ACTH (1-39)

• Research applications include HPA-axis biology, MC2R pharmacology, adrenal steroidogenesis, receptor structure-activity studies and comparison of full-length ACTH with defined fragments or formulation-specific corticotropin products
• Published cell assays report high-potency MC2R agonism in appropriate MRAP-expressing systems, but assay-specific potency values are not a release claim and do not establish the activity of an untested lot.

CAS

12279-41-3

Formula

C₂₀₇H₃₀₈N₅₆O₅₈S for the stated human sequence

Molecular weight

approximately 4541 Da

Appearance

Lot-specific lyophilized solid; confirm colour, cake condition and physical form on the released-batch COA

Purity

Lot-specific released result; request peptide mapping, intact mass, stability-indicating purity and quantitative content · target, verify batch COA

Storage

Use the released lot COA, SDS and formulation-specific stability statement. Required temperature, light protection, shipping range and any post-reconstitution hold time depend on species sequence, salt or counterion, buffer, excipients, container and concentration. Do not transfer storage instructions from Acthar Gel, tetracosactide or another supplier. Because oxidation, deamidation, truncation and aggregation are relevant risks, any assigned shelf life or in-use period should be supported by stability-indicating data for the supplied form.

MOQ

On request

Lead time

Confirmed with quote

ACTH(1-39), also known as corticotropin, is the full-length 39-amino-acid endogenous peptide hormone produced by cleavage of proopiomelanocortin (POMC) in the anterior pituitary. It is the central effector of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, binding melanocortin receptor 2 (MC2-R) to stimulate adrenal cortical synthesis and secretion of glucocorticoids such as cortisol. Commercial products come in human, porcine, and rat/mouse species-variant sequences, which differ mainly in the C-terminal region (around residues 26 and 31-33) and a few residues near the N-terminus; buyers should rely on the supplier's specific CAS number and sequence rather than the generic "ACTH(1-39)/Corticotropin" name to determine species origin. This product is a research-grade (RUO) reference peptide used to study HPA axis function, stress physiology, melanocortin receptor pharmacology, and adrenal cortex biology.

• Laboratory research topics include HPA-axis physiology and stress signalling, MC2R/MRAP pharmacology, adrenal steroidogenesis, peptide degradation and sequence-variant comparisons
• Human diagnostic testing and prescription uses of cosyntropin or repository corticotropin are outside the intended purpose of this RUO material and cannot be used as product claims.

ACTH(1-39) binds melanocortin receptor type 2 (MC2-R) on the surface of adrenal cortical cells. MC2-R is a Gs-coupled receptor that requires co-expression of the accessory protein MRAP for correct trafficking to the cell membrane. Receptor activation triggers the adenylate cyclase (AC)-cAMP-PKA signaling pathway, which phosphorylates and activates hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL) and steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR), promoting cholesterol release from lipid droplets and its transport to the inner mitochondrial membrane. There, CYP11A1 (cholesterol side-chain cleavage enzyme, the rate-limiting step of steroidogenesis) converts cholesterol to pregnenolone, which is further processed into cortisol/corticosterone and other glucocorticoids (along with some mineralocorticoids and androgen precursors). PKA also phosphorylates downstream nuclear transcription factors that regulate transcription of steroidogenesis-related genes. Physiologically, ACTH secretion is driven by hypothalamic CRH and suppressed by cortisol negative feedback, producing a circadian secretion pattern.

• For laboratory research only (RUO); not for human administration, diagnosis or treatment
• It is not equivalent to a licensed corticotropin or tetracosactide medicine
• Handle the lyophilized material under an institution-approved chemical and biological risk assessment, using the lot SDS and suitable controls for dust and accidental contact
• Animal work requires protocol-specific ethics approval and veterinary oversight; this catalogue does not provide an administration protocol.

Interactions reported in the literature

• Experimental designs may compare ACTH(1-39) with CRH, glucocorticoid-feedback conditions, receptor antagonists or defined ACTH fragments
• These are literature examples for assay design, not human drug-interaction information or combination recommendations
• Compatibility must be demonstrated in the actual buffer, concentration, container and analytical method.

ACTH (1-39)5 mg · WHJLP-ACTH5-260612-B

Representative records, refreshed periodically

Published COAs show representative factory batches and may not be the latest available. For a current quote or shipment, our sales team can confirm the applicable lot and provide its COA.

Independent testing, arranged on request

Third-party reports are not routinely published. If independent verification is required, we can agree the laboratory, method, acceptance criteria and remedy before testing. If the agreed specification is not met, an appropriate resolution—including a refund where applicable—can be discussed under the agreed terms. Unless otherwise agreed in writing, the buyer pays the cost of this optional testing.

Help reviewing your COA

Need help reading a factory COA or third-party report? Our sales team can clarify test items, specifications and how the results relate to the lot under discussion.

Ask for the current packet, not a generic certificate

• Qualify the exact species and 39-residue sequence, terminal state, salt or counterion and formulation
• The batch package should include traceable lot identity, theoretical and measured intact mass, peptide mapping or other sequence-confirming evidence, a stability-indicating chromatographic purity and impurity profile, quantitative peptide content or assay, water and counterion data, and relevant residuals
• Where function matters, agree a qualified MC2R/MRAP activity assay and acceptance criterion
• Appearance or HPLC area percentage alone cannot establish sequence identity, peptide content, potency or stability.

Use the released lot COA, SDS and formulation-specific stability statement. Required temperature, light protection, shipping range and any post-reconstitution hold time depend on species sequence, salt or counterion, buffer, excipients, container and concentration. Do not transfer storage instructions from Acthar Gel, tetracosactide or another supplier. Because oxidation, deamidation, truncation and aggregation are relevant risks, any assigned shelf life or in-use period should be supported by stability-indicating data for the supplied form.

State destination, season, acceptable transit exposure and whether your protocol requires insulated or cold-chain service. Additional temperature-control cost is quoted explicitly.

• 1) NIH PubChem CID 90488848 reports the human ACTH(1-39) record, formula C₂₀₇H₃₀₈N₅₆O₅₈S, molecular weight approximately 4541 Da and deposited CAS 12279-41-3. The generic Corticotropin CID 16132265 is a merged record with several CAS numbers and cross-species synonyms, so it is not sufficient for ordering. 2) UniProt P01189, P01192, P01193 and P01194 provide the primary human, porcine, mouse and rat POMC sequences from which the distinct 39-residue ACTH segments are defined. 3) FDA's 2017 Federal Register determination for ACTHAR GEL SYNTHETIC states that historical seractide acetate is not sequence-identical to human corticotropin and differs at four positions. This conflicts with the deposited PubChem use of 'Seractide' under CID 90488848, so the name is treated as ambiguous. 4) PMC9290342 reports formulation-specific terminal half-lives for repository corticotropin injection and an ACTH(1-24) depot; these are not free human ACTH(1-39) values. 5) PMID 11701735 reports a median endogenous ACTH plasma half-life of 22 minutes. 6) The current DailyMed Acthar Gel label, set ID 7b48ddec-e815-45f4-9ca0-5c0daaf56f30, states an approximately 15-minute plasma half-life for intravenously administered ACTH and notes that Acthar Gel pharmacokinetics have not been adequately characterized. 7) MC2R functional-assay literature provides assay-specific potency context, not a release result for this lot. 8) Supplier technical records were used only as secondary catalogue cross-checks; consumer peptide guides were excluded.

1. 01

   From Bioinactive ACTH to ACTH Antagonist: The Clinical Perspective

   Frontiers in Endocrinology · 2017 · peer-reviewed review

   Open source
2. 02

   Molecular identification of melanocortin-2 receptor responsible for ligand binding and signaling

   Biochemistry · 2007 · peer-reviewed original research

   Open source
3. 03

   ACTH Treatment for Management of Nephrotic Syndrome: A Systematic Review and Reappraisal

   International Journal of Nephrology · 2020 · systematic review

   Open source
4. 04

   A pilot study to determine the dose and effectiveness of adrenocorticotrophic hormone (H.P. Acthar Gel) in nephrotic syndrome due to idiopathic membranous nephropathy

   Nephrology Dialysis Transplantation · 2014 · phase Ib/II clinical trial

   Open source
5. 05

   A Systematic Literature Review and Indirect Treatment Comparison of Efficacy of Repository Corticotropin Injection versus Synthetic Adrenocorticotropic Hormone for Infantile Spasms

   Journal of Health Economics and Outcomes Research · 2021 · systematic literature review and indirect treatment comparison

   Open source
6. 06

   A prospective observational registry of repository corticotropin injection (Acthar Gel) for the treatment of multiple sclerosis relapse

   Frontiers in Neurology · 2020 · multicenter prospective observational registry

   Open source
7. 07

   Acthar Gel Treatment for Patients with Autoimmune and Inflammatory Diseases: An Historical Perspective and Characterization of Clinical Evidence

   Clinical Drug Investigation · 2023 · narrative review

   Open source
8. 08

   A Narrative Review of the Immunomodulatory Effects of Acthar Gel Beyond Its Steroidogenic Properties

   Advances in Therapy · 2025 · narrative review

   Open source