— Research monograph
SLU-PP-332
A synthetic estrogen-related receptor agonist studied in mice as a candidate exercise mimetic.
Updated
- Class
- Synthetic small molecule (not a peptide); pan agonist of the estrogen-related receptors ERRα, ERRβ and ERRγ
- Origin
- First reported in 2023 by Billon, Burris, Walker and colleagues (Saint Louis University, with Salk Institute collaborators) as a pan-ERR agonist with highest potency at ERRα.
What is SLU-PP-332?
SLU-PP-332 is a synthetic small-molecule agonist of the three estrogen-related receptors (ERRα, ERRβ and ERRγ), orphan nuclear receptors that regulate mitochondrial and oxidative-metabolism genes. Billon and colleagues introduced it in 2023 (ACS Chemical Biology), reporting increased mitochondrial function and respiration in a skeletal muscle cell line and, in mice, more oxidative type IIa muscle fibers and longer treadmill endurance. That result is why it is described as a candidate exercise mimetic.
The follow-up literature is in mice and cells. The same group reported higher energy expenditure and fatty acid oxidation, less fat mass accumulation and improved insulin sensitivity in two obese mouse models (JPET 2024). Xu and colleagues reported improved ejection fraction, less fibrosis and better survival in a mouse pressure-overload heart failure model, mediated mainly by ERRγ (Circulation 2024). Wang and colleagues reported reversal of age-related kidney changes in 21-month-old mice (American Journal of Pathology 2023).
No human trial has been published. The only human-derived work is laboratory work on cells, such as myoblasts cultured from muscle biopsies of inactive women (Frontiers in Physiology 2025, a pilot study). A 2026 paper from the originating group describes a chemically distinct successor compound, SLU-PP-915 (JPET 2026). Merit Sciences supplies SLU-PP-332 strictly for laboratory research use, not for human or veterinary use.
How does SLU-PP-332 work?
SLU-PP-332 is described as activating all three estrogen-related receptors, with highest potency at ERRα, and inducing an ERRα-dependent gene program associated with acute aerobic exercise in mouse muscle (Billon, ACS Chemical Biology 2023). ERRs are orphan nuclear receptors, transcription factors with no established endogenous ligand, that regulate genes for mitochondrial function and fatty acid oxidation. In the mouse heart failure model, genetic experiments identified ERRγ rather than ERRα as the main mediator (Xu, Circulation 2024).
Research applications
- Estrogen-related receptor pharmacology
- Skeletal muscle mitochondrial function models
- Exercise-mimetic research in mice
- Cardiac metabolism and heart failure models
- Aging kidney models
SLU-PP-332 at Merit
Form & storage
SLU-PP-332 ships as a sealed, lyophilized (freeze-dried) powder. Store sealed, light-protected, and follow your institution’s handling procedures for research materials.
Frequently asked questions
What is SLU-PP-332?
SLU-PP-332 is a synthetic small-molecule agonist of the three estrogen-related receptors (ERRα, ERRβ and ERRγ), orphan nuclear receptors that regulate mitochondrial and oxidative-metabolism genes. Billon and colleagues introduced it in 2023 (ACS Chemical Biology), reporting increased mitochondrial function and respiration in a skeletal muscle cell line and, in mice, more oxidative type IIa muscle fibers and longer treadmill endurance. That result is why it is described as a candidate exercise mimetic. Merit supplies it as a lyophilized research compound for research use only, not for human or veterinary use.
How does SLU-PP-332 work?
SLU-PP-332 is described as activating all three estrogen-related receptors, with highest potency at ERRα, and inducing an ERRα-dependent gene program associated with acute aerobic exercise in mouse muscle (Billon, ACS Chemical Biology 2023). ERRs are orphan nuclear receptors, transcription factors with no established endogenous ligand, that regulate genes for mitochondrial function and fatty acid oxidation. In the mouse heart failure model, genetic experiments identified ERRγ rather than ERRα as the main mediator (Xu, Circulation 2024). Mechanistic descriptions summarize published preclinical findings and are not clinical claims.
Is Merit SLU-PP-332 for human use?
No. It is sold strictly for research use only: not for human or veterinary use, and not for diagnostic or therapeutic use.
Is SLU-PP-332 FDA-approved?
Not approved by the FDA for any use. Supplied for research use only.
How is each batch of SLU-PP-332 tested?
Every Merit batch is tested by an independent laboratory for identity and HPLC purity before it is listed, and Merit identifies batches by date rather than by lot number. Published certificates are in the COA library at meritsciences.com/coa, searchable by compound.
Regulatory status checked October 22, 2026 against: Drugs@FDA, WADA Prohibited List.
References
- Synthetic ERRα/β/γ Agonist Induces an ERRα-Dependent Acute Aerobic Exercise Response and Enhances Exercise Capacity. Billon C, Sitaula S, Banerjee S, Welch R, Elgendy B, Hegazy L, et al.. ACS Chemical Biology, 2023 · PMID 36988910
- A Synthetic ERR Agonist Alleviates Metabolic Syndrome. Billon C, Schoepke E, Avdagic A, Chatterjee A, Butler AA, Elgendy B, Walker JK, Burris TP. The Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, 2024 · PMID 37739806
- Novel Pan-ERR Agonists Ameliorate Heart Failure Through Enhancing Cardiac Fatty Acid Metabolism and Mitochondrial Function. Xu W, Billon C, Li H, Wilderman A, Qi L, Graves A, et al.. Circulation, 2024 · PMID 37961903
- Estrogen-Related Receptor Agonism Reverses Mitochondrial Dysfunction and Inflammation in the Aging Kidney. Wang XX, Myakala K, Libby AE, Krawczyk E, Panov J, Jones BA, et al.. The American Journal of Pathology, 2023 · PMID 37717940
- Targeting ERRs to counteract age-related muscle atrophy associated with physical inactivity: a pilot study. Bonanni R, Falvino A, Matticari A, Rinaldi AM, D'Arcangelo G, Cifelli P, et al.. Frontiers in Physiology, 2025 · PMID 40692696
- An orally active estrogen receptor-related receptor agonist, SLU-PP-915, enhances aerobic exercise capacity. Billon C, Appourchaux K, Cote I, Burris TP. The Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, 2026 · PMID 41421047
For research use only. Not for human or veterinary use. Reference information summarized from published literature, not medical advice.