Page data last changed: . Chemistry registry snapshot: . Registry refreshes and identity assessments are separate from scientific content review.
A second natural APJ ligand discovered in 2013, essential for early heart and kidney development.
Also known as: ELA · Apela · Toddler · APELA
Part of the Foundational & therapeutic peptides cluster
Overview
Elabela (also called Apela or Toddler) is a micropeptide hormone identified in 2013 as a second endogenous ligand of the apelin APJ receptor. Processed from a 54-amino-acid precursor into fragments such as ELA-32, ELA-21 and ELA-11, it is studied in cardiovascular development, kidney physiology and pregnancy. This page is educational and not medical advice.
Source & context
Biological / chemical source: Cleaved from a 54-residue preproprotein (APELA gene)
Primary research or clinical context: Cardiovascular and developmental physiology research
Discovery and forms
Elabela was identified through analysis of the APELA gene, once thought non-coding. The precursor is cleaved into ELA-32, ELA-21 and ELA-11, all acting through the APJ (APLNR) receptor. It is expressed in embryonic stem cells, blastocyst, placenta, heart and kidney.
Research relevance
Loss-of-function studies link Elabela to formation of coronary vessels and to preeclampsia-like phenotypes in pregnant mice. It is examined as a biomarker and as a complementary arm of the apelinergic system alongside apelin itself.
Structure & chemistry
Molecular identity & reference confidence
Reference mass unavailable
Reference values are taken from the cited molecular record or curated profile. A database match is not independent laboratory verification; modifications, counter-ions, and formulations can change the measured mass.
- Molecular form
- Elabela (source record; form not independently established)
- Species
- Not established by this molecular identity audit
- Termini (N / C)
- Not specified / Not specified
Average reference mass
Reference policy updated: 2026-10-05
- IUPHAR/BPS source snapshot · 2026-09-06
- IUPHAR ligand: 7930
Chemistry values: IUPHAR/BPS Guide to Pharmacology · fetched 2026-09-06.
Clinical development snapshot
ClinicalTrials.gov lists 170 registered studies with “Elabela” as an intervention (snapshot 2026-10-01). A registry footprint is not evidence of efficacy or approval.
| NCT | Title | Phase | Status | Updated |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NCT06877468 | Toddler Tastes Study | Not applicable | completed | 2026-09-29 |
| NCT07845526 | Enhanced Telemedicine in Primary Care for Acute Respiratory Tract Infections Study | Not applicable | not yet recruiting | 2026-09-29 |
| NCT07309536 | Mediterranean Diet Uptake and Nutrition on Child Health, Inflammation, and Early-life Symbiosis (MUNCHIES) Stu | Not applicable | not yet recruiting | 2026-09-25 |
| NCT07839156 | Tiny Tummies - A Milk Study | Not applicable | not yet recruiting | 2026-09-24 |
| NCT03952637 | A Phase 1/2 Study of Intravenous Gene Transfer With an AAV9 Vector Expressing Human Beta-galactosidase in Type | Phase 2 | recruiting | 2026-09-21 |
| NCT05013736 | Baby Brain Recovery Study | — | recruiting | 2026-09-18 |
Change log
Dated observations from the data pipeline (registry flags, trial footprints, identifiers) and editorial reviews of this profile.
- Trials2 registered studies added on ClinicalTrials.gov (now 170).
FAQ about Elabela
What is Elabela?+
Elabela (also called Apela or Toddler) is a micropeptide hormone identified in 2013 as a second endogenous ligand of the apelin APJ receptor. Processed from a 54-amino-acid precursor into fragments such as ELA-32, ELA-21 and ELA-11, it is studied in cardiovascular development, kidney physiology and pregnancy. This page is educational and not medical advice.
What Canadian product status is recorded for Elabela?+
Canadian product status for Elabela has not been verified in this profile. No verified record here does not mean no authorization exists. Status depends on the product, formulation and use; consult Health Canada's product records.
What is the typical length of Elabela?+
Elabela is not a classic amino-acid chain peptide in the same sense; see the profile for classification details.
Related peptides
References & further reading
- 1.Sunjaya et al. (2019). Apela/Elabela/Toddler: New perspectives in molecular mechanism of heart failure. Glob Cardiol Sci Pract
- 2.Monastero et al. (2023). A promising therapeutic peptide and preventive/diagnostic biomarker for age-related diseases: The Elabela/Apela/Toddler peptide. Ageing Res Rev
- 3.Qi et al. (2024). Elabela alleviates cuproptosis and vascular calcification in vitaminD3- overloaded mice via regulation of the PPAR-γ /FDX1 signaling. Mol Med
- 4.Zhang et al. (2022). Elabela alleviates ferroptosis, myocardial remodeling, fibrosis and heart dysfunction in hypertensive mice by modulating the IL-6/STAT3/GPX4 signaling. Free Radic Biol Med
- 5.Wang et al. (2026). ELABELA Targets Mitochondria to Modulate Heart Development. Adv Sci (Weinh)
- 6.Leng et al. (2025). Roles of an endogenous peptide ELABELA in ameliorating hyperuricemia by inhibiting uric acid production via CYP27A1-modulated bile acid metabolism in mice. Biochem Pharmacol
- 7.Tang et al. (2025). ELABELA Ameliorates Atherosclerosis Through Restoring the M1/M2 Macrophage Balance in ApoE(-/-) Mice. J Am Heart Assoc
- 8.Pritchard et al. (2018). ELABELA/APELA Levels Are Not Decreased in the Maternal Circulation or Placenta among Women with Preeclampsia. Am J Pathol
- 9.UniProtKB — APELA, ELABELA (Human) X5D2P3
- 10.PMC — IUPHAR review of the apelin receptor and Elabela/Toddler
- 11.Wikipedia — Elabela