥99%. Molecular identity is corroborated by mass spectrometry (typically ESI-MS or MALDI-TOF), with the observed mass compared against the theoretical average mass of 5135.86 g/mol derived from the molecular formula C221H366N72O67S. Each lot is accompanied by a Certificate of Analysis (COA) documenting the chromatographic purity, mass confirmation, and appearance for the specific batch supplied.