# MGF (Mechano Growth Factor)

> A splice variant of IGF-1 expressed after muscle damage; studied for satellite-cell activation.

- Also known as: Mechano Growth Factor, IGF-1Ec, IGF-1 Ec
- Class: Growth Hormone
- FDA approved: No
- Canonical page: https://www.americanpeptide.com/catalog/mgf

## Overview

MGF is the IGF-1Ec splice variant — produced locally in muscle after mechanical overload or injury. Its distinct C-terminal E-peptide is studied for activating satellite cells, upstream of IGF-1’s hypertrophic role.

Mechano growth factor (MGF) is a splice variant of IGF-1, also called IGF-1Ec. A 49-base-pair insert in exon 5 introduces a reading-frame shift, producing a distinct C-terminal peptide (the "E-domain") not found in the main circulating IGF-1 isoform.

MGF is expressed rapidly and locally in muscle after mechanical overload or damage — the experimental basis was established by Geoffrey Goldspink and colleagues (UCL) beginning in the late 1990s. Its proposed role is to begin repair by activating satellite cells before differentiation, complementing the longer-acting hypertrophic signal of IGF-1 itself. It is a research compound, not FDA-approved.

## Mechanism

Local IGF-1 splice variant; the E-peptide activates muscle satellite (stem) cells, complementing IGF-1-receptor signaling.

## Research areas

Studied in: Muscle repair, Satellite-cell activation.

## Key research

- Satellite-cell activation — the E-peptide is proposed to act upstream, promoting satellite-cell proliferation before differentiation.
- Damage-induced expression — produced locally and rapidly after mechanical overload or muscle injury (McKoy, Ashley, Yang et al., 1999).
- Splice-variant origin — an exon-5 insert gives IGF-1Ec a distinct C-terminal peptide versus the main IGF-1 isoform.
- Compared to IGF-1 LR3 — MGF is local and transient, driving satellite-cell activation; IGF-1 LR3 is systemic and long-acting, driving hypertrophy. The two are sequenced rather than combined.
- Preclinical / prohibited in sport — not FDA-approved; WADA-banned.

## Storage, handling & synthesis

**Storage.** Lyophilized: store frozen and protected from light. Reconstituted: refrigerate at 2–8 °C and use within weeks; minimize freeze–thaw.

**Handling.** Reconstitute gently and avoid shaking; protect from heat and light. PEGylated forms (PEG-MGF) are handled similarly but differ in half-life.

## FAQs

### What is MGF?

MGF (mechano growth factor) is a splice variant of IGF-1 (IGF-1Ec) produced locally in muscle after damage. Its distinct E-peptide is studied for activating satellite cells.

### How is MGF different from IGF-1?

MGF is a splice variant with a unique C-terminal peptide, expressed locally after mechanical stress. Where standard IGF-1 sustains hypertrophy systemically, MGF is studied for initiating repair by activating satellite cells.

### How does MGF compare to IGF-1 LR3?

MGF is local and transient (satellite-cell activation); IGF-1 LR3 is systemic and long-acting (hypertrophy). They are generally studied in sequence rather than together.

### Is MGF approved?

No. It is a research compound, not FDA-approved, and is prohibited in sport. This page is a research and educational reference.

## Latest research

Recent trials and publications mentioning Mechano Growth Factor, pulled automatically from ClinicalTrials.gov and PubMed (unfiltered search results, refreshed daily).

### Recent trials

- [A Research Study to Compare Somapacitan Once a Week With Norditropin® Once a Day in Children Who Need Help to Grow](https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05330325) — ACTIVE_NOT_RECRUITING · PHASE3 · NCT05330325
- [A Study to Evaluate MAR002 for Acromegaly](https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT07641179) — NOT_YET_RECRUITING · PHASE2 · NCT07641179
- [A Study to Follow Patients With Adult Growth Hormone Deficiency (AGHD) Treated With Sogroya® for Long Term Safety Information](https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05718570) — ENROLLING_BY_INVITATION · NCT05718570
- [Effect of FMD on Colorectal Cancer Patients](https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05384444) — ACTIVE_NOT_RECRUITING · NA · NCT05384444
- [ACRODAT Prospective Evaluation Study](https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT04349839) — COMPLETED · NCT04349839
- [A Clinical Efficacy and Safety Study of OHB-607 in Preventing Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia in Extremely Premature Infants](https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT03253263) — RECRUITING · PHASE2 · NCT03253263

---

Source: AmericanPeptide.com — https://www.americanpeptide.com/catalog/mgf
Data license: CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Attribution: AmericanPeptide.com.
Research reference only — computational and educational content, not medical advice.