If you have been reading about nuclear receptor and want a single page that covers the useful parts, this is it: definitions, context, how it is studied, and the questions that come up repeatedly.
Updated 2026-07-20. Numbers and descriptions here follow the published literature rather than marketing material.
SR9009 is a synthetic small molecule that acts on the nuclear receptors REV-ERBα and REV-ERBβ. These receptors are part of the circadian clock machinery and normally repress transcription of certain target genes. In laboratory research, SR9009 is used as a chemical tool to study how REV-ERB activity influences metabolism, inflammation, and daily biological rhythms. The compound is not an approved medicine, and its effects in humans remain largely uncharacterized. It is often described as an investigational agent rather than a therapeutic product.
REV-ERB proteins typically suppress gene expression by recruiting corepressor complexes to DNA response elements. SR9009 binds these receptors and strengthens that repressive action in cell-based assays. Studies in rodents have reported changes in lipid handling, mitochondrial function, and exercise capacity after treatment. Such findings are often cited as evidence for metabolic effects, but species differences and limited pharmacokinetic data make direct translation to humans uncertain. Researchers continue to examine which effects are robust and which depend on specific experimental conditions.
Handling practices for SR9009 focus on minimizing degradation and contamination. The solid is generally stored desiccated at or below -20 °C, protected from light and moisture. Stock solutions are often prepared in dimethyl sulfoxide or ethanol, then aliquoted to avoid repeated freeze–thaw cycles. Aqueous solubility is low, so formulations for animal studies may require cosolvents or suspending agents. Personnel should follow institutional chemical safety procedures, because toxicological data for humans are incomplete.
Regulatory status varies by country and intended use. Major drug agencies have not granted marketing authorization for SR9009 as a medicine, and it is not listed as a controlled substance in many jurisdictions. It is often sold as a research chemical, a category that may fall outside pharmaceutical manufacturing rules. Buyers should verify local laws and supplier documentation, including certificates of analysis. The lack of standardized quality controls raises concerns about identity, purity, and actual content in products marketed online.
In laboratory settings, SR9009 is commonly identified by its molecular structure and its interaction with REV-ERB receptors. Vendors may list it under synonyms such as Stenabolic or REV-ERB agonist, but those names do not define purity or identity. Analytical confirmation typically uses high-performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet detection or liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry. A reference standard is needed to compare retention time and mass spectrum, because the compound can be confused with related research chemicals.
| Property | Value | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Common name | SR9009 | Also marketed informally as Stenabolic |
| Chemical class | Synthetic REV-ERB agonist | Binds REV-ERBα and REV-ERBβ |
| Molecular formula | C24H30ClN3O4S | Approximate molecular weight 492 g/mol |
| CAS Registry Number | 1379686-30-2 | Identifier for the parent compound |
| Regulatory status | Not approved for human use | Prohibited in sport by WADA |
SR9009 is a synthetic small molecule studied as a REV-ERB agonist. REV-ERBα and REV-ERBβ are nuclear receptors that help regulate circadian rhythms and metabolic gene expression. The compound was identified in academic screening efforts to find synthetic ligands for these receptors. In cell and animal studies, SR9009 alters transcription of genes involved in lipid and glucose metabolism, and it can shift circadian behavior. It is not an approved therapeutic agent.
Mechanistically, SR9009 binds the ligand-binding domain of REV-ERBα/β and enhances recruitment of corepressor complexes. This represses target genes rather than activating them. Because REV-ERB proteins normally compete with ROR proteins at shared response elements, the net effect depends on tissue and timing. Researchers use SR9009 to probe how nuclear receptor signaling links the clock to metabolism, inflammation, and muscle biology. Findings are largely preclinical, and the precise contribution of each receptor subtype remains under study.
SR9009 is frequently discussed in fitness and research-chemical contexts, yet it has no approved medical indication. Regulatory agencies have not authorized it for human use, and it is not a standard prescription drug. Some sports organizations list it as a prohibited substance because of its potential performance-enhancing properties. Published human data are sparse, so claims about its effects in people often rely on animal models or anecdotal reports. Quality and identity of online materials can vary widely.
Analytical chemists detect SR9009 with liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry, commonly abbreviated LC-MS/MS. Sample preparation may involve protein precipitation, liquid-liquid extraction, or solid-phase extraction before analysis. Laboratories can target the parent compound or its metabolites, depending on the matrix and the purpose of testing. Anti-doping methods require sensitive and specific assays because concentrations in biological samples can be low. Reference standards and validated methods are essential for reliable identification and quantification.
Regulatory agencies have not approved SR9009 for human therapeutic use. It is typically sold as a research chemical with labels stating that it is not for human consumption. The World Anti-Doping Agency prohibits the substance in sport, generally under the category of non-approved substances. Customs and national laws may restrict importation, sale, or possession. Product quality and legal status can vary by country and vendor, and therapeutic claims are not permitted in regulated advertising because the compound lacks approval.
Several misconceptions surround SR9009. It is often described as a SARM, a steroid, or an exercise pill, but its known target is the REV-ERB receptor family. Rodent studies have examined exercise capacity and metabolic markers, yet human outcomes remain unproven. Oral bioavailability appears low in animals, and human pharmacokinetics are not well characterized. Online products may contain impurities or different compounds, so identity and purity testing are important for research use.
Research interest in SR9009 grew from studies of circadian biology and metabolic disease. Preclinical reports describe effects on exercise capacity, muscle metabolism, and blood lipid levels in rodents, but these findings come from controlled laboratory settings. The compound has low oral bioavailability in animals, which limits systemic exposure after swallowing. Investigators often use injected routes in experiments to achieve measurable plasma concentrations. Human clinical data are sparse, no approved therapeutic product exists, and whether animal effects translate to humans remains an open question.
Regulatory and sporting contexts treat SR9009 as a prohibited substance in many elite competitions. Its presence on banned lists reflects concerns about performance enhancement and unknown long-term safety. Analytical chemists have developed methods to detect the parent compound and its metabolites in urine and blood. Literature discussions distinguish between in vitro potency, animal pharmacology, and anecdotal human reports. The latter are difficult to verify because products sold online may lack purity or contain different compounds.
Analytical identification of SR9009 typically relies on liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry. In biological samples, researchers first separate the compound from matrix components using protein precipitation, liquid-liquid extraction, or solid-phase extraction. High-performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet detection and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy can support structural confirmation of reference materials. Because SR9009 is a small, relatively lipophilic molecule, reverse-phase columns and acidic mobile phases are common. Laboratories often include isotope-labeled internal standards to improve quantification and to correct for ion suppression.
Stability depends on physical form, temperature, light exposure, and solvent. Solid SR9009 is generally stored cold and dry, with protection from light to limit degradation. Dimethyl sulfoxide stocks are common for laboratory work, but repeated freeze-thaw cycles can reduce compound integrity. Aqueous solutions may be less stable than organic stocks, and the ethyl ester in the structure can be susceptible to hydrolysis under certain conditions. Researchers typically validate storage conditions and recheck purity before quantitative experiments, especially when using archived material.
Regulatory treatment of SR9009 varies by country and region. It is not approved as a pharmaceutical, and several jurisdictions restrict its sale for human consumption. Some authorities classify it as a research chemical, a prescription-only substance, or a prohibited performance-enhancing agent in sport. Purchasers may encounter certificates of analysis, but these documents do not guarantee identity, purity, or legality. In research settings, institutional safety reviews and controlled procurement help ensure that materials are handled under appropriate oversight. The absence of harmonized rules means that legal status can change and requires verification.
Afamelanotide is a synthetic tridecapeptide and a structural analogue of α-melanocyte stimulating hormone (α-MSH). It is a melanocortin receptor agonist and binds predominantly to the MC1 receptor. Its binding lasts longer than that of α-MSH. This results in part from afamelanotide's resistance to immediate degradation by serum or proteolytic enzymes. It is thought to cause skin darkening by binding to the MC1 receptor which in turn drives melanogenesis. It has a short half-life of approximately 30 minutes. After administration with implantation into the skin, the majority of the drug is released within two days, with 90% released by the fifth day. By the tenth day, no drug is detectable in plasma. The details of drug distribution, metabolism and excretion remain unclear (as of 2026), but since it is a small peptide with a short half-life, it is expected that it is quickly broken down into shorter peptide fragments and amino acids.
φ29’s DNA packaging system, using pRNA, incorporates a motor for the delivery of therapeutic molecules like ribozymes and aptamers. The small size of pRNA-derived nanoparticles also helps to deliver drugs in tight spaces like blood vessels. The main difficulty in using aptamer-based drug delivery is sourcing unique aptamers and other multimers for specific treatments for diseases that potentially degrade therapeutic multimers and nanoparticles in vivo. Nanoparticles need to be stabilized as delivery mechanisms in order to adapt to microenvironments that may result in loss of therapeutic cargo.
AAA proteases use the energy from ATP hydrolysis to translocate a protein inside the proteasome for degradation. Cdc48p/p97 functions as a hexameric AAA+ ATPase that provides the mechanical force necessary for substrate dislocation. Its activity is tightly regulated by ATP binding and hydrolysis, which induce conformational changes required for protein unfolding and extraction. The HbYX motif plays a crucial role in regulating this process by mediating interactions between Cdc48p/p97 and downstream effectors such as the 20S proteasome or specific cofactors (e.g., Ufd1/Npl4). This interaction facilitates substrate transfer from Cdc48p/p97 to the proteasome, ensuring efficient protein degradation. Given its pivotal role in protein homeostasis, Cdc48p/p97 has been implicated in a wide range of cellular processes beyond ERAD, including autophagy, mitochondrial quality control, and DNA repair. The dysregulation of its function, particularly through mutations affecting the ATPase domain or HbYX-mediated interactions, has been linked to neurodegenerative diseases and cancer.
Mass spectrometry has been successfully used to identify changes in the composition of the adhesome upon perturbation. Schiller et al. as well as Kuo et al. examined the effect of inhibition of myosin contractility on the integrin adhesome composition and found LIM domain proteins and beta-PIX to be tension sensitive. Gou et al. found little change in the cadherin adhesome after calcium depletion from the media, which essentially abrogates cell-cell adhesion. Reinhard Fassler and co-workers used proteomics on specifically engineered cell lines to distinguish between the adhesome of β1- and αv-class integrins.
Sources: en.wikipedia.org
Multivesicular bodies are endosomal compartments that sort ubiquitinated membrane proteins by incorporating them into vesicles. This process involves the sequential action of three multiprotein complexes, ESCRT I to III (ESCRT standing for 'endosomal sorting complexes required for transport'). Vps4p is a AAA-type ATPase involved in this MVB sorting pathway. It had originally been identified as a ”class E” vps (vacuolar protein sorting) mutant and was subsequently shown to catalyse the dissociation of ESCRT complexes. Vps4p is anchored via Vps46p to the endosomal membrane. Vps4p assembly is assisted by the conserved Vta1p protein, which regulates its oligomerization status and ATPase activity.
Afucosylated monoclonal antibodies are monoclonal antibodies engineered so that the oligosaccharides in the Fc region of the antibody do not have any fucose sugar units. When antibodies are afucosylated, antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) is increased. Most approved monoclonal antibodies are of the IgG1 isotype, where two N-linked biantennary complex-type oligosaccharides are bound to the Fc region. The Fc region exercises the effector function of ADCC through its interaction with leukocyte receptors of the FcγR family. ADCC is important in the efficacy of cancer antibodies, but with many approved cancer antibodies there is less ADCC than could be desired due to nonspecific IgG competing with the drugs for binding to FcγIIIa on natural killer cells. Afucosylated monoclonal antibodies overcome this problem through improved FcγIIIa binding.
Activated carbon, in 50% w/w combination with celite, is used as stationary phase in low-pressure chromatographic separation of carbohydrates (mono-, di-, tri-saccharides) using ethanol solutions (5–50%) as mobile phase in analytical or preparative protocols. Activated carbon is useful for extracting the direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) such as dabigatran, apixaban, rivaroxaban and edoxaban from blood plasma samples. For this purpose it has been made into "minitablets", each containing 5 mg activated carbon for treating 1ml samples of DOAC. Since this activated carbon has no effect on blood clotting factors, heparin or most other anticoagulants this allows a plasma sample to be analyzed for abnormalities otherwise affected by the DOACs. Carbon adsorption has numerous applications in removing pollutants from air or water streams both in the field and in industrial processes such as:
Sources: en.wikipedia.org
The first step in the NADP-ME type C4 pathway is the conversion of pyruvate (Pyr) to phosphoenolpyruvate (PEP), by the enzyme Pyruvate phosphate dikinase (PPDK). This reaction requires inorganic phosphate and ATP plus pyruvate, producing PEP, AMP, and inorganic pyrophosphate (PPi). The next step is the carboxylation of PEP by the PEP carboxylase enzyme (PEPC) producing oxaloacetate. Both of these steps occur in the mesophyll cells: pyruvate + Pi + ATP → PEP + AMP + PPi PEP + CO2 → oxaloacetate PEPC has a low KM for HCO−3 — and, hence, high affinity, and is not confounded by O2 thus it will work even at low concentrations of CO2. The product is usually converted to malate (M), which diffuses to the bundle-sheath cells surrounding a nearby vein. Here, it is decarboxylated by the NADP-malic enzyme (NADP-ME) to produce CO2 and pyruvate. The CO2 is fixed by RuBisCo to produce phosphoglycerate (PGA) while the pyruvate is transported back to the mesophyll cell, together with about half of the phosphoglycerate (PGA). This PGA is chemically reduced in the mesophyll and diffuses back to the bundle sheath where it enters the conversion phase of the Calvin cycle. For each CO2 molecule exported to the bundle sheath the malate shuttle transfers two electrons, and therefore reduces the demand of reducing power in the bundle sheath.
The Public Affairs Office works with the PAAC to advocate for increased research budgets for the major governmental funding agencies, primarily the National Institutes of Health and the National Science Foundation. ASBMB has developed a set of recommendations for pre-medical course requirements consistent with the new Medical College Admission Test. Advocacy efforts also focus on protecting the conditions that promote a successful research environment. In addition, the office works to maintain a healthy relationship between ASBMB members, government officials, and the public in order to foster awareness of the importance of science to everyday life. As part of their advocacy efforts, ASBMB organizes Capitol Hill Day, an annual event that allows graduate students and trainees to meet their congressional representatives in Washington, D.C. List of biochemistry awards Official website American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology records, 1906-2005 at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County
Autosomal-dominant mutations in APP cause hereditary early-onset Alzheimer's disease (familial AD, fAD). This form of AD accounts for no more than 10% of all cases, and the vast majority of AD is not accompanied by such mutations. However, familial Alzheimer's disease is likely to result from altered proteolytic processing. This is evidenced by the fact that many mutations that lead to fAD occur near γ-secretase cleavage sites on APP. One of the most common mutations causing fAD, London Mutation, occurs at codon 717 of the APP gene, and results in a valine to isoleucine amino acid substitution. Histochemical analysis of the APP V717I mutation has revealed extensive Aβ pathology throughout neuroaxis as well as widespread cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA). The gene for the amyloid precursor protein is located on chromosome 21, and accordingly people with Down syndrome have a very high incidence of Alzheimer's disease.
Sources: en.wikipedia.org
SR9009 is a synthetic research compound that binds and modulates the nuclear receptors REV-ERBα and REV-ERBβ. It is used in laboratory studies of circadian biology and metabolism, not as an approved medicine. It is also known by the informal name Stenabolic.
No. SR9009 has not been approved as a therapeutic drug in the United States, European Union, or other major markets. Human safety and efficacy data are very limited. Its presence in consumer products does not imply regulatory approval.
The World Anti-Doping Agency lists SR9009 as a prohibited substance because it can alter gene expression and metabolic pathways relevant to performance. The ban applies at all times, not only during competition. Detection relies on laboratory methods such as mass spectrometry.
Liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry is common for identity and purity checks. High-performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet detection can also be used. Both methods require a suitable reference standard.