ACE-031
ActRIIB-Fc decoy receptor
The myostatin trap.
Half-life
~ days (Fc-fusion extends half-life)
Mol. weight
Varies (fusion protein)
Sequence
ActRIIB-Fc fusion
Discussions
0 threads
Overview
A decoy receptor fusion protein (ActRIIB extracellular domain fused to an Fc domain) designed to bind and neutralize myostatin and related TGF-beta ligands, researched for muscle-wasting diseases. Unlike follistatin (the body's own antagonist), ACE-031 is an engineered decoy that mops up myostatin before it reaches its receptor — an elegant design whose early clinical trials were paused over safety signals.
Mechanism of action
ACE-031 is a soluble activin receptor type IIB (ActRIIB) extracellular domain fused to an Fc domain. It circulates as a decoy, binding myostatin and related ligands (activin, GDF-11) so they cannot activate the ActRIIB receptor on muscle. By removing the myostatin brake, it was designed to permit muscle growth in wasting conditions. Its clinical development was paused over safety signals — a cautionary reminder that broad TGF-beta family inhibition affects more than just muscle.
Researched benefits
- Engineered to neutralize myostatin
- Studied for muscle-wasting conditions
- Decoy-receptor strategy (distinct from follistatin)
Considerations
- Clinical trials paused over safety signals
- Broad TGF-beta inhibition affects multiple systems
- Not approved for human use
Key Academic Literature & Studies
Search more in PubMedPeer-reviewed citations and clinical trials evaluating ACE-031 in scientific literature.
Query PubMed for recent peer-reviewed preclinical and clinical publications on ACE-031:
View ACE-031 index on PubMed (NCBI)