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What Is Epitalon?
Epitalon (also known as Epithalon or Epithalamin) is a synthetic tetrapeptide with the amino acid sequence Ala-Glu-Asp-Gly, originally derived from pineal gland extract research. In laboratory studies, it has been investigated for its effects on telomerase activity and cellular senescence in cell culture and animal models. PepperCo Research supplies Epitalon as a lyophilized reagent in sterile vials for in vitro research applications only.
| Property | Specification |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Epitalon (Epithalon) |
| Also Known As | Epithalamin, AEDG peptide |
| Sequence | Ala-Glu-Asp-Gly (AEDG) |
| Molecular Formula | C14H22N4O8 |
| Molecular Weight | ~390.25 g/mol |
| Appearance | Lyophilized white powder in sterile vial |
| Purity | ≥99% (HPLC verified) |
| Storage | -20°C, desiccated, protected from light |
What Is the Structure of Epitalon?
Epitalon is a short tetrapeptide composed of four L-amino acids: alanine (Ala), glutamic acid (Glu), aspartic acid (Asp), and glycine (Gly). The sequence Ala-Glu-Asp-Gly is frequently abbreviated as AEDG in the literature. The compound was synthesized based on the amino acid composition of Epithalamin, a peptide complex originally studied from bovine pineal gland extracts by Professor Vladimir Khavinson and colleagues at the Saint Petersburg Institute of Bioregulation and Gerontology.
The tetrapeptide was designed to reproduce the biological activity observed in the parent Epithalamin extract while providing a defined, reproducible reagent suitable for laboratory investigation. At approximately 390.25 g/mol, Epitalon is among the shortest peptide reagents studied for telomere-related research, and its small size contributes to favorable solubility and handling characteristics in the laboratory setting.
In laboratory models, Epitalon has been studied for its interaction with telomerase, the ribonucleoprotein enzyme complex responsible for adding telomeric repeat sequences (TTAGGG in mammals) to the ends of chromosomes. Research in cell culture suggests the peptide may modulate expression of telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT), the catalytic subunit of the telomerase complex, though the precise molecular pathway remains under investigation.
What Is the Role of Epitalon in Telomerase Research?
Telomeres are repetitive DNA sequences capping the ends of linear chromosomes that shorten progressively with each round of cell division. When telomeres reach a critical length, cells enter replicative senescence and cease dividing. Telomerase can counteract this shortening by adding telomeric repeats, but the enzyme is typically inactive in most adult somatic cells. Modulating telomerase activity is therefore a significant focus of cellular senescence and aging research.
Epitalon has been investigated in multiple laboratory studies for its potential to influence telomerase activity in human somatic cell cultures. The seminal work by Khavinson and colleagues, published in 2003, reported that Epitalon application induced expression of hTERT, increased telomerase enzymatic activity, and produced telomere elongation of approximately 33% in cultured human somatic cells.
A more recent 2025 study by Al-Dulaimi and colleagues examined Epitalon’s effects on telomere length across multiple human cell lines. The researchers observed telomere length increases in treated cell lines, attributing the effect to either telomerase upregulation or alternative lengthening of telomeres (ALT) activity depending on the cell line studied. This work reinforced earlier findings while highlighting that the mechanism may differ across cell types.
For more on these testing methodologies, see our articles on HPLC testing and Certificates of Analysis.
Epitalon Research Reagent
Lyophilized Ala-Glu-Asp-Gly tetrapeptide, ≥99% purity, HPLC and mass spectrometry verified. Available in sterile vials for in vitro laboratory research.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the amino acid sequence of Epitalon?
Epitalon is a tetrapeptide composed of four amino acids in the sequence Ala-Glu-Asp-Gly, often abbreviated as AEDG. It was synthesized based on the amino acid composition of Epithalamin, a peptide complex originally studied from pineal gland extracts.
What is the molecular weight of Epitalon?
Epitalon has a molecular weight of approximately 390.25 g/mol and a molecular formula of C14H22N4O8. These specifications are verified by mass spectrometry during quality testing.
How should Epitalon reagent be stored in the laboratory?
Lyophilized Epitalon reagent should be stored at -20°C in a desiccated environment, protected from light. Once reconstituted with a suitable laboratory solvent, aliquots should be stored frozen and used according to the researcher’s protocol to minimize freeze-thaw cycles.
What research models have been used to study Epitalon?
Epitalon has been studied in human somatic cell cultures, Drosophila melanogaster models, and rodent models in published laboratory research. Studies have investigated telomerase activity, telomere length, and biomarkers of cellular senescence in these in vitro and preclinical systems.