AOD-9604 (CAS 221231-10-3) is a synthetic, modified analogue of the C-terminal fragment of human growth hormone (hGH 176-191). It was developed at Monash University in the 1990s as a research tool to investigate whether the lipolytic activity attributed to the C-terminus of hGH could be isolated from the somatogenic activity of the full molecule. Three decades later it remains a useful compound for adipocyte and lipid-metabolism research, with a regulatory posture distinct from the parent hGH.
Sequence and Structure
The AOD-9604 sequence is a 16-amino-acid segment derived from hGH residues 176-191, with a tyrosine appended at the N-terminus to enable receptor-binding studies. Sequence: Tyr-Leu-Arg-Ile-Val-Gln-Cys-Arg-Ser-Val-Glu-Gly-Ser-Cys-Gly-Phe. The internal disulfide bridge between the two cysteine residues is essential for activity, which makes synthesis QC and storage discipline more demanding than for linear peptides.
- CAS: 221231-10-3
- Molecular weight: 1815.1 Da
- Internal disulfide bridge between Cys7 and Cys14
- Half-life: estimated 30-60 minutes in plasma, longer in adipose tissue
Mechanism in Research Models
AOD-9604 is studied for two related effects observed in adipocyte models:
- Lipolytic activity: in rodent and porcine adipocyte preparations, AOD-9604 increases the rate of lipid breakdown, primarily through cAMP-mediated activation of hormone-sensitive lipase.
- Antilipogenic activity: in the same models, AOD-9604 reduces de novo lipogenesis, the synthesis of new lipid from glucose.
Critically, AOD-9604 does not exhibit the somatogenic activity (IGF-1 elevation, growth-promoting effects) of full-length hGH. This separation is the key research finding of the original Monash work, and the reason AOD-9604 occupies a different regulatory category than hGH itself.
Comparison to Adjacent Compounds
| Property | AOD-9604 | Full hGH |
|---|---|---|
| Size | 16 amino acids | 191 amino acids |
| IGF-1 elevation | None observed | Dose-dependent |
| Growth promotion | None observed | Primary effect |
| Lipolytic activity | Selective and direct | Present but linked to growth axis |
| Disulfide bridges | One (Cys7-Cys14) | Two |
| Regulatory category | Research compound | Prescription biologic |
Purity and COA Requirements
AOD-9604 should ship at ≥99% HPLC-MS purity with explicit verification of the internal disulfide bridge. Common impurities to watch for: free-cysteine (linearised) species where the bridge failed to form, and intermolecular disulfide-linked dimers. A real COA includes both the HPLC chromatogram and a mass-spec confirmation of the bridged structure (typically a [M+H]+ peak at 1815 Da with the appropriate isotope pattern).
Regulatory and Catalog Position
AOD-9604 is a research compound. It is not approved for human therapeutic use in any jurisdiction Peptiko ships to, including the EU and Moldova. Marketing it for obesity or weight-loss use is outside its approved scope, and Peptiko's catalog framing is explicitly limited to in vitro research applications: adipocyte studies, lipid metabolism research, cartilage repair models. Any communication that frames AOD-9604 in therapeutic terms is incompatible with our supply policy.
AOD-9604 in the Peptiko catalog ships with HPLC chromatogram + mass spec confirmation of the disulfide bridge in the COA. Storage and reconstitution should respect the bridge-integrity considerations covered in our peptide storage guide.
Summary
AOD-9604 is a 16-residue fragment of hGH with a defined research role: studying the lipolytic and antilipogenic activity attributed to the C-terminus of growth hormone, isolated from the somatogenic effects of the full molecule. It is a research compound, not a therapy, and laboratories using it should source vials with explicit disulfide-bridge verification in the COA.
AOD-9604 research vials
5 mg lyophilised · ≥99% HPLC-MS · Disulfide-verified COA · EU and CIS delivery
View AOD-9604 →