If you have been reading about Heptapeptide and want a single page that covers the useful parts, this is it: definitions, context, how it is studied, and the questions that come up repeatedly.
Updated 2025-10-08. Numbers and descriptions here follow the published literature rather than marketing material.
Published clinical evidence is limited. Most controlled trials were conducted in Russia, enrolled modest numbers of participants, and appeared in Russian-language journals, which restricts independent verification. Reported outcomes include lower anxiety scores, improved attention and memory measures, and changes in fatigue ratings. Reviews written in English note methodological limitations such as small samples and inconsistent endpoints. Whether the compound produces clinically meaningful benefit relative to established anxiolytics is therefore an open question rather than an established finding.
Selank is a synthetic heptapeptide with the sequence Thr-Lys-Pro-Arg-Pro-Gly-Pro. It was designed at the Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Russian Academy of Sciences as a structural analogue of tuftsin, a naturally occurring tetrapeptide fragment of the immunoglobulin heavy chain. The added Pro-Gly-Pro tail was intended to slow enzymatic degradation and extend biological activity. In Russia it is registered as an anxiolytic nasal preparation, while regulators elsewhere have not approved it for clinical use.
Development work on the compound began in the 1980s and 1990s at the Institute of Molecular Genetics in Moscow, within the same research programme that produced the peptide Semax. Early investigators sought a tuftsin derivative with improved resistance to enzymatic breakdown and with activity in the central nervous system after peripheral administration. Most of the primary literature from this period was published in Russian, a factor that still shapes how easily the findings can be checked by outside groups.
Naming for this compound is not fully standardised in English sources. The spelling Selanc appears in some transliterations, and catalogue entries may instead list the peptide sequence itself as the identifier. Reference material sometimes groups it with other short synthetic peptides studied for behavioural effects, which can create confusion when citations are compared. Distinguishing the exact sequence from related tuftsin analogues is therefore a practical first step when reviewing any dataset or specification sheet.
Selank is a synthetic heptapeptide with the sequence Thr-Lys-Pro-Arg-Pro-Gly-Pro, frequently abbreviated as TKPRPGP. It was designed as a structural analogue of tuftsin, a naturally occurring tetrapeptide released by enzymatic cleavage of the immunoglobulin heavy chain. The two additional proline residues at the C-terminal end extend the parent chain and change how the molecule behaves in solution. The free peptide has a calculated molecular mass of approximately 751.9 g/mol and is generally supplied as a lyophilised white to off-white powder.
| Property | Value | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Molecular formula | C33H57N11O9 | Free peptide form |
| Molecular mass | About 751.9 Da | Calculated average mass |
| Amino acid sequence | Thr-Lys-Pro-Arg-Pro-Gly-Pro | Single-letter form TKPRPGP |
| Structural basis | Tuftsin analogue | Extended version of a natural tetrapeptide |
| Development origin | Russian Academy of Sciences | Work carried out from the 1980s onward |
Selank is studied chiefly as an animal-model anxiolytic with proposed secondary effects on memory and immune signaling. Reported mechanisms include modulation of the GABA-A receptor complex, inhibition of enkephalin-degrading enzymes, and shifts in monoamine turnover within limbic structures. Some experiments describe increased expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor in the hippocampus after repeated dosing. No single molecular target has been confirmed, and the peptide does not bind any receptor with the selectivity typical of a conventional small-molecule drug. Mechanism therefore remains a set of hypotheses rather than an established pathway.
Laboratory work relies on standard behavioral paradigms. Rodents are tested in the elevated plus maze, open field, and passive avoidance tasks, with outcomes compared against diazepam or vehicle controls. Intranasal dosing is used most often because it bypasses first-pass metabolism, though intraperitoneal and intravenous routes also appear in published protocols. Biochemical endpoints include tissue BDNF concentrations, cytokine levels, and monoamine metabolites. Human data are limited to small Russian trials reporting reduced anxiety scores; most were not prospectively registered, and few employed independent outcome assessment.
Most published work on selank originates from a small number of research groups in the Russian Federation. A large share of that record appears in Russian-language journals, which limits access for readers who rely on English-indexed databases. Independent replication by laboratories outside the original research network is sparse in publicly available sources. This concentration of origin and language is a frequently noted feature when the compound is summarized in broader reviews of synthetic peptides.
Reported pharmacological effects center on reduced anxiety-like behavior in animal models and on measures of memory and learning. Proposed contributing mechanisms include modulation of GABAergic signaling, shifts in monoamine turnover, and changes in the activity of enzymes that degrade neuropeptides. Effects on the expression of genes linked to neuroplasticity have also been described. No single molecular target is widely accepted, and whether the behavioral findings arise from one pathway or several remains an open question.
Selank is a synthetic heptapeptide with the sequence Thr-Lys-Pro-Arg-Pro-Gly-Pro. It was designed as a stabilized analogue of tuftsin, a naturally occurring tetrapeptide fragment derived from the immunoglobulin heavy chain. The additional Pro-Gly-Pro segment at the carboxyl terminus is intended to slow enzymatic cleavage. The compound is usually described in the literature as a synthetic peptide with anxiolytic and cognitive-related activity, a label that reflects a research context rather than an approved therapeutic category.
Reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet detection near 214 nanometres is the standard purity method. Mass spectrometry, typically electrospray ionisation, confirms identity through the expected mass-to-charge pattern. Amino acid analysis can verify composition independently. Chiral purity requires separate techniques such as derivatisation followed by chromatographic separation, and such data are rarely reported for research-grade material.
Quantification in biological matrices relies on liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry with stable-isotope internal standards. Low plasma concentrations and adsorption to container surfaces both complicate measurement. Solid-phase extraction is often needed to reduce matrix interference before injection. Reported limits of quantification differ widely between laboratories, which makes direct comparison of pharmacokinetic results difficult and limits meta-analysis.
Peptide bonds are vulnerable to protease attack, and Selank is no exception. Measured half-life in serum is short, on the order of minutes in several reports, which explains why intranasal administration is the common route described in the literature. Absorption across the nasal mucosa partially bypasses first-pass hepatic metabolism. Quantitative data on human bioavailability remain limited and are difficult to compare across studies.
=== MeSH D12.644.548 – peptide hormones === MeSH D12.644.548.009 – activins MeSH D12.644.548.009.500 – inhibin-beta subunits MeSH D12.644.548.014 – adiponectin MeSH D12.644.548.020 – atrial natriuretic factor MeSH D12.644.548.100 – bombesin MeSH D12.644.548.150 – calcitonin MeSH D12.644.548.200 – corticotropin-releasing hormone MeSH D12.644.548.275 – gastric inhibitory polypeptide MeSH D12.644.548.280 – gastrins MeSH D12.644.548.343 – glucagon precursors MeSH D12.644.548.343.249 – enteroglucagons MeSH D12.644.548.343.249.500 – glucagon-like peptide 1 MeSH D12.644.548.343.500 – glucagon MeSH D12.644.548.387 – inhibins MeSH D12.644.548.387.500 – inhibin-beta subunits MeSH D12.644.548.393 – insulin MeSH D12.644.548.393.408 – insulin, isophane MeSH D12.644.548.393.532 – insulin, long-acting MeSH D12.644.548.393.788 – proinsulin MeSH D12.644.548.393.788.250 – c-peptide MeSH D12.644.548.400 – leptin MeSH D12.644.548.500 – motilin MeSH D12.644.548.560 – msh release-inhibiting hormone MeSH D12.644.548.580 – msh-releasing hormone MeSH D12.644.548.585 – natriuretic peptide, c-type MeSH D12.644.548.587 – pancreatic polypeptide MeSH D12.644.548.588 – parathyroid hormone-related protein MeSH D12.644.548.590 – parathyroid hormone MeSH D12.644.548.590.850 – teriparatide MeSH D12.644.548.592 – peptide phi MeSH D12.644.548.595 – peptide yy MeSH D12.644.548.600 – pituitary hormone release inhibiting hormones MeSH D12.644.548.620 – pituitary hormone-releasing hormones MeSH D12.644.548.691 – pituitary hormones MeSH D12.644.548.691.525 – pituitary hormones, anterior MeSH D12.644.548.691.525.343 – gonadotropins, pituitary MeSH D12.644.548.691.525.343.288 – follicle stimulating hormone MeSH D12.644.548.691.525.343.288.500 – follicle stimulating hormone, beta subunit MeSH D12.644.548.691.525.343.288.750 – glycoprotein hormones, alpha subunit MeSH D12.644.548.691.525.343.463 – luteinizing hormone MeSH D12.644.548.691.525.343.463.249 – glycoprotein hormones, alpha subunit MeSH D12.644.548.691.525.343.463.500 – luteinizing hormone, beta subunit MeSH D12.644.548.691.525.343.583 – menotropins MeSH D12.644.548.691.525.343.583.500 – urofollitropin MeSH D12.644.548.691.525.425 – growth hormone MeSH D12.644.548.691.525.425.875 – human growth hormone MeSH D12.644.548.691.525.525 – prolactin MeSH D12.644.548.691.525.690 – pro-opiomelanocortin MeSH D12.644.548.691.525.690.130 – corticotropin MeSH D12.644.548.691.525.690.130.050 – alpha-msh MeSH D12.644.548.691.525.690.130.200 – cosyntropin MeSH D12.644.548.691.525.690.480 – lipotropin MeSH D12.644.548.691.525.690.583 – melanocyte-stimulating hormones MeSH D12.644.548.691.525.690.583.050 – alpha-msh MeSH D12.644.548.691.525.690.583.075 – beta-msh MeSH D12.644.548.691.525.690.583.115 – gamma-msh MeSH D12.644.548.691.525.883 – thyrotropin MeSH D12.644.548.691.525.883.249 – glycoprotein hormones, alpha subunit MeSH D12.644.548.691.525.883.500 – thyrotropin, beta subunit MeSH D12.644.548.691.692 – pituitary hormones, posterior MeSH D12.644.548.691.692.433 – oxytocin MeSH D12.644.548.691.692.781 – vasopressins MeSH D12.644.548.691.692.781.100 – argipressin MeSH D12.644.548.691.692.781.100.250 – deamino arginine vasopressin MeSH D12.644.548.691.692.781.400 – lypressin MeSH D12.644.548.691.692.781.400.350 – felypressin MeSH D12.644.548.691.692.781.700 – ornipressin MeSH D12.644.548.691.692.881 – vasotocin MeSH D12.644.548.726 – placental hormones MeSH D12.644.548.726.367 – chorionic gonadotropin MeSH D12.644.548.726.367.125 – chorionic gonadotropin, beta subunit, human MeSH D12.644.548.726.367.562 – glycoprotein hormones, alpha subunit MeSH D12.644.548.726.451 – gonadotropins, equine MeSH D12.644.548.726.692 – placental lactogen MeSH D12.644.548.762 – relaxin MeSH D12.644.548.786 – resistin MeSH D12.644.548.810 – secretin MeSH D12.644.548.857 – somatostatin MeSH D12.644.548.869 – thymosin MeSH D12.644.548.905 – urotensins MeSH D12.644.548.952 – vasoactive intestinal peptide
== Research == Studies performed by the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), found that two specific polymorphisms in the MC3R gene may be associated with pediatric obesity and greater body mass because of greater energy intake. Children who were homozygous for C17A + G241A consumed approximately 38% more than those who did not contain aforementioned polymorphisms. The study concluded that these genetic variants did not affect energy expenditure.
Packaged refrigerated or frozen red meat — to control pathogens (E. Coli O157:H7 and Salmonella) and to extend shelf life Packaged poultry — control pathogens (Salmonella and Camplylobacter) Fresh fruits, vegetables, and grains — to control insects and inhibit growth, ripening and sprouting Pork — to control trichinosis Herbs, spices and vegetable seasonings — to control insects and microorganisms Dry or dehydrated enzyme preparations — to control insects and microorganisms White potatoes — to inhibit sprout development Wheat and wheat flour — to control insects Loose or bagged fresh iceberg lettuce and spinach Crustaceans (lobster, shrimp, and crab) Shellfish (oysters, clams, mussels, and scallops)
=== Pollution mitigation === In 1989, a researcher, Ken Simmons, introduced CaCO3 into the Whetstone Brook in Massachusetts. His hope was that the calcium carbonate would counter the acid in the stream from acid rain and save the trout that had ceased to spawn. Although his experiment was a success, it did increase the amount of aluminium ions in the area of the brook that was not treated with the limestone. This shows that CaCO3 can be added to neutralize the effects of acid rain in river ecosystems. Currently calcium carbonate is used to neutralize acidic conditions in both soil and water. Since the 1970s, such liming has been practiced on a large scale in Sweden to mitigate acidification and several thousand lakes and streams are limed repeatedly. Calcium carbonate is also used in flue-gas desulfurization applications eliminating harmful SO2 and NO2 emissions from coal and other fossil fuels burnt in large fossil fuel power stations.
Sources: en.wikipedia.org
cis A cis configuration means that the two hydrogen atoms adjacent to the double bond stick out on the same side of the chain. The rigidity of the double bond freezes its conformation and, in the case of the cis isomer, causes the chain to bend and restricts the conformational freedom of the fatty acid. The more double bonds the chain has in the cis configuration, the less flexibility it has. When a chain has many cis bonds, it becomes quite curved in its most accessible conformations. For example, oleic acid, with one double bond, has a "kink" in it, whereas linoleic acid, with two double bonds, has a more pronounced bend. α-Linolenic acid, with three double bonds, favors a hooked shape. The effect of this is that, in restricted environments, such as when fatty acids are part of a phospholipid in a lipid bilayer or triglycerides in lipid droplets, cis bonds limit the ability of fatty acids to be closely packed, and therefore can affect the melting temperature of the membrane or of the fat. Cis unsaturated fatty acids, however, increase cellular membrane fluidity, whereas trans unsaturated fatty acids do not. trans A trans configuration, by contrast, means that the adjacent two hydrogen atoms lie on opposite sides of the chain. As a result, they do not cause the chain to bend much, and their shape is similar to straight saturated fatty acids. In most naturally occurring unsaturated fatty acids, each double bond has three (n−3), six (n−6), or nine (n−9) carbon atoms after it, and all double bonds have a cis configuration.
== Consideration for retailers == As with the public health concerns, the following concerns have been posed but data are not yet available to prove or disprove them. Because of the unique characteristics of powdered alcohol, introduction in the U.S. could raise significant concerns from alcohol retailers as it will raise the awareness of their customers health and well as a major priority. including such as restaurants, bars, and sporting venues, including:
Jacobson JB; Kaplan NO (1957). "A reduced pyridine nucleotide pyrophosphatase". J. Biol. Chem. 226 (1): 427–437. doi:10.1016/S0021-9258(18)64843-4. PMID 13428775. Kornberg A; Pricer WE (1950). "Nucleotide pyrophosphatase". J. Biol. Chem. 182 (2): 763–778. doi:10.1016/S0021-9258(18)56512-1. Kumar SA, Rao NA, Vaidyanathan CS (1965). "Nucleotidases in plants. I. Partial purification and properties of the enzyme hydrolyzing flavine adenine dinucleotide from mung bean seedlings (Phaseolus radiatus)". Arch. Biochem. Biophys. 111 (3): 646–52. doi:10.1016/0003-9861(65)90246-8. PMID 5862212. Swartz MN, Kaplan NO, Lamborg MF (1958). "A "heat-activated" diphosphopyridine nucleotide pyrophosphatase from Proteus vulgaris". J. Biol. Chem. 232 (2): 1051–1063. doi:10.1016/S0021-9258(19)77421-3. PMID 13549486.
Sources: en.wikipedia.org
==== Knight/Dame Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire (GBE) ==== Civil The Right Honourable Dame Margaret Mary Beckett, , Member of Parliament for Derby South. For Parliamentary, Political and Public Service. Professor Dame Carol Mary Black, , Independent Adviser on Combatting Drugs. For Public Service. Sir William Blackledge Beaumont, , Chair, World Rugby. For services to Rugby Union Football and to Charity. Professor Sir James Rufus McDonald, , President, Royal Academy of Engineering. For services to Engineering, to Education and to Energy. Sir Ridley Scott, Director and Producer. For services to the UK Film Industry.
=== Cryobank === Provides long-term sample storage in liquid nitrogen. Consists of two units: one for cell lines and hybridomas, and another for mouse genetic material. The facility has automated storage systems with backup power and remote monitoring of environmental conditions. Also supplies dry ice.
During continuous weekly intramuscular injections of CPA in men with prostate cancer, mean levels of CPA roughly doubled from 170 ng/mL (408 nmol/L) after the first injection to 310 ng/mL (744 nmol/L) after the fifth injection, and were projected to increase to 350 to 400 ng/mL (840–960 nmol/L) after around 8 to 12 injections. The area-under-the-curve (AUC; total exposure) levels of CPA with 100 mg/day oral CPA and 300 mg/week intramuscular CPA may be approximately equivalent.
Gill recommended that people should "eat here at least once to find out what is really going on in your mouth". Also in 2005, the German critic Wolfram Siebeck visited the restaurant and complained of the delays in service and of several of the dishes. He described the mustard ice cream in a red cabbage gazpacho soup as a "fart of nothingness". The chef Nico Ladenis said, "Someone who makes egg and bacon ice cream is hailed a genius. If you vomit and make ice cream out of it, are you a star?" Tony Naylor of The Guardian enjoyed his trip in 2008. He defended the price, likening the occasional purchase of an exceptional meal to spending on entertainment or hobbies. In 2012, Fodor's described the Fat Duck as "extraordinary" and "one of the best restaurants in the country", and Frommer's gave it three stars, grading it "exceptional". In 2005, the Fat Duck was ranked first on the list of the World's 50 Best Restaurants. After spending 11 years on the list, it dropped to 73rd. It has been ranked second-best on numerous occasions, first behind the French Laundry and then behind El Bulli. In 2012, it was ranked 13th. In 2009, the Fat Duck was the only restaurant to be given a top score of ten out of ten in the Good Food Guide. The editor of the guide, Elizabeth Carter, wrote: "It's extremely rare that a restaurant cooks perfectly on a consistent basis, but we've had so many superlative reports that we're delighted to recognise the Fat Duck as the best restaurant in Britain." It retained that score through to the 2013 edition.
Sources: en.wikipedia.org
It is a seven-amino-acid peptide, Thr-Lys-Pro-Arg-Pro-Gly-Pro, produced by chemical synthesis rather than extracted from biological tissue. Its design is based on tuftsin, a natural immunomodulatory tetrapeptide. The C-terminal Pro-Gly-Pro segment is a common stabilising motif in short regulatory peptides.
The core four residues correspond to tuftsin, which occurs naturally as part of immunoglobulin G. The full seven-residue sequence, however, is not a known endogenous peptide. It is a laboratory-designed analogue intended to combine tuftsin-like activity with greater resistance to breakdown.
No single receptor has been confirmed as the primary target. Reports describe involvement of the GABAergic system, interference with enkephalin degradation, and shifts in neurotrophic factor expression. Because these observations come from different models and assays, they have not yet been integrated into one accepted mechanism.
The sequence is Thr-Lys-Pro-Arg-Pro-Gly-Pro, commonly written as TKPRPGP. It shares the first four residues with tuftsin and carries three prolines in the chain. The proline-rich tail is the main structural feature that separates it from the parent tetrapeptide.