What Is Humanin?
Humanin is a small mitochondria-derived peptide (MDP) identified by Hashimoto and colleagues in 2001 during a search for protective factors in brain tissue resistant to familial Alzheimer's disease-associated toxicity. The original work showed that a peptide encoded by a short open reading frame within the mitochondrial genome could protect cultured neurons from cell death induced by several Alzheimer's disease-related insults, including amyloid-beta-associated toxicity. Humanin was therefore notable not only for its biological activity but also for its unusual genetic origin. Unlike most signaling peptides, which are encoded in nuclear DNA and translated on cytosolic ribosomes, humanin is encoded within the mitochondrial 16S ribosomal RNA, or MT-RNR2, region of mitochondrial DNA. The human MT-RNR2-associated open reading frame is commonly described as producing a 24-amino-acid humanin peptide, while sequence and length conventions can differ among species, constructs, and experimental preparations.
Humanin is classified with other mitochondria-derived peptides, including MOTS-c and small humanin-like peptides, as a retrograde signaling molecule that communicates mitochondrial state to the rest of the cell and to distant tissues. It has been detected or studied in the brain, liver, skeletal muscle, heart, testes, pancreas, kidney, and circulating blood, although tissue abundance, secretion, and measurement methods vary substantially. Humanin expression and circulating concentrations tend to decline with advancing age in animal models and in several human observational studies. Lower levels have also been associated in some studies with metabolic disease, cardiovascular risk, frailty, or neurodegenerative conditions. These associations do not establish that reduced humanin causes aging or disease. Rather, they support investigation of humanin as a possible component of mitochondrial stress signaling and as a candidate biomarker or therapeutic lead.
Quick Reference
Member reference tables summarize the compound's research parameters.
Research Indications
Research Protocols
As reported in cited literature and research-community logs (see Research Citations below), not a personal dosing recommendation.
This member section describes parameters reported in the research literature.
Peptide Interactions
This member section summarizes reported compound interactions and evidence limitations.
Reported Research Time Points
This member section summarizes reported research time points.
Safety Notes
Included for harm-reduction awareness only, in the event this compound is encountered outside its labeled research use. Inclusion here does not imply RUO Codes endorses, recommends, or instructs human use.
This member section discusses research safety considerations and uncertainties.
Quality Indicators
Research Citations
- A rescue factor abolishing neuronal cell death by a wide spectrum of familial Alzheimer's disease genes and Aβ
Hashimoto, Y., Niikura, T., Tajima, H., et al., 2001, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the USA - Humanin: a novel central regulator of peripheral insulin action
Muzumdar, R. H., Huffman, D. M., Atzmon, G., et al., 2009, PLoS One - The emerging role of the mitochondrial-derived peptide humanin in stress resistance
Yen, K., Lee, C., Mehta, H., et al., 2013, Journal of Molecular Endocrinology - Mitochondrial-derived peptides: new players in aging and age-related diseases?
Cobb, L. J., Lee, C., Xiao, J., et al., 2016, Trends in Biochemical Sciences - Humanin protects against chemotherapy-induced side effects
Sponne, I., Fifre, A., Drouet, B., et al., 2008, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the USA