Overview
Epithalon (Epitalon) is a synthetic tetrapeptide identified by the amino acid sequence Ala-Glu-Asp-Gly, developed following investigations of peptide fractions derived from the pineal gland. It is classified as a short regulatory peptide in molecular research and is primarily studied in experimental systems examining telomerase-associated activity, chromosomal end protection, circadian signaling pathways, and immune-related gene expression.
In laboratory aging models, telomeres function as protective DNA–protein complexes located at chromosome termini, while telomerase is the enzyme responsible for maintaining telomere length during cellular replication. Because telomere shortening is associated with replicative senescence in controlled models, compounds that interact with telomerase pathways are widely investigated in genomic stability research.
Additional mechanistic work explores Epithalon's interaction with gene promoter regions involved in immune signaling, extracellular matrix regulation, and circadian-associated transcriptional pathways. All observations are derived from controlled in-vitro and in-vivo animal research environments.
Biochemical Characteristics
- Sequence: Ala-Glu-Asp-Gly
- Molecular Formula: C₁₄H₂₂N₄O₉
- Molecular Weight: 390.349 g/mol
- PubChem CID: 219042
- CAS Number: 307297-39-8
Epithalon is a short, linear tetrapeptide synthesized for research applications and studied for its biochemical stability and molecular interaction profiles in laboratory systems.
Research Applications
Epithalon has been evaluated in both cell culture systems and controlled animal models.
In Vitro Research Contexts
Cell-based investigations commonly assess:
- Telomerase-associated enzymatic activity
- Telomere length dynamics
- Gene promoter interaction assays
- Cytokine expression profiles
- Markers of cellular senescence
- Apoptosis-related signaling endpoints
- Circadian-related transcriptional proteins
Measured endpoints in experimental systems have included transcriptional and protein-level markers such as CD5, IL-2, MMP2, interferon-gamma, caspase-3, AANAT, and pCREB, with results analyzed relative to untreated control groups under defined laboratory conditions.
In Vivo Research Contexts
In controlled animal models, Epithalon has been examined in:
- Aging-related experimental paradigms
- Tumor development and incidence studies
- Lifespan and biomarker panel assessments
- Circadian protein regulation studies including PER1-associated signaling
All findings are confined to preclinical research systems and do not represent clinical outcomes.
Pathway & Mechanistic Context
Mechanistic investigations position Epithalon within several experimentally tractable molecular frameworks:
- Telomerase-associated activity and telomere-length endpoints — used in genome stability and replicative aging research
- Gene promoter interaction modeling — including CD5, IL-2, MMP2, and Tram1 targets as tools for studying transcriptional modulation in cell culture systems
- Circadian-associated transcriptional targets — including arylalkylamine-N-acetyltransferase (AANAT) and pCREB-linked signaling nodes, evaluated in rhythmic gene-expression paradigms
- Oncology-related research models — circadian-regulated genes such as PER1 assessed as part of broader studies of cell-cycle regulation and DNA damage response pathways
All observations represent molecular and biochemical findings under controlled experimental conditions only.
Preclinical Research Summary
Preclinical literature documents investigations across multiple biological models, including insect, rodent, transgenic, and non-human primate systems.
Reported experimental endpoints include:
- Survival curves and biomarker panels in aging models
- Telomerase-associated activity and telomere-length metrics in cell systems
- Immune signaling markers in lymphocyte studies
- Fibroblast-associated extracellular matrix endpoints including MMP2-linked biomarkers
- Apoptosis-related markers such as caspase-3 activity
- Tumor incidence and metastasis-related observations in rodent and transgenic systems
- Circadian transcriptional markers including AANAT, pCREB, and PER1
- Retinal structural and electrophysiologic endpoints in rodent degeneration models
All reported findings remain within laboratory and preclinical research frameworks.
Form & Analytical Testing
Epithalon is supplied as a synthetic tetrapeptide (Ala-Glu-Asp-Gly) for controlled laboratory workflows. Laboratories commonly verify peptide identity and analytical attributes using characterization methods appropriate for peptide materials, consistent with internal validation protocols.
Researchers may reference registry identifiers and structural information listed above when preparing study documentation and materials qualification records.
Purity & Quality
- ≥99% Purity — HPLC Verified
- Independently tested by accredited third-party laboratory
- Certificate of Analysis (CoA) available for every batch
Research Use Only (RUO) Notice
All products are furnished strictly for in-vitro laboratory research use only. "In-vitro" refers to studies conducted outside of a living organism in controlled laboratory conditions. These materials are not medicines or drugs and have not been evaluated or approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or medical condition. Introduction into humans or animals is strictly prohibited. Not for human, medical, diagnostic, or veterinary use.
