Selank is a synthetic heptapeptide analogue of tuftsin, the naturally occurring immunomodulatory tetrapeptide fragment of the IgG heavy chain. AminoOptimization Group supplies it as a lyophilised research powder in a 10 mg presentation, tested to 99% purity by HPLC, with a Certificate of Analysis available for the lot supplied. This material is offered strictly for laboratory research use. It is not a drug, and it is not for human or veterinary use.
What is Selank?
Selank carries the sequence Thr-Lys-Pro-Arg-Pro-Gly-Pro. The first four residues, Thr-Lys-Pro-Arg, are native tuftsin itself; the remaining three, Pro-Gly-Pro, are a synthetic C-terminal extension added by the group at the Institute of Molecular Genetics that first described the compound. Native tuftsin is cleaved rapidly by circulating peptidases, which limits its usefulness as a stable experimental tool. The Pro-Gly-Pro addition is described in the originating literature as conferring resistance to that proteolytic degradation, giving researchers a longer-lived molecule built on the same core sequence.
This design strategy — extending a short bioactive sequence with a stabilising Pro-Gly-Pro tail — is not unique to Selank. Semax, a heptapeptide analogue of ACTH(4-10) developed by the same research lineage, uses an identical C-terminal extension on an unrelated parent sequence. The two compounds are structurally distinct and act on different biological substrates, but researchers working with one frequently encounter the other because of this shared design principle and shared institutional origin.
A further point of interest in the literature is that the Pro-Gly-Pro tripeptide released when Selank is cleaved is not simply a discard product. It is examined in some published work as a bioactive species in its own right, independent of the parent heptapeptide, which has led researchers to treat degradation of the compound as a variable worth controlling for rather than an inert endpoint.
Specifications
- Compound: Selank
- CAS number: 129954-34-3
- Molecular formula: C33H57N11O9
- Molecular weight: 751.9 g/mol
- Purity: 99% by HPLC
- Presentation: Lyophilised powder, sealed vial
- Available sizes: 10 mg
- Physical form: White to off-white powder
- Classification: Research peptide — not for human or veterinary use
Research context
Because Selank shares its N-terminal sequence with tuftsin, a portion of the published literature considers it alongside the same regulatory pathways studied for the parent tetrapeptide, including interactions with peptidases involved in the turnover of endogenous enkephalins. Other work has examined the compound’s effect on the expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor mRNA and on the turnover of serotonin and dopamine in rodent brain tissue, using it as a tool to probe monoaminergic signalling pathways rather than as a candidate treatment.
A separate strand of research places Selank in anxiety-related behavioural assays in rodent models, such as elevated plus-maze and open-field paradigms, where it is used to investigate how modulation of these pathways corresponds to measurable changes in model-system behaviour. As noted above, the Pro-Gly-Pro fragment generated on proteolysis is also studied independently, and some experimental designs explicitly control for its formation when interpreting results attributed to the intact heptapeptide.
None of this literature establishes safety or efficacy for use in humans. It is provided as research context only.
Reconstitution
Lyophilised peptide requires reconstitution with a suitable sterile diluent before use in solution. Bacteriostatic water is the diluent most commonly specified for multi-use laboratory preparations; sterile water is typical for single-use work.
Direct the diluent stream against the inner wall of the vial rather than onto the powder itself, and allow the material to dissolve without agitation. Peptides are susceptible to shear stress — do not shake the vial. Swirl gently if needed, and expect full dissolution within a few minutes at room temperature.
Working concentration is a function of how much diluent you add to a given vial mass. Our peptide reconstitution calculator computes the resulting concentration for any combination of vial size and diluent volume.
Storage and stability
Before reconstitution: store the sealed vial in a freezer at -20 °C, protected from light. Lyophilised peptide is comparatively stable in this state. Brief excursions to ambient temperature during shipping are normal and are not expected to compromise a properly lyophilised product.
After reconstitution: refrigerate at 2–8 °C and protect from light. Reconstituted peptide in solution is materially less stable than the dry powder, and the Pro-Gly-Pro-extended structure of Selank does not exempt it from the freeze-thaw sensitivity documented across this peptide class. Avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles — aliquot instead if repeated sampling is required.
Inspect solutions before use. Cloudiness, visible particulate, or discolouration indicate the material should not be relied upon for quantitative work.
Certificate of Analysis
Every lot is tested by high-performance liquid chromatography, and the purity figure shown above refers to analytical results for the specific lot supplied — not to a generic specification. A Certificate of Analysis is available on request, and we will provide lot-specific documentation before purchase if your protocol requires it.
Purity by HPLC describes the proportion of the target peptide relative to detectable related substances. It is a statement about the material as manufactured and tested. It is expressly not a representation that the material is suitable for any use in humans or animals.
Handling and safety
Handle in accordance with good laboratory practice. Use appropriate personal protective equipment, work in a suitable containment environment, and dispose of material and consumables according to your institution’s requirements and applicable local regulation. Anyone with access to this material should understand that it is not for human or veterinary use.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between Selank and native tuftsin?
Selank consists of the tuftsin sequence, Thr-Lys-Pro-Arg, extended at the C-terminus with an additional Pro-Gly-Pro tripeptide. Published work describes this extension as conferring resistance to the proteolytic cleavage that limits the stability of native tuftsin in enzymatic assays.
Is Selank approved in Canada?
No. This compound has not been evaluated or authorised by Health Canada, the FDA, or any comparable regulatory authority. It carries no DIN or NPN, its safety and efficacy for human use have not been assessed, and it is supplied for laboratory research only.
How much diluent should be used for a 10 mg vial?
That depends on the working concentration your protocol requires. Use the reconstitution calculator to work out the resulting concentration for your vial size.
How long is reconstituted Selank stable in solution?
Stability in solution is shorter than in lyophilised form and depends on diluent, temperature, and handling. Refrigerate at 2–8 °C, protect from light, avoid freeze-thaw cycling, and validate stability for your own storage conditions if your work depends on it.
Do you provide a Certificate of Analysis?
Yes — lot-specific, available on request, including before purchase.
Research use only
This product is supplied solely for laboratory and scientific research. It is not a drug, food, cosmetic, or medical device, and it must not be administered to humans or animals. Nothing on this page is medical advice or a therapeutic claim. Full terms are set out in our Research Use Only Disclaimer.
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