The short version of 胸腺素α1 fits in a sentence. The long version — which is the one that helps — is below.
Reviewed 2025-08-31. Anything still debated is marked as such rather than presented as settled.
The peptide was identified during work in the 1970s on thymosin fraction 5, a partially purified extract of calf thymus. Investigators separated that mixture and characterized individual components, one of which they named thymosin alpha-1. The same compound later received the international nonproprietary name thymalfasin. Commercial material is produced by solid-phase peptide synthesis rather than by extraction, so synthetic and natural forms share an identical sequence. Naming conventions vary across the literature, and readers should distinguish the alpha-1 peptide from other thymosins that have unrelated sequences and functions.
Thymosin beta-4 is a separate 43-residue peptide that binds actin and participates in cell migration; it shares no sequence similarity with thymosin alpha-1 despite the common family name. Other preparative materials, such as thymosin fraction 5 and thymopoietin, contain distinct mixtures or peptides. The shared thymosin label reflects the tissue of origin used in early purification, not a common structural core. Treating these molecules as interchangeable is a frequent source of confusion in laboratory reports and in popular summaries alike.
Thymosin alpha 1 is a synthetic 28-amino-acid peptide first isolated in 1966 from thymosin fraction 5, a bovine thymus extract. Its chain begins with an acetylated serine residue and ends with asparagine. The native peptide carries a molecular mass near 3,108 daltons. Researchers classify it as an immunomodulatory agent rather than a hormone with a single endocrine target. Early work framed it as a thymus-derived factor that supports T-cell maturation. The synthetic form used in research and clinical products matches the natural sequence.
Immune signaling studies link thymosin alpha 1 to Toll-like receptor pathways, particularly TLR2 and TLR9, on dendritic cells and other antigen-presenting cells. Activation of these receptors promotes maturation of T cells and increases natural killer cell activity. The peptide shifts cytokine output toward a T helper 1 profile, raising interferon gamma and interleukin 2 while modulating interleukin 10. Whether these effects translate into clinical benefit for any specific disease remains a subject of debate. Reported outcomes vary across trials and populations.
Thymosin alpha 1 is approved as a medicine in several countries, including Italy and China, for indications such as chronic hepatitis B and as an immune adjuvant. It is not approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration as a therapeutic product. In research settings the peptide appears in studies of sepsis, vaccine response, and oncology support, often with mixed or inconclusive results. The evidence base is uneven, and reviews note that many trials were small. Regulatory status therefore differs widely between jurisdictions.
| Property | Value | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Molecular mass | About 3.1 kDa | 28 residues, N-terminally acetylated |
| Appearance | White to off-white powder | Lyophilized solid |
| Solubility | Freely soluble in water | Also soluble in aqueous buffers |
| Storage temperature | 2 to 8 °C | Protect from light and moisture |
| Common synonyms | Thymalfasin; Tα1 | Same peptide sequence |
胸腺素α1（thymosin alpha 1，Tα1）是一种由28个氨基酸组成的酸性肽，N端被乙酰化，分子量约为3108道尔顿。该肽最早从牛胸腺组织提取物中分离，属于胸腺素组分5的一个成分。其序列在不同哺乳动物中高度保守，提示其具有基本的生物学功能。名称中的“α1”指其在电泳中的迁移位置，并非表示亚型编号。它既存在于胸腺，也存在于脾脏和淋巴结等免疫组织。
20世纪70年代，研究者从胸腺提取物中纯化出多种小肽，Tα1是其中被较早表征的一种。最初的制备依赖组织匀浆和层析步骤，产量低且成分复杂。随着固相肽合成技术成熟，实验室和工业界能够生产与天然序列一致的合成版本。合成肽的纯度可达95%以上，并可通过反相高效液相色谱和质谱进行鉴定。这一转变使研究不再依赖动物胸腺来源。
市售的胸腺素α1通常以冻干粉形式提供，溶解后用于注射。其氨基酸组成包括多个酸性残基，因此在中性pH下带负电荷。该肽可溶于水和生理盐水，但在有机溶剂中溶解度有限。储存条件通常为冻干状态下负20摄氏度，溶解后需冷藏并避免反复冻融。常见的同义词包括胸腺肽α1、thymalfasin和Tα1。
Stability depends on temperature, pH, and the number of freeze-thaw events the sample has experienced. Freeze-dried material is commonly held at -20 °C or colder, while reconstituted liquid is kept cold and used within a short window. Extreme pH and prolonged light exposure can promote deamidation, oxidation, or aggregation, particularly at asparagine and methionine positions. Adsorption to container walls can lower the measured concentration of a dilute solution even when the peptide molecules themselves remain intact.
Identity and purity are usually assessed by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography, which separates the target peptide from truncated or chemically modified byproducts. Mass spectrometry confirms the expected molecular mass and can indicate acetylation state or sequence errors. Amino acid analysis and peptide mapping supply complementary sequence-level information, while endotoxin testing is relevant for preparations intended for cell or animal work. Purity figures reported by suppliers refer to the method used and are not directly comparable across laboratories unless conditions are stated.
== Roles == Director, NIHR Leicester Biomedical Research Centre NIHR Senior Investigator Emeritus Co-chair, EASD/ADA Consensus Report on Type 2 Diabetes Management National Specialty Lead, Research Delivery Network for Diabetes, Metabolic and Endocrine
==== Reactions at ligands ==== Coordinated ligands display reactivity distinct from the free ligands. For example, the acidity of the ammonia ligands in [Co(NH3)6]3+ is elevated relative to NH3 itself. Alkenes bound to metal cations are reactive toward nucleophiles whereas alkenes normally are not. The large and industrially important area of catalysis hinges on the ability of metals to modify the reactivity of organic ligands. Homogeneous catalysis occurs in solution and heterogeneous catalysis occurs when gaseous or dissolved substrates interact with surfaces of solids. Traditionally homogeneous catalysis is considered part of organometallic chemistry and heterogeneous catalysis is discussed in the context of surface science, a subfield of solid state chemistry. But the basic inorganic chemical principles are the same. Transition metals, almost uniquely, react with small molecules such as CO, H2, O2, and C2H4. The industrial significance of these feedstocks drives the active area of catalysis. Ligands can also undergo ligand transfer reactions such as transmetalation.
== Notable people with sleep apnea == Joe Biden – Former President of the United States, who uses a CPAP machine to manage a history of obstructive sleep apnea dating back to 2008. Jack Black – American actor and musician, who publicly discussed navigating his diagnosis and his reliance on a CPAP machine. Brett Favre – Hall of Fame NFL quarterback, who noted that his diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea and subsequent daytime fatigue contributed to his decision to retire from professional football. Carrie Fisher – American actress and author, whose official coroner's report cited sleep apnea as a primary contributing factor in her 2016 death. Shaquille O'Neal – Hall of Fame NBA basketball player, who partnered with Harvard Medical School to produce public health materials after being diagnosed with severe obstructive sleep apnea. Amy Poehler – Emmy-winning actress and writer, who openly detailed her severe, exhausting experiences with the sleep condition in her autobiography. Tyler Reddick – American racing driver, who partnered with a CPAP company after being diagnosed with OSA. Reggie White – NFL defensive lineman, whose death at age 43 from cardiac arrhythmia was heavily attributed to complications from untreated sleep apnea, prompting his widow to found a national sleep education foundation that also provides affordable CPAP equipment to those who might otherwise be unable to pay for it.
Sources: en.wikipedia.org
It was, unlike the first film, a true representation of Judge Dredd ... Karl Urban was a fine Dredd and I'd be more than happy to see him in the follow-up. Olivia Thirlby excelled as Anderson ... The character and storyline are pure Dredd." Dredd has been recognised as a cult film since its release. Some reviewers drew comparisons between Dredd and The Raid: Redemption, another action film released a few months earlier, noting that similar elements in setting, story, and characters made Dredd appear derivative. However, Garland and Urban explained that the timing of when the films were shot would have made plagiarism impossible.
Some clinical tests require clinical chemists to process the specimen before testing. Clinical chemists and medical laboratory scientists serve as the interface between the laboratory side and the clinical practice, providing suggestions to physicians on which test panel to order and interpret any irregularities in test results that reflect on the patient's health status and organ system functionality. This allows healthcare providers to make more accurate evaluation of a patient's health and to diagnose disease, predicting the progression of a disease (prognosis), screening, and monitoring the treatment's efficiency in a timely manner. The type of test required dictates what type of sample is used.
The Bergmann azlactone peptide synthesis is a classic organic synthesis process for the preparation of dipeptides. In the presence of a base, peptides are formed by aminolysis of N-carboxyanhydrides of amino acids with amino acid esters (1).
Sources: en.wikipedia.org
In the present, she is shown to have a healthy work/life balance and uses her position to help avoid layoffs. Kendra has a younger brother named David. Max Greenfield as Yoshi Schwooper, the youngest of the Schwooper children, and second son of Naomi and Elliot. Born in 1991, he is lackadaisical and somewhat socially awkward, but kind and laid-back. As a teenager he was diagnosed with ADHD, dyslexia, and executive dysfunction, all of which cause him difficulties with managing a career in his adulthood. In 2014-2015 Yoshi interns on a farm in Vermont. By 2019, Yoshi starts practicing modern Orthodox Judaism, which helps him to find stability. Yoshi, since infancy, has tried to connect and spend time with his siblings. However, being seven years younger, he feels like an extra child. Lisa Edelstein as Naomi Schwartz, the matriarch of the Schwooper family, and mother of Avi, Shira and Yoshi. Born in 1952, Naomi is the youngest of three daughters; they all grew up in a cramped New York apartment along with their parents. She is very self-centered and has a tendency to gain attention from her family by manipulating them. While Naomi loves her children, she is overbearing and critical, and her behavior has a deep effect on them. In 2019, her children confront Naomi about her controlling actions toward them. Naomi once worked as a social worker; to Avi's surprise, during a ceremony for her, it is revealed that Naomi has helped many people in the community, being more open-minded and supportive to strangers than her own children. In 2020, Naomi dies after contracting COVID-19.
Salcaprozate sodium (SNAC) is an intestinal permeation enhancer that is used in drug formulations particularly for macromolecules and poorly permeable compounds. SNAC has been used in formulations of drugs that have undergone clinical trials and has achieved generally recognized as safe (GRAS) status, with U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval for use in a medical food products. An oral formulation of semaglutide that includes SNAC has been approved for human use in the United States and Europe.
RSeH + H2O2 → RSeOH + H2O RSeOH + GSH → GS-SeR + H2O GS-SeR + GSH → GS-SG + RSeH In the absence of thiols, selenols tend to overoxidize to produce seleninic acids. Many organoselenium compounds (selenenamides, diaryl diselenides) contain "interesting" biological activities. Their activity is attributed to their mimicry of glutathione peroxidase activity. They reduce hydroperoxides that otherwise convert to toxic byproducts and/or reactive oxygen species that can cause further damage to the cell.
== Honors and awards == Pauling received numerous honorary degrees (around 47 by his death), starting with his alma mater in 1933, and including prestigious institutions like Cambridge University, Oxford University, Princeton University, Reed College, and Yale University. Awards and honors received during his career include the following:
Sources: en.wikipedia.org
It is a 28-residue synthetic peptide studied as an immune-modulating agent and approved as a drug in some countries. The sequence matches a naturally occurring fragment isolated from thymus tissue. It is not a hormone in the endocrine sense.
The name traces back to thymosin fraction 5, a crude thymus extract examined in the 1970s. Individual peptides in that mixture were labeled with Greek letters, and alpha-1 was one of them. The international nonproprietary name thymalfasin was assigned later.
No. Thymosin beta-4 contains 43 residues and binds actin, while thymosin alpha-1 contains 28 residues and acts on immune cells. The two sit in a historical naming group but share no sequence similarity, and they are not substitutes for one another.
It is a chain of 28 amino acids, with an acetyl group attached to the first serine residue. The synthetic version replicates this sequence. Its molecular mass is about 3,108 daltons.