Thymic Peptide / Immunomodulator
Thymosin Alpha-1 (Tα1) Research Peptide
Thymosin Alpha-1 (Tα1, thymalfasin, CAS 62304-98-7) is a 28-amino-acid peptide naturally produced by the thymus gland. Identified by Goldstein and colleagues in the 1970s, it is the first thymic peptide to have been characterized, synthesized, and studied extensively in immunological research. Synthetic thymalfasin (Zadaxin) received regulatory approvals in multiple countries for hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and immune reconstitution in certain immunocompromised conditions.
Compound identity
- Name
- Thymosin Alpha-1
- Class
- Thymic Peptide / Immunomodulator
- CAS number
- 62304-98-7
- Molecular formula
- C129H215N33O55
- Also known as
- Tα1, Thymalfasin, Zadaxin, TA1
- Sequence
- Ac-Ser-Asp-Ala-Ala-Val-Asp-Thr-Ser-Ser-Glu-Ile-Thr-Thr-Lys-Asp-Leu-Lys-Glu-Lys-Lys-Glu-Val-Val-Glu-Glu-Ala-Glu-Asn-OH
Research context
Thymosin Alpha-1 has the sequence Ac-Ser-Asp-Ala-Ala-Val-Asp-Thr-Ser-Ser-Glu-Ile-Thr-Thr-Lys-Asp-Leu-Lys-Glu-Lys-Lys-Glu-Val-Val-Glu-Glu-Ala-Glu-Asn-OH (N-terminally acetylated; CAS 62304-98-7, molecular formula C129H215N33O55, MW approximately 3108 Da). It is derived from prothymosin alpha, a larger precursor protein, through proteolytic processing in the thymus. Thymosin Alpha-1 was first isolated from bovine thymus by Goldstein et al. in 1977 and the endogenous human peptide has the identical amino acid sequence. Synthetic thymalfasin (Zadaxin, SciClone Pharmaceuticals) has regulatory approval in over 35 countries, including China and Italy, for hepatitis B, hepatitis C (in combination with interferon), and as an immune system modulator in patients with certain immunodeficiencies — a broad regulatory footprint that reflects the extensive clinical trial database on this compound.
Immunological research on Thymosin Alpha-1 has characterized effects on multiple arms of adaptive and innate immunity. Key documented effects in preclinical models and clinical studies include: enhancement of T-cell proliferation and differentiation (particularly CD4+ and CD8+ subsets), augmentation of dendritic cell function and maturation, upregulation of MHC class I and II expression, modulation of cytokine profiles (IL-2, IFN-γ, TNF-α), and effects on natural killer (NK) cell activity. The Toll-like receptor (TLR) signaling axis has been studied as a mechanism: research suggests Tα1 can activate TLR2 and TLR9, providing a molecular basis for some of its immunostimulatory effects. Thymosin Alpha-1 has also been studied in sepsis models, oncology contexts (as an immunoadjuvant to chemotherapy), and vaccine enhancement paradigms.
As a research reagent, Thymosin Alpha-1 is used in studies of thymic peptide biology, T-cell immunology, innate immune signaling, and preclinical models of immunodeficiency and viral infection. DMV Research supplies Thymosin Alpha-1 as a lyophilized powder with per-batch third-party Certificate of Analysis confirming identity by mass spectrometry and purity by HPLC to 99%+.
Frequently asked questions
What is Thymosin Alpha-1?+
Thymosin Alpha-1 (Tα1, thymalfasin, CAS 62304-98-7) is a 28-amino-acid peptide naturally produced by the thymus gland, first isolated from bovine thymus by Goldstein et al. in 1977. Synthetic thymalfasin (Zadaxin) has regulatory approvals in over 35 countries for hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and immune reconstitution, and has been studied extensively in immunological research.
What is the difference between Thymosin Alpha-1 and Thymosin Beta-4 (TB-500)?+
Thymosin Alpha-1 and Thymosin Beta-4 (the source of TB-500, an actin-sequestering peptide) are distinct peptides from the thymosin family. Thymosin Alpha-1 (CAS 62304-98-7) is a 28-aa thymic peptide studied primarily for immunomodulatory effects on T-cell and dendritic cell biology. Thymosin Beta-4 (CAS 77591-33-4) is a 43-aa ubiquitous actin-binding protein studied in contexts of tissue repair, wound healing, and cytoskeletal dynamics. They share 'thymosin' in the name but have distinct sequences, receptors, and biological profiles.
Is Thymosin Alpha-1 approved for human use?+
Synthetic thymalfasin (Zadaxin, SciClone Pharmaceuticals) has regulatory approval in over 35 countries for hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and immune modulation in immunocompromised patients. It is not FDA-approved in the United States. As supplied by DMV Research, it is for in-vitro and pre-clinical laboratory research purposes only.
What purity is the Thymosin Alpha-1 research peptide?+
Each batch is independently tested by third-party laboratories to 99%+ purity by HPLC, with identity confirmed by mass spectrometry. A Certificate of Analysis is available per batch.
Research use only
All products are intended for laboratory and research use only (RUO) and are not for human consumption, ingestion, or any in-vivo use.
The statements on this page have not been evaluated by the FDA. Thymosin Alpha-1 is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Content is provided for laboratory research reference only.