Function
While MGF is upregulated in muscle after mechanical overload, where it supports tissue repair and growth; recombinant forms are studied for regenerative and performance-enhancement effects22138, Semax is used clinically in Russia for ischemic stroke and cognitive disorders; in models it improves learning, protects dopaminergic neurons, and modulates stress responses without significant endocrine ACTH-like effects166174.
Mechanism
While MGF works as a 24-amino-acid E-peptide splice variant of IGF-1 (IGF-1Ec) produced in mechanically stressed or damaged muscle that activates IGF1R and local anabolic pathways involved in muscle repair and hypertrophy22138144, Semax is a synthetic heptapeptide, Met-Glu-His-Phe-Pro-Gly-Pro (MEHFPGP), that is an analog of ACTH(4–10) with a Pro-Gly-Pro extension and exerts neurotrophic and neuroprotective actions partly via upregulation of BDNF and modulation of dopaminergic and glutamatergic systems40162165174.
Length and Sequence
MGF is 24 amino acids long, whereas Semax is shorter as it has a length of 7 amino acids. MGF is made up of a sequence of Tyrosine, Glutamine, Proline, Proline, Serine, Threonine, Asparagine, Lysine, Asparagine, Threonine, Lysine, Serine, Glutamine, Arginine, Arginine, Lysine, Glycine, Serine, Threonine, Phenylalanine, Glutamic acid, Glutamic acid, Arginine, Lysine. Semax is made up of a sequence of Methionine, Glutamic acid, Histidine, Phenylalanine, Proline, Glycine, Proline.