Humanin

Category: peptide

Aliases: HN

Pharmacological Mechanism

First characterised mitochondrial-derived peptide (Hashimoto 2001). Encoded within the 16S rRNA region of mtDNA. Binds BAX → prevents apoptosis. Also activates a trimeric receptor (CNTFR-α/WSX-1/gp130) → STAT3 signalling. Protects against Aβ-induced neuronal death. Levels decline with age; offspring of centenarians have higher plasma humanin.

Dosing Guidelines

• SC: Typical 13.3 mcg (Range: 10–20 mcg)

Target Organ Systems

• nervous
• endocrine

Interactions

• MOTS-c (synergistic): Fellow mitochondrial-derived peptide (MDP). Different receptor targets (TRKA+B for humanin, AMPK axis for MOTS-c); potentially complementary.

Pathways It Modulates

• Mitochondrial-encoded peptide signaling (inhibitor) — apoptosis (FPRL1/STAT3-mediated)

Chemical Identifiers

• PubChem CID: 16131438
• Formula: C119H204N34O32S2
• Molecular weight: 2687.2 g/mol
• InChIKey: DPEUWKZJZIPZKE-OFANTOPUSA-N
• SMILES: CC[C@H](C)[C@@H](C(=O)N[C@@H](CC(=O)O)C(=O)N[C@@H](CC(C)C)C(=O)N1CCC[C@H]1C(=O)N[C@@H](C(C)C)C(=O)N[C@@H](CCCCN)C(=O)N[C@@H](CCCNC(=N)N)C(=O)N[C@@H](CCCNC(=N)N)C(=O)N[C@@H](C)C(=O)O)NC(=O)[C@H](CCC(=O)O)NC(=O)[C@H](CO)NC(=O)[C@H]([C@@H](C)O)NC(=O)[C@H](CC(C)C)NC(=O)[C@H](CC(C)C)NC(=O)[C@H](CC(C)C)NC(=O)[C@H](CC(C)C)NC(=O)[C@H](CS)NC(=O)[C@H](CO)NC(=O)[C@H](CC2=CC=CC=C2)NC(=O)CNC(=O)[C@H](CCCNC(=N)N)NC(=O)[C@@H]3CCCN3C(=O)[C@H](C)NC(=O)[C@H](CCSC)N