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PRODUCTS SOLD ON PEPTIDESLABIRELAND.COM ARE FOR RESEARCH PURPOSES ONLY AND ARE NOT FOR HUMAN OR VETERINARY USE.
Fast Ireland delivery — dispatched to Dublin, Cork, Galway, Limerick and nationwide.
By the Peptides Lab Ireland research team · Updated July 2026 · Research use only
The Follistatin–Myostatin (GDF-8) pathway is one of the most active areas of muscle biology research and a central axis in negative-regulator biology of skeletal muscle. This reference explains the pathway and the three research compounds Irish research groups use to study it.
Myostatin : also called GDF-8 (Growth/Differentiation Factor 8) , is a member of the TGF-β superfamily and functions as a negative regulator of skeletal muscle mass. Genetic knockout of myostatin in animal models produces dramatic muscle hypertrophy, and rare natural mutations in cattle and humans (the “double-muscled” phenotype) have been characterised.
Follistatin is a glycoprotein that binds and neutralises myostatin (as well as activin). By sequestering myostatin, Follistatin removes the brake on muscle growth. It is the canonical research reference for myostatin pathway inhibition.
ACE-031 is a soluble activin receptor type IIB (ActRIIB) fusion protein research reference. Rather than binding myostatin directly (like Follistatin), it acts as a decoy receptor — myostatin binds to the soluble ActRIIB and can’t engage the real membrane receptor.
| Compound | Mechanism | Best research fit |
|---|---|---|
| GDF-8 (myostatin) | Endogenous protein — study the ligand itself | Baseline pathway biology, receptor pharmacology |
| Follistatin | Binds and neutralises myostatin (and activin) | Ligand-sequestration research |
| ACE-031 | Soluble ActRIIB decoy receptor | Receptor-level pathway inhibition research |
Preclinical research using these compounds covers:
All three compounds reconstitute with bacteriostatic water see our reconstitution guide. Follow batch-specific stability guidance on the COA. Large proteins (Follistatin, ACE-031) benefit from extra-gentle reconstitution technique — swirl gently, don’t shake.
None of these compounds is approved as a medicinal product in Ireland. Supplied strictly for in-vitro laboratory research and see our HPRA guide.
For laboratory research use only. Not intended for human or veterinary use.
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