If you have been reading about REV-ERB agonist 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.
Last reviewed on 2025-08-07. Where a claim depends on a specific study, the study is described rather than over-claimed.
Research interest in SR9009 grew from studies showing improved running endurance in mice after short treatment periods. Those experiments linked the compound to increased mitochondrial content and fatty acid oxidation in muscle, but the findings come from animal models and specific dosing schedules. Independent replication has been limited, and the pathways connecting REV-ERB activation to exercise performance are still being mapped. Whether similar responses occur in humans is an open question.
SR9009 is often grouped with compounds studied for circadian and metabolic regulation rather than with classical anabolic steroids. Its interactions with nuclear receptors differ from those of androgen receptor ligands, and its proposed mechanisms involve transcriptional control rather than direct hormone signaling. Some sources classify it as a metabolic modulator because of observed effects on energy utilization. The distinction matters for regulation and for interpreting research results across different compound classes.
SR9009 is a synthetic small molecule developed as a REV-ERB agonist. It binds to REV-ERBα and REV-ERBβ, nuclear receptors that help regulate circadian rhythms and metabolic gene expression. In cell and animal studies, the compound alters lipid and glucose handling and influences skeletal muscle oxidative capacity. Its exact effects in humans remain largely uncharacterized because controlled clinical trials have not been reported. The molecule is frequently described in preclinical literature as a metabolic modulator.
Detection in biological samples can be complicated by rapid metabolism and low circulating concentrations. Some studies report phase I and phase II metabolites, and analytical methods may need to target those species in addition to the parent compound. Immunoassays are not broadly available, so mass spectrometry remains the main confirmatory approach. For anti-doping testing, laboratories look for SR9009 and its metabolites using validated LC-MS methods. Open questions include how long metabolites remain detectable and how different routes of administration alter detection windows.
In laboratory settings, SR9009 is typically characterized by liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC-MS) or high-performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet detection (HPLC-UV). These methods can confirm identity and estimate purity, but they require reference standards for accurate quantification. Because SR9009 is not a licensed pharmaceutical, no harmonized pharmacopeial monograph exists. Laboratories often validate in-house methods for matrices such as plasma, urine, or cell culture media. Sample preparation may involve protein precipitation or liquid-liquid extraction before analysis.
| Property | Value | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Molecular formula | C20H24ClN3O4S | Reported for the free base |
| Molecular weight | 437.9 g/mol | Calculated from the formula |
| Primary target | REV-ERBα and REV-ERBβ | Nuclear receptors involved in circadian regulation |
| Solubility | Soluble in DMSO and ethanol | Poorly soluble in water |
| Typical storage | -20 °C, desiccated | Protect from light and moisture |
In rodent studies, SR9009 has been reported to increase mitochondrial content in skeletal muscle and improve exercise endurance under some conditions. These findings led to popular descriptions such as an exercise mimetic, although that term oversimplifies the biology. Effects vary by dose, timing, tissue, and model. The compound's influence on circadian pathways means that time of administration can matter in experiments. Whether similar metabolic changes occur in humans remains largely unexplored in controlled published trials.
Pharmacokinetic data for SR9009 are limited in published literature. Some reports indicate low oral bioavailability and rapid clearance in animals, which complicates interpretation of exposure and effect. Researchers often use injected routes in preclinical work to achieve measurable systemic levels. Analytical studies rely on mass spectrometry to detect the parent compound and its metabolites. Questions about tissue distribution, active metabolites, and long-term consequences remain open. Species differences in metabolism can affect observed half-life and target engagement.
Detection of SR9009 in biological samples usually relies on liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry. This approach separates the compound from matrix components and identifies it by mass transitions. Because SR9009 can undergo metabolism, laboratories often look for both parent drug and specific metabolites. Sample preparation may involve protein precipitation or solid-phase extraction. Method validation examines sensitivity, carryover, and interference from related substances, and reference standards are required for accurate calibration.
Storage recommendations for SR9009 reference material typically specify a freezer at -20 °C or lower, with protection from moisture and light. Repeated freeze-thaw cycles can degrade small molecules and introduce variability. Stock solutions in dimethyl sulfoxide are often aliquoted to avoid repeated handling. Stability studies may examine degradation under heat, humidity, and light exposure. The compound's thiophene and nitro groups can participate in reactions that alter analytical signals over time, so such changes affect quantitative results.
REV-ERB proteins help regulate daily cycles in gene expression, including genes tied to lipid and glucose metabolism. SR9009 binds these receptors and alters their activity in cell and animal experiments. Consequences observed in rodents include changes in skeletal muscle oxidative capacity, blood lipid levels, and exercise performance. The precise chain from receptor occupancy to whole-body effects is still an active area of study. Human responses cannot be assumed from rodent data.
Most published work on SR9009 consists of preclinical studies. It is widely sold as a research chemical, a category that does not imply safety, efficacy, or pharmaceutical-grade quality. Sports anti-doping organizations have listed SR9009 as a prohibited substance, and its presence in an athlete sample can lead to sanctions. Legal status differs by country; in several jurisdictions it is not approved for human consumption and may be treated as an unapproved new drug.
SR9009 is a synthetic small molecule studied as an agonist of the nuclear receptors REV-ERBα and REV-ERBβ. It is not a steroid, peptide, or natural hormone. In scientific literature, it appears under the code SR9009 and in non-scientific contexts as Stenabolic. The compound was identified through chemical screening efforts aimed at targeting circadian clock components. Its status remains investigational, and no regulatory agency has approved it as a human medicine.
SR9009 is supplied as a solid research chemical, often in milligram quantities. Laboratories typically weigh it in a controlled environment because fine powders can disperse. Stock solutions are commonly prepared in dimethyl sulfoxide and stored in small aliquots to reduce freeze-thaw cycles. Personal protective equipment and chemical fume hoods are standard when handling unknown or potent compounds. These practices address laboratory safety rather than human use.
Identity and purity of SR9009 samples are usually checked with chromatographic and spectrometric methods. High-performance liquid chromatography can separate the compound from related impurities, while mass spectrometry provides molecular mass confirmation. Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy may be used for structural verification in research settings. No single method proves biological activity, and certificates of analysis should be reviewed alongside raw data. Independent testing is often needed because online products vary widely.
SR9009 stability depends on temperature, moisture, light, and solvent. Solid material is generally kept cool and dry, while solutions may require protection from repeated warming and cooling. Degradation can appear as color changes, precipitate, or new chromatographic peaks. Researchers should follow supplier instructions and their own stability data. Long-term storage conditions for human use have not been established because the compound lacks approved clinical formulation.
The renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system is a major blood pressure regulating mechanism. Markers of electrolyte and water imbalance in the body such as hypotension, low distal tubule sodium concentration, decreased blood volume and high sympathetic tone trigger the release of the enzyme renin from the cells of juxtaglomerular apparatus in the kidney. Renin activates a circulating liver derived prohormone angiotensinogen by proteolytic cleavage of all but its first ten amino acid residues known as angiotensin I. ACE (angiotensin converting enzyme) then removes a further two residues, converting angiotensin I into angiotensin II. ACE is found in the pulmonary circulation and in the endothelium of many blood vessels. The system increases blood pressure by increasing the amount of salt and water the body retains. Angiotensin II is also a potent vasoconstrictor.
The linear amino acid sequence of a protein is called the primary structure. The primary structure can be easily determined from the sequence of codons on the DNA gene that codes for it. In most proteins, the primary structure uniquely determines the 3-dimensional structure of a protein in its native environment. An exception is the misfolded prion protein involved in bovine spongiform encephalopathy. This structure is linked to the function of the protein. Additional structural information includes the secondary, tertiary and quaternary structure. A viable general solution to the prediction of the function of a protein remains an open problem. Most efforts have so far been directed towards heuristics that work most of the time.
Alemtuzumab, sold under the brand names Campath and Lemtrada among others, is a medication used to treat chronic lymphocytic leukemia and multiple sclerosis. In chronic lymphocytic leukemia, it has been used as both a first line and second line treatment. It is given by injection into a vein. It is a monoclonal antibody that binds to CD52, a protein present on the surface of mature lymphocytes, but not on the stem cells from which these lymphocytes are derived. After treatment with alemtuzumab, these CD52-bearing lymphocytes are targeted for destruction. Alemtuzumab was approved for medical use in the United States in 2001. (Mab)Campath was withdrawn from the markets in the US and the EU in 2012, to prepare for a higher-priced relaunch of Lemtrada aimed at multiple sclerosis. Alemtuzumab is used for the treatment of B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia in people who have been treated with alkylating agents and who have failed fludarabine therapy. It is an unconjugated antibody, thought to work via the activation of antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity.
The Analytical Information Markup Language (AnIML) is an open ASTM XML standard for storing and sharing analytical chemistry and biological data. A main reason of using AnIML is that FAIR data (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable and Reusable) standards are automatically implemented. As AnIML's structure is human-readable, Accessibility is given. Interoperability, Reusability and Findability are secured by the AnIML Core and AnIML Technique Definitions. AnIML has been continuously worked on starting from 2003 up to 2020. The last AnIML Core Version update happened in 2010. So far, no standardisation document nor public example files have been published. The standard exists only in pre-release form. AnIML is a XML standard which consists of two logical layers:
Coiled-coil α helices are highly stable forms in which two or more helices wrap around each other in a "supercoil" structure. Coiled coils contain a highly characteristic sequence motif known as a heptad repeat, in which the motif repeats itself every seven residues along the sequence (amino acid residues, not DNA base-pairs). The first and especially the fourth residues (known as the a and d positions) are almost always hydrophobic; the fourth residue is typically leucine – this gives rise to the name of the structural motif called a leucine zipper, which is a type of coiled-coil. These hydrophobic residues pack together in the interior of the helix bundle. In general, the fifth and seventh residues (the e and g positions) have opposing charges and form a salt bridge stabilized by electrostatic interactions. Fibrous proteins such as keratin or the "stalks" of myosin or kinesin often adopt coiled-coil structures, as do several dimerizing proteins. A pair of coiled-coils – a four-helix bundle – is a very common structural motif in proteins. For example, it occurs in human growth hormone and several varieties of cytochrome. The Rop protein, which promotes plasmid replication in bacteria, is an interesting case in which a single polypeptide forms a coiled-coil and two monomers assemble to form a four-helix bundle.
Sources: en.wikipedia.org
Corin converts the atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) precursor, pro-ANP, to mature ANP, a cardiac hormone that regulates salt-water balance and blood pressure. In mice, corin deficiency prevents pro-ANP processing and causes salt-sensitive hypertension. Corin may also function as a pro-brain-type natriuretic peptide convertase. Corin-mediated ANP production in the pregnant uterus promotes spiral artery remodeling and trophoblast invasion. CORIN mutations have been reported in patients with preeclampsia. In mice, corin functions in the dermal papilla to regulate coat color in an Agouti-dependent pathway.
Naturally occurring chitin and certain peptides have been recognized for their antimicrobial properties. Today, these materials are engineered into nanoparticles to produce low-cost disinfection applications. Natural peptides form nano-scale channels in the bacterial cell membranes, which causes osmotic collapse. These peptides are now synthesized to tailor the antimicrobial nanostructures with respect to size, morphology, coatings, derivatization, and other properties allowing them to be used for specific antimicrobial properties as desired. Chitosan is a polymer obtained from chitin in arthropod shells, and has been used for its antibacterial properties for a while, but even more so since the polymer has been made into nanoparticles. Chitosan proves to be effective against bacteria, viruses, and fungi, however, it is more effective against fungi and viruses than bacteria. The positively charged chitosan nanoparticles interact with the negatively charged cell membrane, which causes an increase in membrane permeability, and eventually the intracellular components leak and rupture.
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is an aggressive form of breast cancer that accounts for ten to fifteen percent of all breast cancer cases. Chemotherapy is the only viable current treatment for TNBC because the loss of target receptors inherent to the disease causes cancer cells to resist therapeutic pharmaceuticals. The three-way junction in the φ29 DNA packaging motor can help sensitize TNBC cells to chemotherapy using a siRNA drug delivery mechanism to inhibit TNBC growth and volume. This treatment can also be combined with anti-cancer drugs like Doxorubicin to enhance therapeutic effects. Bacteriophage Bacteriophage pRNA φ29 DNA polymerase
Alpha-synuclein has been shown to interact with Dopamine transporter, Parkin (ligase), Phospholipase D1, SNCAIP, Tau protein. Beta amyloid Synuclein Contursi Terme - the village in Italy where a mutation in the α-synuclein gene led to a family history of Parkinson's disease Anti-α-synuclein drug Media related to Alpha-synuclein at Wikimedia Commons alpha-Synuclein at the U.S. National Library of Medicine Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) Human SNCA genome location and SNCA gene details page in the UCSC Genome Browser.
Sources: en.wikipedia.org
Antimicrobial peptides generally have a net positive charge, allowing them to interact with the negatively charged molecules exposed on bacteria and cancer cell surfaces, such as phospholipid phosphatidylserine, O-glycosylated mucins, sialylated gangliosides, and heparin sulfates. The mechanism of action of these peptides varies widely but can be simplified into two categories: membranolytic and non-membranolytic antimicrobial peptides. The disruption of membranes by membranolytic antimicrobial peptides can be described by four models:
Libraries of peptide aptamers have been used as "mutagens", in studies in which an investigator introduces a library that expresses different peptide aptamers into a cell population, selects for a desired phenotype, and identifies those aptamers that cause the phenotype. The investigator then uses those aptamers as baits, for example in yeast two-hybrid screens to identify the cellular proteins targeted by those aptamers. Such experiments identify particular proteins bound by the aptamers, and protein interactions that the aptamers disrupt, to cause the phenotype. In addition, peptide aptamers derivatized with appropriate functional moieties can cause specific post-translational modification of their target proteins, or change the subcellular localization of the targets.
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.
Sources: en.wikipedia.org
It is a synthetic REV-ERB agonist used mainly in preclinical research. It is not an approved medicine for human use.
It binds to REV-ERBα and REV-ERBβ, nuclear receptors involved in circadian and metabolic gene regulation. This can alter transcription of genes related to lipid and glucose metabolism in experimental models.
No controlled human trials have established that effect. Endurance findings come primarily from rodent studies, and human responses remain unknown.
It is usually detected by LC-MS or HPLC-UV against a reference standard. In biological matrices, metabolite targeting can improve detection. No universal immunoassay is widely available.