Epithalin
Epitalon (Ala-Glu-Asp-Gly Tetrapeptide)
At a Glance
Molecular Properties
Overview
Compound Description
Epithalin (scientifically Epitalon or Epithalon) is a synthetic tetrapeptide, Ala-Glu-Asp-Gly, first described by the St. Petersburg group of V. Kh. Khavinson and modeled on the amino-acid composition of epithalamin, a peptide preparation derived from the pineal gland. It has been studied in cell-culture and animal models as a research tool for investigating telomere biology and pineal-gland regulation. This material is offered strictly for laboratory research use and is not intended for human or veterinary use, diagnosis, or treatment.
Mechanism of Action
Research-Identified Pathways
Research on Epitalon has centered on the enzyme telomerase, which maintains the repetitive telomere sequences at chromosome ends. In cultured human somatic cells, studies suggest that exposure to the AEDG tetrapeptide is associated with induction of the telomerase catalytic subunit (hTERT), increased telomerase activity, and measurable telomere elongation, observations that investigators have used to explore models of replicative cellular lifespan. Additional laboratory work suggests the peptide may act at the level of gene expression, with proposed epigenetic modulation of transcription reported in stem-cell and neurogenesis models. These are mechanistic research findings in vitro and in animals and do not establish any effect in humans.
Epitalon was derived from epithalamin, and a second line of research examines its relationship to pineal-gland function. Studies in aged rodents and non-human primates indicate associations between peptide administration and restoration of night-time melatonin secretion and normalization of circadian hormonal rhythms that decline with age. Research in this area frames the peptide as a probe for pineal and circadian regulation rather than as a therapeutic agent, and the findings remain preclinical and largely attributable to a limited number of research groups.
Key Research Findings
Published Study Highlights
- In telomerase-negative human fetal fibroblast cultures, Epitalon exposure was reported to induce hTERT expression, telomerase activity, and telomere elongation (Khavinson et al., 2003).
- Investigators reported that treated human somatic cell populations could divide beyond the typical replicative (Hayflick) limit in culture, a mechanistic observation used in cellular-senescence research.
- In female SHR mice dosed monthly across the lifespan, Epitalon was associated with a reduced frequency of chromosome aberrations in bone-marrow cells and inhibition of leukemia development, without a change in mean lifespan (Anisimov et al., 2003).
- In aged non-human primates, peptide administration was associated with increased basal night-time melatonin and normalization of glucose- and insulin-related endocrine rhythms, with no effect observed in young animals (Goncharova et al., 2005).
- In human stem-cell neurogenesis models, the AEDG peptide was reported to stimulate expression of neurogenic-differentiation markers (Nestin, GAP43, beta-Tubulin III, Doublecortin), interpreted as a possible epigenetic gene-expression effect (Khavinson et al., 2020).
Areas of Research Interest
Why Researchers Are Investigating This Compound
This compound has attracted significant research attention in the following areas. These represent active fields of scientific inquiry, not validated therapeutic claims. No medical benefits are stated or implied.
- Telomere and telomerase research: used as a probe to study hTERT induction and telomere-length dynamics in somatic cell cultures.
- Cellular-senescence research: examined in models of replicative lifespan and division limits in cultured human cells.
- Pineal and circadian research: studied for associations with melatonin secretion and circadian endocrine rhythms in aged animal models.
- Gene-expression and epigenetics research: investigated as a modulator of transcription and differentiation markers in stem-cell and neurogenesis systems.
Published Research
Peer-Reviewed References
- Khavinson VK, Bondarev IE, Butyugov AA "Epithalon Peptide Induces Telomerase Activity and Telomere Elongation in Human Somatic Cells." Bulletin of Experimental Biology and Medicine (2003). doi:10.1023/A:1025493705728
- Anisimov VN, Khavinson VK, Popovich IG, et al. "Effect of Epitalon on biomarkers of aging, life span and spontaneous tumor incidence in female Swiss-derived SHR mice." Biogerontology (2003). doi:10.1023/A:1025114230714
- Goncharova ND, Vengerin AA, Khavinson VK, Lapin BA "Pineal peptides restore the age-related disturbances in hormonal functions of the pineal gland and the pancreas." Experimental Gerontology (2005). doi:10.1016/j.exger.2004.10.004
- Khavinson V, Diomede F, Mironova E, et al. "AEDG Peptide (Epitalon) Stimulates Gene Expression and Protein Synthesis during Neurogenesis: Possible Epigenetic Mechanism." Molecules (2020). doi:10.3390/molecules25030609
Research Use Only
The information presented on this page is compiled from peer-reviewed scientific literature and is provided solely for educational and research purposes. This compound is intended exclusively for laboratory and scientific research use. It is not a drug, pharmaceutical, or dietary supplement. It is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or medical condition. No claims of therapeutic efficacy are made or implied.
Researchers are advised to consult the original published studies referenced above for complete methodological details, study limitations, and the authors' own conclusions. Atlas Peptide Research does not endorse any specific research application and provides this information as a reference resource only.
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