Epithalon

Research Context

Epithalon is the synthetic tetrapeptide L-alanyl-L-glutamyl-L-aspartyl-glycine (Ala-Glu-Asp-Gly, commonly abbreviated AEDG). Its sequence was modelled on the amino-acid composition of epithalamin, a peptide preparation obtained from bovine pineal-gland tissue, and it was first prepared in the 1990s in St Petersburg, Russia. Epithalamin is a mixture; AEDG is a single defined sequence, so later work could be carried out on a compound of known identity.

Preclinical studies have examined AEDG in relation to telomerase gene expression and telomere length in cultured human cell lines, and within the wider study of pineal peptide signalling.

Chemistry & Structural Modification

Epithalon is a short linear peptide with a free N-terminal amine and a free C-terminal carboxylic acid (H-Ala-Glu-Asp-Gly-OH), carrying no protecting groups, lipidation, or cyclisation. Three of its four residues are standard L-amino acids; the fourth, glycine, is achiral. The glutamic acid and aspartic acid side chains each carry a free carboxyl group, which together with the C-terminus gives the molecule three acidic groups to one basic.

• Sequence: Ala-Glu-Asp-Gly (AEDG, 4 residues)
• Molecular formula: C₁₄H₂₂N₄O₉
• Molecular weight: 390.35 g/mol
• CAS number: 307297-39-8; PubChem CID 219042

Lyophilisation & Stability

Epithalon is supplied as a lyophilised white powder. Lyophilisation removes residual moisture that would otherwise promote slow peptide-bond hydrolysis during long-term storage. The sequence contains none of the residues most prone to oxidation (cysteine, methionine and tryptophan), so cold, dry storage is a general precaution here rather than a response to a known weak point.

Storage

Store lyophilised vial at 2 to 8°C, protected from light. (Long-term storage at −20°C is standard practice.)

Reconstituted solution: 2 to 8°C, used within 14 to 30 days. Avoid repeated freeze–thaw cycles.

Quality & Documentation

• Purity: ≥99% by HPLC
• Certificate of Analysis (COA): published on our COA page.