Immune system
Thymosin Alpha-1
Also known as: Tα1, Thymalfasin, Zadaxin
A 28-amino-acid peptide originally isolated from the thymus. As thymalfasin it is one of the best-documented immunomodulatory peptides and is approved in several countries outside the EU.
Structure
- Sequence
- Ac-Ser-Asp-Ala-Ala-Val-Asp-Thr-Ser-Ser-Glu-Ile-Thr-Thr-Lys-Asp-Leu-Lys-Glu-Lys-Lys-Glu-Val-Val-Glu-Glu-Ala-Glu-Asn
- Molecular formula
- C₁₂₉H₂₁₅N₃₃O₅₅
- Molecular weight
- 3,108 Da
- Amino acids
- 28
- Half-life
- ~2 hours
Mechanism of action
Thymosin alpha-1 activates TLR2 and TLR9 on myeloid and dendritic cells, which stimulates the adaptive immune response. It promotes T-cell maturation and natural killer cell activity.
Studies
More in Immune system
More detail (research areas, comparisons, FAQ): German lexicon entry.