Humanin
Also known as HN, MT-RNR2-encoded peptide
Humanin is a short peptide encoded within the mitochondrial 16S rRNA gene. It is studied for anti-apoptotic, neuroprotective, and metabolic effects, particularly in cell and rodent models of Alzheimer's disease and aging.
Preclinical research
Size
1 option- Catalog no.
- HM10
- Specification
- 10mg*10vials
- Per kit
- 10 vials
For laboratory research use only. Not for human or animal consumption. Buyers must be 21 or older.
Overview
Humanin was identified in 2001 by Ikuo Nishimoto's group in Japan, through a screen for genes that protect neurons from insults linked to Alzheimer's disease. It is encoded by a short open reading frame in the mitochondrial 16S rRNA gene (MT-RNR2), and related sequences exist in the nuclear genome. The peptide is 21 or 24 amino acids long, depending on whether it is translated in mitochondria or the cytosol. Circulating levels have been reported to decline with age. Many experiments use a more potent analog, HNG (S14G-humanin). Evidence comes mainly from cell and rodent models, along with human genetic and association studies.
Class: Mitochondrial-derived peptide
Mechanism of action
How the compound acts, as described in the literature.
Binds the pro-apoptotic protein Bax and prevents its move from the cytosol to mitochondria, which reduces cytochrome c release.
Outside the cell, signals through a receptor complex of CNTFR, WSX-1, and gp130 that activates STAT3, and through the formyl peptide receptor FPRL1.
Also reported to bind IGFBP-3 and other Bcl-2 family proteins, including tBid and BimEL, which further limits apoptotic signaling.
In rodent studies, humanin and its analogs have been reported to improve insulin sensitivity and to protect neurons and heart tissue from stress-induced injury.
Published research
Selected studies, each linked to its PubMed record. Summaries describe what the studies reported.
2001
In vitro
PMID 11371646A rescue factor abolishing neuronal cell death by a wide spectrum of familial Alzheimer's disease genes and Abeta.
Hashimoto Y, et al. · Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A
Identified humanin cDNA in a functional screen. The secreted polypeptide prevented neuronal cell death caused by several familial Alzheimer's disease genes and by amyloid-beta, but not death caused by Q79 or mutant SOD1.
2003
In vitro
PMID 12732850Humanin peptide suppresses apoptosis by interfering with Bax activation.
Guo B, et al. · Nature
Humanin bound Bax, blocked its translocation from cytosol to mitochondria, and suppressed cytochrome c release. Lowering humanin expression sensitized cells to Bax. The mitochondrial-encoded form also bound and suppressed Bax.
2018
Rodent and human cohort study
PMID 30242290Humanin Prevents Age-Related Cognitive Decline in Mice and is Associated with Improved Cognitive Age in Humans.
Yen K, et al. · Sci Rep
Humanin was neuroprotective in human cell models and improved cognition in aged mice. In human cohorts, a mitochondrial SNP linked to lower circulating humanin was associated with accelerated cognitive aging.
Evidence & safety
What the research does not show, and the adverse events and regulatory status it reports.
Evidence is preclinical, from cell and rodent studies, with human data limited to genetic and association analyses; no clinical trials of humanin are indexed, and it is not approved. Its anti-apoptotic activity also protects cancer cells: in mice with experimental triple-negative breast cancer, humanin accelerated tumor growth and lung metastasis and blunted the effect of chemotherapy, and a humanin analog increased chemoresistance in glioblastoma cells.
Specifications
All sizes, exactly as catalogued.
| Catalog no. | Product | Specification | Vials per kit |
|---|---|---|---|
| HM10 | Humanin | 10mg*10vials | 10 |
For laboratory research use only. Not for human or animal consumption. Not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Research summaries are provided for educational purposes and do not describe this product’s use.