Thymosin alpha-1: structure, history and research
Thymosin alpha-1 is a 28-residue peptide first isolated from calf thymus. It is processed from the N-terminus of prothymosin alpha and carries an acetylated N-terminal serine.
History
Allan Goldstein and colleagues isolated it in 1977 (PNAS). Low and colleagues characterized its sequence in 1979 (J Biol Chem), and Wang and colleagues synthesized it soon after. Under the name thymalfasin it became the active ingredient of an approved medicine in a number of countries. It is not FDA-approved.
Chemistry
- Sequence: Ac-SDAAVDTSSEITTKDLKEKKEVVEEAEN-OH
- Molecular formula: C129H215N33O55
- Molecular weight: about 3108.3 g/mol
- CAS: 62304-98-7
Main themes in the literature
- Dendritic cells and TLR signalling. A mouse Aspergillus transplant model (Romani et al., Blood, 2004).
- Recombinant production. N-acetylation in E. coli (Fang et al., 2009).
- Pharmacokinetic engineering. Half-life extension by PASylation, in rats (Binder & Skerra, Int J Mol Sci, 2021).
Not to be confused with
Thymosin beta-4, the parent of the TB-500 fragment, is a different protein from the same original thymus extract. See BPC-157 vs TB-500.
More guides
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- Selank: the tuftsin-derived heptapeptide explained
- Adamax and Semax: what is known about this analog
- BPC-157 vs TB-500: two research peptides compared
- MOTS-c: the mitochondrial-derived peptide explained
- KPV: the α-MSH tripeptide explained
- Epitalon (AEDG): what the research covers
- Why a peptide's molecular weight can differ: salts, caps and oxidation
- HPLC purity: what the percentage on a COA means
- Mass spectrometry: how a peptide's identity is confirmed
- How to verify a lot with the QR code on the vial
- Lyophilized peptides: what they are and how labs store them
- How to choose a research compound supplier: 7 points
- How to read a certificate of analysis (COA)
All Malibu Aminos products are sold for laboratory research only. Not for human or veterinary use.
View Thymosin Alpha 1 and its per-lot certificate of analysis
For laboratory research use only. Not for human or veterinary use. This guide summarizes published scientific literature for context. It is not medical advice and does not describe any product as suitable for human use.
