Epithalon (AEDG Tetrapeptide)
A synthetic tetrapeptide (Ala-Glu-Asp-Gly) developed as a structural analogue of pineal-gland peptide preparations, studied for its role in telomerase regulation, cellular replicative capacity, and neuroendocrine ageing mechanisms.
Overview
Epithalon (also written Epitalon) is a synthetic tetrapeptide with the sequence Ala-Glu-Asp-Gly (AEDG). It was designed by the St. Petersburg Institute of Bioregulation and Gerontology as a short synthetic analogue of Epithalamin, a peptide preparation originally extracted from the pineal gland. The AEDG sequence represents the smallest fragment retaining the biological activity attributed to that preparation in the peptide-bioregulation literature.
Because of its small size and simple structure, Epithalon has been a frequent model compound in research on peptide regulation of gene expression, telomere biology, and neuroendocrine function in ageing. The majority of this work originates from the Khavinson and Anisimov research groups and spans cell-culture, rodent, and biomarker studies.
Molecular Profile
Mechanism of Action
Research into Epithalon has focused on several interrelated pathways described in the published literature:
- Telomerase reactivation: In telomerase-negative human fetal fibroblast cultures, Khavinson et al. (2003) observed that Epithalon induced expression of the catalytic subunit of telomerase (hTERT) and increased telomerase enzymatic activity by TRAP assay.
- Telomere elongation and replicative capacity: The same body of work reported telomere elongation in treated fibroblast cultures, and a follow-up study (Khavinson et al., 2004) described cultures dividing beyond the conventional Hayflick limit relative to untreated controls.
- Neuroendocrine and pineal regulation:Review literature from the same groups (Anisimov & Khavinson, 2010) summarises rodent studies in which the peptide was studied for effects on melatonin secretion and circadian regulation in aged animal models.
- Antioxidant and antimutagenic observations: Rodent studies have reported reductions in the frequency of chromosome aberrations and in spontaneous tumour incidence in treated cohorts, framed in the literature as a possible basis for the observed geroprotective effects (Anisimov et al., 2003).
Key Published Research
Epithalon peptide induces telomerase activity and telomere elongation in human somatic cells
Khavinson VKh, Bondarev IE, Butyugov AA. Bulletin of Experimental Biology and Medicine. 2003; 135(6):590-592
Cell-culture study reporting that Epithalon induced hTERT expression, telomerase activity, and telomere elongation in telomerase-negative human fetal fibroblasts.
Effect of Epitalon on biomarkers of aging, life span and spontaneous tumor incidence in female Swiss-derived SHR mice
Anisimov VN, Khavinson VKh, et al. Biogerontology. 2003; 4(4):193-202
Long-term rodent study reporting increased mean and maximum life span and reduced spontaneous tumour incidence in peptide-treated female SHR mice relative to controls.
Effect of Ala-Glu-Asp-Gly peptide on life span and development of spontaneous tumors in female rats exposed to different illumination regimes
Vinogradova IA, et al. Bulletin of Experimental Biology and Medicine. 2007; 144(6):825-830
Rodent study examining the peptide's effect on life span and spontaneous tumour development under varied light conditions, relevant to circadian and pineal research.
Peptide bioregulation of aging: results and prospects
Anisimov VN, Khavinson VKh. Biogerontology. 2010; 11(2):139-149
Review consolidating the experimental peptide-bioregulation literature, including Epithalon studies on telomere biology, melatonin, and ageing biomarkers in animal models.
Storage and Handling
Lyophilised (unreconstituted):Store at -20°C for long-term stability. Stable at 2-8°C for shorter periods. Protect from light.
Reconstituted:Store at 2-8°C. Use within 30 days. Avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles.
Recommended solvent: Bacteriostatic water or sterile water for laboratory use.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Epithalon and Epithalamin?
Epithalamin is a peptide preparation originally isolated from the pineal gland. Epithalon is a defined synthetic tetrapeptide (Ala-Glu-Asp-Gly) developed as a short analogue representing the active core of that preparation. In the literature the two are related but structurally distinct.
What research areas use Epithalon?
Epithalon has been studied primarily in gerontology and cell-biology research, including telomere and telomerase biology, replicative senescence in cell culture, circadian and pineal-gland function, and ageing biomarkers in rodent models.
Has the telomerase research been replicated widely?
Much of the published Epithalon research originates from a small number of Russian and Eastern European groups and has not been extensively reproduced in large independent Western trials. Researchers generally treat the findings as preliminary and model-specific.
Disclaimer: This information is compiled from published peer-reviewed literature and is provided for educational and research reference purposes only. It does not constitute medical advice. Epithalon sold by Enhanced Research Compounds is intended exclusively for in-vitro research and laboratory use. It is not a therapeutic good, is not listed on the ARTG, and is not approved for human or animal consumption.