Not for human consumption

Follistatin 344 (FST-344): Myostatin-Binding Glycoprotein | Research Grade

Follistatin 344 research peptide: ≥99% HPLC-verified purity, manufactured in LiveWell’s own Dallas cGMP facility. Follistatin 344 (FST-344) is the full-length precursor isoform of follistatin, the secreted glycoprotein that binds and neutralizes activin A, myostatin (GDF-8) and GDF-11, the ligand trap behind the landmark quadrupled-muscle-mass mouse studies and the AAV follistatin gene therapy trials. Supplied as a 1 mg lyophilized vial for in-vitro laboratory research use only.

Coming soon: pre-orders are open now. The first production batch is in the manufacturing and QC queue. Expected ship date: to be announced. Pre-orders ship in the order received once the batch clears third-party testing and the COA is published. Your card is charged at checkout and you can cancel any time before shipment for a full refund.

Identity: FST-344, the 344-amino-acid follistatin precursor isoform (follistatin CAS commonly cited as 80449-31-6)
Vial size: 1 mg lyophilized powder
Class: Secreted glycoprotein, TGF-beta superfamily ligand trap: binds activin A, myostatin, GDF-11
Purity: ≥99% HPLC, third-party tested, COA published on release
Shipping: USA same-day once released (orders before 2pm CT, Mon to Fri) · free over $200

Related: IGF-1 LR3 · MOTS-c · TB-500

For laboratory research use only. Not for human or animal consumption. Full details ↓

$ 99.99

Available on backorder

⚠️ Strictly for laboratory research use only. Not for human or animal consumption.

Quantity	Price	Discount
3-5	$ 89.99	10%
6-9	$ 84.99	15%
10+	$ 79.99	20%

Available on backorder

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Description

Follistatin 344: TGF-Beta Superfamily Ligand Trap for Research Use

Follistatin 344 (FST-344) is the full-length, 344-amino-acid precursor isoform of follistatin, a secreted glycoprotein and one of biology’s canonical ligand traps. Rather than acting on a receptor, follistatin binds and neutralizes members of the TGF-beta superfamily: activin A, myostatin (GDF-8), and GDF-11, preventing them from engaging the ActRIIB receptor. Because myostatin is the body’s principal negative regulator of skeletal muscle mass, follistatin sits at the center of the muscle-regulation literature: from the Lee laboratory’s quadrupled-muscle-mass transgenic mice to the AAV1-FS344 gene therapy trials in muscular dystrophy. LiveWell supplies it as a 1 mg lyophilized vial strictly for in-vitro laboratory research use only.

Chemical Information

Name: Follistatin 344 (FST-344, FS-344, activin-binding protein)
Identity: 344-amino-acid precursor isoform; FST-315 and FST-288 are processed isoforms
Type: Recombinant/synthetic glycoprotein (research grade)
Molecular weight: approximately 38 to 39 kDa
Mechanism: Binds and neutralizes activin A, myostatin (GDF-8) and GDF-11, blocking ActRIIB signaling
Vial size: 1 mg lyophilized powder
Purity: ≥99% (HPLC, third-party tested)

Why Researchers Study Follistatin 344

1. The myostatin story. The Lee laboratory showed follistatin transgene expression quadruples muscle mass in mice, and that the effect exceeds myostatin knockout alone, proving follistatin blocks additional ligands. It remains the reference antagonist in myostatin research.

2. Gene therapy precedent. The AAV1.CMV.FS344 Phase 1/2a trials in Becker and inclusion-body myositis are among the first human muscle-directed gene therapy studies, with published 6-minute-walk and biopsy data.

3. Beyond muscle. The 2020 PNAS study showing follistatin increases muscle but weakens bone (through GDF-11 inhibition) opened a muscle-bone crosstalk literature that keeps the protein in active use.

4. Reproductive and endocrine biology. Follistatin’s original identity is as the activin-binding protein of the pituitary-gonadal axis, a second full research field for the same molecule.

Published Clinical Literature (Research Reference)

For context only. These are findings from the Johns Hopkins myostatin program and the AAV gene therapy trials. These are results cited from peer-reviewed sources; they are not claims about LiveWell’s research-grade material.

Myostatin regulation (PNAS, 2001): follistatin identified among the proteins regulating myostatin activity and muscle growth.
Quadrupled muscle mass (PLoS One, 2007): follistatin transgene in myostatin-null mice quadrupled muscle mass versus wild type, showing action beyond myostatin alone.
Muscle mass regulation review (Mol Endocrinol, 2010): follistatin and activins in the control of muscle mass.
AAV FS344 trial (Mol Ther, 2015): in Becker muscular dystrophy, 6-minute walk distance improved 58 and 125 meters in two low-dose subjects with reduced fibrosis on biopsy.
Muscle-bone tradeoff (PNAS, 2020): follistatin increased muscle mass but weakened bone in mice, via GDF-11 inhibition.
Regulatory: not approved anywhere; studied only under IND in early-phase gene therapy trials.

Storage & Handling

Store lyophilized vials refrigerated at 2 to 8°C, protected from light and heat
Reconstitute with bacteriostatic water; reconstituted material has a shorter storage window
Follow your laboratory’s standard peptide handling protocol

⚠️ Disclaimer: Follistatin 344 research peptide is intended strictly for laboratory research and in-vitro use only. It is not a drug, food, cosmetic, or dietary supplement. This product has not been evaluated or approved by the FDA and is not for human or veterinary use. No therapeutic, weight-management or metabolic-health claims are made or implied.

Regulatory status: Follistatin is an investigational protein that is not approved for any use in any country; human exposure has occurred only in early-phase AAV gene therapy trials under IND. The research-grade material sold by LiveWell is not a drug product: it is not manufactured, compounded, or approved for pharmaceutical use, and is strictly for in-vitro laboratory research. Nothing on this page constitutes medical advice.

Follistatin 344 research reference: View the AAV follistatin trial on PubMed

Pre-Order Follistatin 344 Research Peptide: cGMP Manufactured in Dallas, TX

Qualified researchers can pre-order Follistatin 344 directly from the manufacturer. LiveWell Peptides produces research-grade Follistatin 344 in our cGMP facility in Dallas, Texas. Every vial is third-party tested to verify ≥99% HPLC purity, amino acid identity by mass spectrometry, and endotoxin limits by LAL testing, and the batch COA is published on our COA page on the day of release. Pre-orders ship in the order received (expected ship date: to be announced); once released, US orders placed before 2pm CT (Mon to Fri) ship same-day in cold-chain packaging, with free domestic shipping over $200. International shipping is available.

Why Researchers Source Follistatin 344 from LiveWell

Documentation, not claims. Every batch ships with a verified COA confirming identity and purity, published on our COA page rather than supplied only on request.

Four-point analytical testing. HPLC for purity, mass spectrometry for amino acid identity, and LAL testing for endotoxins, with independent third-party verification on top of in-house quality control.

US manufacturing and cold-chain logistics. Orders ship from our Dallas, Texas facility, with international shipping to Colombia, Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, Chile and Peru.

Related research compounds

IGF-1 LR3 (growth factor analog) · MOTS-c (mitochondrial peptide) · TB-500 (Thymosin Beta-4 fragment) · BPC-157 · Bacteriostatic Water · Certificates of Analysis

Research literature

Selected peer-reviewed sources for research reference:

Lee SJ et al. (2001). Regulation of myostatin activity and muscle growth. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. PMID: 11459935
Lee SJ. (2007). Quadrupling muscle mass in mice by targeting TGF-beta signaling pathways. PLoS One. PMID: 17726519
Lee SJ et al. (2010). Regulation of muscle mass by follistatin and activins. Mol Endocrinol. PMID: 20810712
Mendell JR et al. (2015). A phase 1/2a follistatin gene therapy trial for becker muscular dystrophy. Mol Ther. PMID: 25322757
Suh J et al. (2020). GDF11 promotes osteogenesis as opposed to MSTN, and follistatin, a MSTN/GDF11 inhibitor, increases muscle mass but weakens bone. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. PMID: 32071240

References are provided for research reference only. Inclusion of literature does not constitute a recommendation, endorsement, or claim for any specific use of LiveWell Peptides products. Products are sold for laboratory and research use only and are not intended for human consumption, injection, topical application, or any other administration to the human body.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Follistatin 344?

Follistatin 344 (FST-344) is the full-length 344-amino-acid precursor isoform of follistatin, a secreted glycoprotein that binds and neutralizes activin A, myostatin (GDF-8) and GDF-11. We supply it as a 1 mg lyophilized vial strictly for in-vitro laboratory research.

How is Follistatin different from a receptor agonist peptide?

It is a ligand trap, not an agonist: instead of activating a receptor it binds signaling proteins (activin, myostatin, GDF-11) and prevents them from reaching the ActRIIB receptor. That is why the literature calls it an activin-binding protein.

Why is Follistatin famous in muscle research?

The Lee laboratory showed that follistatin transgene expression quadruples muscle mass in mice, exceeding what myostatin knockout alone produces. It remains the benchmark myostatin antagonist in the published literature. Cited for research reference only.

What are FST-344, FST-315 and FST-288?

FST-344 is the full precursor; FST-315 and FST-288 are its processed isoforms with different heparin-binding and tissue distribution properties. The gene therapy trials used the FS344 construct.

What did the human gene therapy trial report?

The AAV1.CMV.FS344 Phase 1/2a trial in Becker muscular dystrophy reported 6-minute walk improvements of 58 and 125 meters in two low-dose subjects, with reduced fibrosis on biopsy. Published findings, not product claims.

What purity is LiveWell Follistatin 344, and is a COA included?

Every batch is third-party tested at ≥99% purity by HPLC, with mass spectrometry identity confirmation and LAL endotoxin testing. The batch Certificate of Analysis is published on our COA page the day the pre-order batch is released.

How should Follistatin 344 be stored and reconstituted?

Store the lyophilized vial refrigerated at 2 to 8°C, protected from light and heat. As a glycoprotein it is more fragile than small peptides: avoid vortexing, reconstitute gently with bacteriostatic water, and use reconstituted material promptly.

How do pre-orders work, and when will it ship?

Pre-orders are charged at checkout and ship in the order received once the first batch clears third-party testing and the COA is published. You will receive tracking the day it ships. If you change your mind before shipment, contact us for a full refund.

Is Follistatin a drug or supplement?

No. Follistatin is an investigational protein that has never been approved by the FDA or any regulator. The research-grade material sold by LiveWell is not a drug product, dietary supplement, food or cosmetic, and it is not intended for human or animal consumption.

Péptidos de investigación disponibles con envío internacional. Folistatina 344 de grado de investigación fabricada en instalaciones cGMP en Dallas, Texas. Certificado de análisis incluido con cada lote. Solo para uso en investigación.

Research Use Only Disclaimer: This product is sold strictly for in vitro laboratory research. NOT for human or animal consumption. LiveWell Peptides makes no medical claims.