Thymulin | CAS 63958-90-7 | Zinc-Dependent Thymic Nonapeptide (Research Use Only) | Knowlux

Product Description

Thymulin, CAS 63958-90-7, is a synthetic nonapeptide corresponding to the serum thymic factor (FTS) originally isolated from thymic tissue, supplied by Knowlux for laboratory research use. The sequence is H-Pyr-Ala-Lys-Ser-Gln-Gly-Gly-Ser-Asn-OH, where Pyr denotes pyroglutamate at the N-terminus and the C-terminus is free asparagine. The molecular formula is C33H54N12O15 and the molecular weight is 858.85 g/mol. Unlike the disulfide-constrained or terminally blocked peptides in the Semax, Linaclotide, and Plecanatide families, Thymulin is linear, contains no cysteine, and has no intramolecular cross-link. Each lot is released with a lot-specific COA, MSDS and analytical traceability.

Structural and Functional Distinction: Thymulin is a metallopeptide: it binds Zn2+ in an equimolar ratio, and only the Zn-bound form is biologically active. The zinc-free peptide is inactive, while the 1:1 Zn-to-peptide complex is the active species. At physiological pH (7.5), Thymulin binds one Zn2+ with an affinity of approximately 5 +/- 2 x 10^-7 M. This metal-dependence has a practical consequence for the supplied material: the lyophilized peptide is the metal-free or partially metal-loaded form, and researchers must reconstitute with Zn2+ (typically as ZnCl2 or ZnSO4) at an equimolar ratio where Zn-bound biological activity is the intended readout. Lot-specific metal content is not standardized across commercial suppliers and should be requested on the COA where the assay is sensitive to Zn status.

Identity and Sequence Verification: The formula C33H54N12O15 and molecular weight 858.85 are confirmed across PeptideDB, MedChemExpress, Sigma-Aldrich, Selleck, ChemicalBook, and BOC Sciences. The sequence Pyr-Ala-Lys-Ser-Gln-Gly-Gly-Ser-Asn is consistent across PeptideDB, MedChemExpress, Sigma-Aldrich, and ChemicalBook. One LKT Labs listing reports a formula weight of 858.89; this differs from the consensus 858.85 by 0.04 g/mol and is treated as a rounding artifact rather than a structural discrepancy. The InChIKey LIFNDDBLJFPEAN-BPSSIEEOSA-N is consistent between MedChemExpress, Sigma-Aldrich, and ChemicalBook.

Product Parameters

Product Details

1. Overview

Thymulin is a nonapeptide hormone produced primarily by thymic epithelial cells, with additional production by macrophages and fibroblasts under conditions of extracellular stress such as heat or oxidative challenge. The peptide was originally described as the serum thymic factor (FTS) and is now recognized as a zinc-dependent immunomodulatory metallopeptide. Its principal research interest lies in T-cell biology: Thymulin converts Thy-1-negative pre-T cells to Thy-1-positive cells, potentiates mitogen-induced proliferation of IL-2 receptor-positive mature T cells, and activates T cells and NK cells in vitro. Beyond immunology, the peptide exhibits anti-inflammatory, analgesic, anti-diabetic, and nephroprotective activities in rodent models. Knowlux supplies Thymulin strictly as a research-grade peptide; it is not approved as a medicinal product in any jurisdiction, and supply is restricted to laboratory investigation channels.

2. Zinc-Dependent Mechanism and Receptor Pharmacology

The zinc requirement is the defining pharmacological feature of Thymulin. The peptide binds Zn2+ with 1:1 stoichiometry, and the metal-free peptide is biologically inactive. At physiological pH, the Zn-peptide complex forms with an affinity of approximately 5 x 10^-7 M, which places the interaction within the range of physiological free Zn2+ fluctuations in serum and lymphoid tissue. The functional consequence is that Thymulin activity in any assay system is contingent on the Zn status of the medium: serum-containing media, chelating agents (EDTA, EGTA), and Zn-depleted buffers can each alter the measured potency independently of peptide concentration. Researchers should either supplement with defined Zn2+ (typically equimolar ZnCl2) or control for endogenous Zn when designing quantitative assays.

Downstream biological activities attributed to Zn-bound Thymulin include potentiation of IL-2 receptor-positive T-cell proliferation, conversion of Thy-1-negative pre-T cells to Thy-1-positive cells, and activation of NK cells. In inflammatory models, Thymulin reduces pro-inflammatory cytokine production (notably IL-1beta and TNF-alpha, with reported selectivity over IL-6) in LPS- or endotoxin-induced systemic inflammation, prevents myocardial inflammation in a viral myocarditis model, and suppresses autoantibody production in a reovirus-induced thyroiditis model. Analgesic activity has been documented following intracerebroventricular administration (0.1, 0.5, and 1 microgram) in endotoxin-induced hyperalgesia models. Nephroprotective activity in cephaloridine-induced kidney injury is attributed to inhibition of ERK activation and increased superoxide dismutase activity. These descriptions are derived from published preclinical research and do not establish clinical efficacy or safety.

3. Research Applications

Documented research applications include:

• T-cell maturation and differentiation assays (Thy-1 conversion, IL-2 receptor-positive T-cell proliferation)

• NK cell activation and innate immune function studies

• Zinc-dependent immunomodulation and metal-peptide interaction research

• Anti-inflammatory cytokine profiling in LPS/endotoxin models (IL-1beta, TNF-alpha, IL-6 selectivity)

• Analgesic and neuroimmune mechanism studies (central administration models)

• Nephrotoxicity protection and ERK signaling research

• Experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) and autoimmune disease models

• Reference standard development for HPLC and LC-MS analytical methods

These descriptions are derived from published research and are provided for scientific reference only.

Quality Control

Solubility and Handling

Solubility: Thymulin is freely soluble in water and insoluble in DMSO and ethanol. Selleck's batch-tested experimental data report water solubility of 100 mg/mL (116.43 mM) for its lyophilized powder, with DMSO insoluble and ethanol insoluble. MolNova and Biozol both list water solubility of 10 mM, which is consistent with the Selleck water value on a molar basis (10 mM = 8.59 mg/mL) and may reflect a more conservative working concentration rather than a solubility limit. Sigma-Aldrich specifies solubility in deionized water. Aobious lists DMSO as a solvent in its chemical properties table, but this entry conflicts with Selleck's batch data and with MolNova and Biozol, which both report DMSO insoluble; the weight of evidence across the sourced data supports water as the solvent and DMSO as unsuitable. For stock preparation, water is the recommended solvent at up to 100 mg/mL (batch-specific); reconstitute in sterile water or a Zn-supplemented buffer where Zn-bound activity is required. Prepare solutions fresh and aliquot to avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles.

Handling Precautions: Use powder-handling containment (glove box or fume hood with particulate control). Avoid inhalation of fine powder. Wear nitrile gloves, lab coat, and eye protection. The zinc-binding property means that chelating agents (EDTA, EGTA) and Zn-depleted media will strip the metal and abolish activity; avoid chelators in buffers where Zn-bound Thymulin activity is the readout. Follow institutional chemical hygiene plans for research peptides.

Storage and Stability

Documentation Support

Per lot: COA, MSDS, HPLC chromatogram, and mass spectrometry data. Where available from the supplier, NMR data and water content are provided. Zinc content is not routinely specified on standard COAs; request lot-specific Zn data where Zn-dependent activity is the intended readout. Custom specifications and third-party inspection can be arranged on a project basis.

About Knowlux

Knowlux Biotechnology is a GMP-oriented manufacturer and supplier of peptides, APIs and fine-chemical research compounds, operating from Hubei, China. We serve research groups, CDMOs and distributors in more than 40 countries, and support contract synthesis, custom packaging and technical documentation requests.

Compliance Statement

FOR RESEARCH USE ONLY. NOT FOR HUMAN USE. NOT FOR DIAGNOSTIC OR THERAPEUTIC USE.

This product is supplied for laboratory research use only. It is not for human or animal administration, not for diagnostic or therapeutic use, not for retail sale, and not for personal use. Thymulin is not approved as a medicinal product in any jurisdiction. The purchaser is responsible for verifying product specifications against their specific research requirements and for compliance with all applicable institutional, local, and national regulations governing research chemical acquisition, storage, and use. Research context statements are for scientific reference only and do not constitute medical advice, promotional claims, or dosing guidance.

Data Verification Notes: The molecular formula C33H54N12O15 and molecular weight 858.85 are confirmed by PeptideDB, MedChemExpress, Sigma-Aldrich, Selleck, ChemicalBook, and BOC Sciences. The sequence Pyr-Ala-Lys-Ser-Gln-Gly-Gly-Ser-Asn is confirmed by PeptideDB, MedChemExpress, Sigma-Aldrich, and ChemicalBook. The LKT Labs formula weight of 858.89 is noted as a minor rounding discrepancy and not adopted. The zinc-dependence and 1:1 Zn-to-peptide stoichiometry are supported by ScienceDirect overview and the NLM-published primary study. The Zn-binding affinity (approximately 5 x 10^-7 M at pH 7.5) is from BenchChem's compiled pharmacology data. Solubility values are reported with their source and conditions; the Aobious DMSO entry is flagged as conflicting with Selleck batch data and with MolNova and Biozol, and water is adopted as the recommended solvent based on the weight of evidence. Purity values are reported by supplier tier because Thymulin lacks a compendial monograph and specifications are supplier-defined. The pharmacological activities (T-cell conversion, IL-2R-positive T-cell proliferation, NK activation, cytokine selectivity, analgesic doses, ERK inhibition, and nephroprotection) are from LKT Labs, Bertin Bioreagent, BenchChem, and PeptideDB, and are derived from preclinical research.

Formatting Note: All formulas, sequences, and comparison operators use plain ASCII notation to prevent character corruption on the platform. The micro symbol has been rendered as "microgram" and scientific notation as "10^-7" to avoid non-ASCII character risk. Section headings, table alignment, and spacing follow the approved product detail pattern. No trailing spaces or non-breaking characters are used; tables use consistent pipe alignment.