REV-ERB is one of those subjects where the details matter more than the headlines. This page pulls together the background, the mechanisms, and the practical points readers ask about most.
Last reviewed on 2026-02-18. Where a claim depends on a specific study, the study is described rather than over-claimed.
SR9009 is a synthetic small molecule studied as an agonist of the nuclear receptors REV-ERBα and REV-ERBβ, also called NR1D1 and NR1D2. These receptors help regulate circadian rhythms and metabolic gene programs. The compound was developed for laboratory research, not as an approved therapeutic. Its identity is distinct from steroid hormones and selective androgen receptor modulators. Scientific interest centers on how REV-ERB activation changes gene expression in cells and animal models.
At the molecular level, SR9009 binds the ligand-binding domain of REV-ERB and strengthens recruitment of corepressor proteins such as NCoR and HDAC3. This increases repression of target genes, including Bmal1 and other clock-controlled and metabolic genes. In rodent studies, such changes have been linked to altered lipid handling, glucose metabolism, and energy expenditure. The precise chain of events between receptor binding and whole-body effects remains an active area of research. Findings in animals do not automatically translate to humans.
SR9009 is not approved as a medicine by major regulatory agencies. It is commonly sold as a research chemical, a category that may fall outside customary drug approval and quality rules. In sports, the World Anti-Doping Agency lists SR9009 as a prohibited substance. Athletes who use it can face sanctions if it is detected in a sample. Legal status varies by country, and importation may be restricted. Enforcement practices differ across borders.
Detection of SR9009 in biological samples usually employs liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry. This method can identify the parent compound and sometimes metabolites in urine or blood. Because exposure can be low and clearance may be rapid, sample timing and limits of detection matter. Laboratories validate assays for sensitivity and specificity. Results are interpreted alongside chain-of-custody and quality-control records. Urine is the common matrix for anti-doping analysis, while blood may be used in research settings.
Handling recommendations for SR9009 in a laboratory setting include storing the solid at low temperature, protected from light and moisture. The compound is often dissolved in dimethyl sulfoxide or ethanol for experiments. Solutions should be prepared with appropriate personal protective equipment and disposed of according to local rules. Stability data for long-term storage are limited, so stock solutions are typically kept cold and used within defined periods. Records of preparation date and concentration support reproducibility.
| Property | Value | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Chemical class | Synthetic small molecule | Studied as a REV-ERB agonist |
| Molecular formula | C20H24ClN3O4S | Reported for the neutral compound |
| Appearance | Off-white to pale yellow solid | Typical research-grade material |
| Solubility | Sparingly soluble in water | Soluble in solvents such as DMSO |
| Common synonyms | SR9009; Stenabolic | Stenabolic is an informal alias |
At the molecular level, SR9009 binds REV-ERBα and REV-ERBβ and alters their repressive activity on target genes. These nuclear receptors help regulate the circadian clock, lipid synthesis, glucose metabolism, and inflammatory pathways. By changing transcription, the compound can shift the timing or magnitude of downstream metabolic processes in model systems. It does not act through androgen receptors or adenosine receptors, which distinguishes it from several substances sold for athletic performance. Whether the same transcriptional changes occur in humans at tolerable exposures remains an open question because controlled human studies are lacking.
Preclinical reports describe effects on exercise endurance, mitochondrial content, and lipid profiles in rodents, but these findings come from specific experimental conditions. Many studies use high doses or delivery methods that may not translate directly to human use. SR9009 has been reported to have low oral bioavailability and a short half-life, which complicates interpretation of oral dosing studies. It is not established as safe or effective for any indication. Literature discussions often separate its pharmacological mechanism from unverified claims made in fitness and supplement markets.
Laboratory identification of SR9009 typically relies on chromatographic separation coupled to mass spectrometry, often with ultraviolet detection as a secondary check. Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy can confirm molecular structure when a reference standard is available. Because many suppliers sell the compound as a research chemical, independent identity testing is important for experimental reproducibility. A single retention time is not sufficient proof of identity, especially when related compounds may be present. Purity assessments usually report a percentage based on area normalization.
SR9009 is generally described as poorly soluble in water and more soluble in organic solvents such as dimethyl sulfoxide and ethanol. Stock solutions are commonly prepared in an organic solvent before dilution into an aqueous buffer or vehicle. Precipitation can occur if the organic fraction is reduced too quickly or if the final concentration exceeds the compound's solubility limit. Sonication or gentle warming may aid dissolution in some protocols, but excessive heat can promote degradation. Container material and pH can also influence observed solubility.
For long-term storage, SR9009 is typically kept as a solid at low temperature, protected from moisture and light. Desiccated conditions limit hydrolysis, while opaque containers reduce photochemical breakdown. Solutions are less stable than solids and are often stored frozen in aliquots to avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles. Stability data are not standardized across all suppliers, so users should rely on certificate-of-analysis information when available. Degradation may appear as color change, precipitate, or decreased chromatographic purity.
Analytical identification and purity assessment often use high-performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet detection or mass spectrometry. Liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry is used to detect and quantify SR9009 in biological matrices, including urine and blood, for anti-doping or pharmacokinetic studies. Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy can confirm molecular structure. Stability depends on form and storage: the solid is generally more stable than solutions, and repeated freeze–thaw cycles may degrade samples. Purity is typically reported as a percentage from a certificate of analysis.
Regulatory treatment of SR9009 varies by country and context. It is not approved as a therapeutic drug by agencies such as the United States Food and Drug Administration or the European Medicines Agency. Sports authorities list it as a prohibited substance; the World Anti-Doping Agency classifies it among hormone and metabolic modulators. Legal status for personal possession or sale differs across jurisdictions, and some countries may restrict it under analog or research chemical laws. Buyers who seek verified material often rely on independent laboratory testing because online product labels may not match contents.
Laboratory samples of SR9009 are typically handled as research chemicals rather than pharmaceuticals. Suppliers usually state that the material is for research use only and not for human or veterinary administration. Storage recommendations generally call for a freezer at approximately −20 °C, protection from light, and a desiccated environment. The solid is often described as a white to off-white powder. Solubility is commonly reported in organic solvents such as dimethyl sulfoxide and ethanol, with low solubility in water.
SR9009 is a synthetic small molecule developed as an agonist of the nuclear receptors REV-ERBα (NR1D1) and REV-ERBβ (NR1D2). These receptors help regulate circadian rhythms and metabolic gene expression. In cell and animal studies, SR9009 alters transcription of genes involved in lipid metabolism, inflammation, and mitochondrial function. It is not an approved medicine, and its pharmacological profile in humans remains largely uncharacterized. The compound is frequently discussed in the context of circadian biology and metabolic research rather than clinical use.
Preclinical reports have linked SR9009 to improved endurance and altered energy expenditure in rodents. Such findings have prompted interest in whether REV-ERB activation can influence skeletal muscle metabolism. However, the reported effects depend on dose, route, and experimental model, and replication across laboratories is limited. Human trials have not established comparable outcomes, so claims about exercise performance remain speculative. The absence of controlled human data is a central limitation in interpreting these observations.
The mechanism of action involves binding to REV-ERB receptors and recruiting corepressor complexes, which represses target gene transcription. This contrasts with many nuclear receptor agonists that activate transcription. Downstream effects may include changes in autophagy, mitochondrial biogenesis, and lipid handling, but the precise pathways remain an active area of study. Whether these molecular events translate into meaningful physiological effects in humans is unresolved. Most evidence comes from cultured cells and rodent models rather than human participants.
The alpha-1B adrenergic receptor (α1B-adrenoreceptor), also known as ADRA1B, is an alpha-1 adrenergic receptor, and also denotes the human gene encoding it. The crystal structure of the α1B-adrenergic receptor has been determined in complex with the inverse agonist (+)-cyclazosin. There are 3 alpha-1 adrenergic receptor subtypes: alpha-1A, -1B and -1D, all of which signal through the Gq/11 family of G-proteins and different subtypes show different patterns of activation. They activate mitogenic responses and regulate growth and proliferation of many cells. This gene encodes alpha-1B-adrenergic receptor, which induces neoplastic transformation when transfected into NIH 3T3 fibroblasts and other cell lines. Thus, this normal cellular gene is identified as a protooncogene. This gene comprises 2 exons and a single large intron of at least 20 kb that interrupts the coding region. Antagonists L-765,314 Risperidone Brexpiprazole Tamsulosin Alpha-1B adrenergic receptor has been shown to interact with AP2M1. A role in regulation of dopaminergic neurotransmission has also been suggested.
Outbreaks of disease Food-born illness Bioterrorism Natural disasters APHL plays a critical role in crisis response to these public health emergencies through the Laboratory Response Network (LRN). The LRN was formed in 1999 in a cooperative effort between APHL, the CDC and FBI to rapidly detect, and respond to public health emergencies. The Department of Defense has joined in the effort to support biological response activities. In addition to their leadership during times of crisis, APHL has a strong focus on preparing public health laboratories on how to respond to emergencies when they happen through training and capacity-building, as well as creating model frameworks that labs around the country can use in order to have procedures in place to handle a crisis when it happens.
n RCHNHC(O)OC(O) → [N(H)CH(R)CO)]n + n CO2 Poly-L-lysine has been prepared from N-carbobenzyloxy-α-N-carboxy-L-lysine anhydride, followed by deprotection with phosphonium iodide. Peptide synthesis from NCAs does not require protection of the amino acid functional groups. N-Substituted NCAs, such as sulfenamide derivatives have also been examined. The ring-opening polymerization of NCAs is catalyzed by metal catalysts. The polymerization of NCA’s have been considered as a prebiotic route to polypeptides. NCAs can also be used to form amides and lactams by reaction of carboxylic acids and isocyanates. Dakin–West reaction Glycine N-carboxyanhydride, the parent NCA
Sources: en.wikipedia.org
Amitriptyline was developed by the American pharmaceutical company Merck in the late 1950s. In 1958, Merck approached several clinical investigators proposing to conduct clinical trials of amitriptyline for schizophrenia. One of these researchers, Frank Ayd, instead, suggested using amitriptyline for depression. Ayd treated 130 patients and, in 1960, reported that amitriptyline had antidepressant properties similar to another, and the only known at the time, tricyclic antidepressant imipramine. Following this, the US Food and Drug Administration approved amitriptyline for depression in 1961. In Europe, due to a quirk of the patent law at the time allowing patents only on the chemical synthesis but not on the drug itself, Roche and Lundbeck were able to independently develop and market amitriptyline in the early 1960s. According to research by a historian of psychopharmacology David Healy, amitriptyline became a much bigger selling drug than its precursor imipramine because of two factors. First, amitriptyline has a much stronger anxiolytic effect. Second, Merck conducted a marketing campaign raising clinicians' awareness of depression as a clinical entity. Amitriptyline is no longer sold under the brand name Elavil.
After translation, the AGP protein backbones are highly decorated with complex carbohydrates, primarily type II AG polysaccharides. The biosynthesis of the mature AGP involves cleavage of the signal peptide at the N-terminus, hydroxylation on the P residues and subsequent glycosylation and in many cases addition of a GPI-anchor. Glycosylation of the AGP backbone is suggested to initiate in the ERTooltip endoplasmic reticulum with the addition of first Gal by O-galactosyltransferase, which is predominantly located in ER fractions. Chain extension then occurs primarily in the GA. For those AGPs that include a GPI anchor, addition occurs while co-translationally migrating into the ER.
Understanding of the molecular basis of binding to integrins has enabled the development of several drugs for cardiovascular disease and cancer, including eptifibatide, tirofiban and cilengitide. These drugs inhibit integrin binding. PET radiotracers such as fluciclatide utilize RGD-containing peptides to home to tumors, allowing for cancer monitoring. Eptifibatide and tirofiban are anti-clotting drugs indicated to prevent thrombosis in acute ischemic coronary syndromes. Eptifibatide is additionally FDA approved for patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention. These drugs block activation of the integrin responsible for aggregation of platelets (αIIbβ3, also known as glycoprotein IIb/IIIa) in response to the blood glycoproteins fibrinogen and von Willebrand factor. Eptifibatide (marketed as Integrilin) is a cyclic (circular) seven amino acid peptide, whereas tirofiban is a small molecule designed to mimic the chemistry and binding affinity of the RGD sequence.
Much of the genetic manipulation done in CHO cells is done in cells lacking DHFR enzyme. This genetic selection scheme remains one of the standard methods to establish transfected CHO cell lines for the production of recombinant therapeutic proteins. The process begins with the molecular cloning of the gene of interest and the DHFR gene into a single mammalian expression system. The plasmid DNA carrying the two genes is then transfected into cells, and the cells are grown under selective conditions in a thymidine-lacking medium. Surviving cells will have the exogenous DHFR gene along with the gene of interest integrated in its genome. The growth rate and the level of recombinant protein production of each cell line varies widely. To obtain a few stably transfected cell lines with the desired phenotypic characteristics, evaluating several hundred candidate cell lines may be necessary. The CHO and CHO-K1 cell lines can be obtained from a number of biological resource centres such as the European Collection of Cell Cultures, which is part of the Health Protection Agency Culture Collections. These organizations also maintain data, such as growth curves, timelapse videos of growth, images, and subculture routine information.
Sources: en.wikipedia.org
SR9009 is a synthetic research compound that activates the REV-ERBα and REV-ERBβ nuclear receptors. It is not an approved drug and has no established human therapeutic use. Most published biological data come from cell and rodent studies.
No. SR9009 is frequently mislabeled as a SARM in online discussions, but it does not target androgen receptors. Its known mechanism involves REV-ERB nuclear receptors and circadian-metabolic gene regulation.
Human clinical data are very limited. There is no approved human use, and safety and efficacy in people are not established. Most evidence comes from preclinical models, so effects observed in animals may not apply to humans.
Its legal status depends on the country and intended use. It is not an approved medicine in major jurisdictions. In sport, it is prohibited by anti-doping rules.