Four amino acids. That is the whole molecule, which makes Epitalon one of the smallest peptides anyone studies seriously.
It came out of Soviet-era research into the pineal gland, and the question driving that work was whether the gland’s peptide output had anything to do with how the body tracks time. Whatever you make of the findings, it is a wonderful question to have asked.
Sequence and structure
Ala-Glu-Asp-Gly. A tetrapeptide, no modifications, molecular weight around 390 Da, which makes it one of the lightest compounds in the catalogue. The exact figure is on the specification table.
Epitalon or Epithalon
Both spellings describe the same molecule. It is a transliteration difference from the original Russian rather than two compounds, so a certificate using either spelling is describing the same tetrapeptide. Worth knowing when comparing paperwork.
The question researchers are asking
The original programme concerned pineal peptides and biological rhythm. Later work broadened into telomerase activity and cell culture longevity, which is where most current interest sits.
Much of the foundational literature is Russian-language and older, which means it repays a bit of digging. It is one of the more interesting archives in this field precisely because it is less travelled.
Handling and solubility
Dissolves readily in bacteriostatic water. White lyophilised powder, sealed vial at minus twenty. Being a very short peptide it is robust in handling terms, though the usual aliquoting advice still applies once it is in solution.
What to check on your certificate
The sequence, since four residues leaves little room for ambiguity and any mismatch is obvious. The molecular weight, which should sit around 390 Da. And the batch reference against the vial.
Regulatory position in the UK
Not a licensed medicine, supplied as a laboratory reagent for in vitro research.