Selank

Selank Synthetic Tuftsin Analog Peptide | Research Use Only

What it is

Selank is a synthetic heptapeptide with the amino acid sequence Thr Lys Pro Arg Pro Gly Pro, often abbreviated TKPRPGP. It is described in the scientific literature as a metabolically stabilized analog of the endogenous immunomodulatory peptide tuftsin, created by extending the tuftsin core fragment with a Pro Gly Pro tail.

Origins and development

Selank was designed and produced at the Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Russian Academy of Sciences in cooperation with the V V Zakusov Research Institute of Pharmacology. Publications from this research group describe the rationale as building on tuftsin biology while improving stability through C terminal extension.

Molecular profile

PubChem lists Selank with molecular formula C33H57N11O9 and molecular weight 751.9 g per mol, and provides the condensed sequence notation H Thr Lys Pro Arg Pro Gly Pro OH.

Scientific overview

Selank belongs to a group of regulatory peptides explored for combined neuroactive and immunomodulatory signaling. Mechanistic research includes gene expression studies that found Selank alters expression of genes involved in neurotransmission, with one proposed molecular mechanism linked to modulation of the GABA system. Because many findings are model dependent, pathway conclusions depend on experimental system, timing, and endpoints.

Clinical research

Clinical literature includes a study in patients with generalized anxiety disorder and neurasthenia where Selank was compared with medazepam using standard psychometric scales, reporting similar anxiolytic effects and differences in secondary features described by the authors. This does not make Selank FDA approved, and broader clinical translation depends on the totality of evidence and regulatory review.

What researchers study with Selank

Key research focus areas often include
• Neurotransmission related gene expression and GABA system linked hypotheses
• Stress response and cytokine related measurements in animal models
• Structure activity work based on tuftsin derived peptide design

Regulatory and compliance notice

Research Use Only. Not for human or veterinary use. This description is provided for scientific context and must not be used to market Selank for diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment, or prevention of disease.

Citations and references

1. PubChem Selank compound record, includes molecular formula, molecular weight, identifiers, and sequence notation.
   https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Selank

2. Volkova A, et al. Selank administration affects expression of genes involved in GABA related neurotransmission. International Journal of Molecular Sciences (2016). Full text on PubMed Central.
   https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4757669/

3. Zozulia AA, et al. Efficacy and possible mechanisms of action of Selank in generalized anxiety disorder and neurasthenia compared with medazepam. Neuroscience and Behavioral Physiology (2008). PubMed abstract record.
   https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18454096/

4. Uchakina ON, et al. Immunomodulatory effects of Selank in patients with generalized anxiety disorder and neurasthenia, cytokine balance findings. Neuroscience and Behavioral Physiology (2008). PubMed abstract record.
   https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18577961/

5. Kozlovskaya MM, et al. Selank and short peptides of the tuftsin family in experimental pharmacology, tuftsin analog context. Bulletin of Experimental Biology and Medicine (2003). PubMed abstract record.
   https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/14969422/

6. Filatova E, et al. GABA, Selank, and olanzapine affect expression of genes involved in GABA related neurotransmission in IMR 32 cells. Frontiers in Pharmacology (2017).
   https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28293190/
   Full text
   https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/pharmacology/articles/10.3389/fphar.2017.00089/full

7. Konstantinopolsky MA, et al. Selank, a tuftsin analog, in a naloxone precipitated morphine withdrawal model in rats. Bulletin of Experimental Biology and Medicine (2022). PubMed abstract record.
   https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36322304/