Thymosin Alpha-1

Thymosin alpha-1 is an amino-terminally acetylated 28-residue peptide studied in thymus-extract analysis and immune-cell models.

Identity

Sequence

Ac-SDAAVDTSSEITTKDLKEKKEVVEEAEN-OH

Residues

28

Molecular formula

C₁₂₉H₂₁₅N₃₃O₅₅

Average molecular weight

3108.3 g/mol

Monoisotopic mass (calculated)

3106.5041 Da

CAS number

62304-98-7

PubChem CID

16130571

Strengths

5–10 mg

Other names

Thymalfasin · Tα1

Identity data from: PubChem CID 16130571

Research overview

Thymosin alpha-1 is a 28-residue peptide, also called thymalfasin, with an acetylated amino terminus and a free carboxyl terminus. The cited isolation study used high-performance liquid chromatography to examine thymosin fraction 5 preparations from calf, pig, sheep and mouse. The authors compared chromatographic retention with bovine thymosin alpha-1 and used radioimmunoassay to locate immunoreactive material in the separated samples. Chromatographic separation used a C18 column [1].

The fraction 5 analysis compared the positions of protein peaks with radioimmunoassay signals. Bovine thymosin alpha-1 provided the chromatographic reference. In analyses of fresh thymus extracts, neither a protein peak nor an immunoreactive peak was detectable at the corresponding position. The fresh-tissue samples were examined using a similar chromatographic system. The authors proposed that the peptide might be synthesized in a precursor form in animal tissues [1].

A separate mouse study examined natural killer cell activity after cytostatic exposure or X-ray irradiation, including experiments with spleen cells. It associated thymosin alpha-1 with preservation of NK-cell activity within those models. The spleen-cell experiments used antisera against asialo GM1, Thy 1 and mouse immunoglobulin to examine the effector-cell population. The later pharmacology review discusses proposed actions involving T-cell function and thymocyte differentiation [2][3].

Laboratory storage and handling

Store the sealed vial at the temperature specified in the lot documentation, protected from light and moisture. Allow the closed vial to reach room temperature before opening to limit condensation on the material. Avoid repeated freezing and thawing of laboratory stocks. Record the lot identifier and storage history with the experiment, and use standard laboratory protective equipment when handling the peptide.

Questions about Thymosin alpha-1

References

1. Isolation of thymosin alpha 1 from thymosin fraction 5 of different species by high-performance liquid chromatography. J Chromatogr 1983. PMID 6630360
2. Thymosin alpha 1 restores NK-cell activity and prevents tumor progression in mice immunosuppressed by cytostatics or X-rays. Cancer Immunol Immunother 1983. PMID 6553515
3. Thymosin alpha-1. Am J Health Syst Pharm 2001. PMID 11381492

Identity data checked on 2026-09-24. Literature summaries describe published research models and are not specifications of any product lot.