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Selank | CAS: 129954-34-3

CAS Number:
129954-34-3
Chemical Classification:
Research peptide

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Selank (CAS 129954-34-3) is a heptapeptide anxiolytic research candidate derived from tuftsin, studied in cognitive neuroscience for GABAergic modulation and stress-response pathways. Behavioral endpoints—elevated plus maze, conditioned fear, social interaction—vary substantially in sensitivity and translatability across rodent strains and handling protocols. Experimental applications include acute intranasal delivery with corticosterone sampling, hippocampal slice LTP recordings after bath application, and transcriptomic profiling of amygdalar tissue. Material ships with COA, LC-MS, HPLC, and NMR verification for laboratory research only.

CAS
129954-34-3
Molecular Formula
C33H57N11O9
Molecular Weight
751.9 g/mol
Purity
≥98%
Appearance
White lyophilized powder
Storage
Store at -20°C

Analytical Documentation

COA✓ Available
LC-MS✓ Available
HPLC✓ Available
NMR✓ Available

Research Inquiry

Overview

Selank is a synthetic heptapeptide analog of tuftsin, an immunomodulatory tetrapeptide Thr-Lys-Pro-Arg, extended with Pro-Gly-Pro to enhance stability and blood-brain barrier penetration in neuroscience research. Developed in Russian academic pharmacology programs, selank serves as a research tool for studying anxiolytic-like behavioral phenotypes, BDNF expression, and monoamine metabolism in rodent models without benzodiazepine receptor agonism. The peptide modulates enkephalin degradation and cytokine profiles in stress research paradigms. Selank enables controlled investigation of neuropeptide signaling in amygdala, hippocampus, and prefrontal cortex circuits under laboratory conditions focused on cognitive neuroscience and neuropharmacology. Supplied at ≥98% purity (C33H57N11O9; 751.9 g/mol), this material supports controlled laboratory investigation under research-use-only conditions.

Mechanism of Action

Selank inhibits enkephalinase activity, increasing Met-enkephalin and Leu-enkephalin levels in rodent brain tissue extracts in research studies. BDNF upregulation in hippocampus accompanies chronic administration schedules in animal behavioral models. Selank modulates GABAergic and serotonergic tone indirectly through gene expression changes rather than direct GABA-A receptor binding at benzodiazepine sites. Anti-inflammatory cytokine shifts including IL-6 reduction appear in stress challenge experiments. The peptide does not produce sedation typical of GABA-A positive allosteric modulators in standard open field research assays at comparable doses.

Receptor Binding & Signaling

Selank does not bind benzodiazepine sites on GABA-A receptors in standard displacement assays. Tuftsin receptor (unknown identity) and enkephalinergic pathways mediate effects indirectly. No high-affinity melanocortin or dopamine receptor engagement reported at research concentrations. Mechanism is primarily peptidase modulation and neuromodulatory gene expression.

Research Applications

Anxiety-like behavior and stress models

Elevated plus maze, open field, and forced swim tests in rodents use selank to quantify anxiolytic-like behavior without motor impairment controls. Restraint stress and chronic mild stress protocols pair peptide administration with corticosterone measurement. Research advances neuropeptide psychopharmacology in preclinical settings.

BDNF and synaptic plasticity studies

Hippocampal slice electrophysiology and LTP induction experiments examine selank effects on BDNF-TrkB signaling. Western blot and qPCR track BDNF, synapsin, and PSD-95 expression. Selank supports neurotrophin pathway research in cognitive neuroscience laboratories.

Enkephalinergic pathway biochemistry

Brain homogenate enkephalinase activity assays and enkephalin level quantification validate proposed mechanism after selank exposure in research animals. Enkephalinase inhibitors serve as comparators. Studies map opioid peptide turnover in stress research.

Immune-neuroendocrine interaction models

Selank modulates cytokine profiles in lipopolysaccharide challenge and social defeat stress rodent research. Flow cytometry and ELISA measure IL-6, TNF-alpha, and related mediators. Platforms explore brain-immune axis neuropeptide regulation.

Molecular Information

Sequence & Chain Summary

Thr-Lys-Pro-Arg-Pro-Gly-Pro (Tuftsin plus Pro-Gly-Pro extension).

Modification Type

Unmodified heptapeptide sequence.

Structural Notes

Selank is a 751.9 g/mol linear peptide synthesized by SPPS with HPLC purification. Pro-Gly-Pro C-terminal extension mimics stability strategies used in semax. Aqueous solubility supports intranasal or systemic administration routes in rodent research per IACUC protocols. Batch-specific molecular characterization—including mass confirmation and purity profiling—is available through COA, LC-MS, HPLC, and NMR documentation supplied with Selank.

Molecular Formula
C33H57N11O9
Molecular Weight
751.9 g/mol
Purity Specification
≥98%

Experimental Notes

Stability

Lyophilized selank stable at −20°C. Reconstituted solutions degrade at room temperature over hours; refrigerate or freeze aliquots. Avoid repeated freeze-thaw for behavioral study consistency across cohort days. Lyophilized Selank should be protected from repeated freeze-thaw cycles, moisture, and prolonged exposure to ambient light where applicable. Analytical integrity is best preserved when material is stored under the conditions specified on the certificate of analysis.

Storage Conditions

Store at -20°C. Selank is supplied as white lyophilized powder. For long-term archival storage in research inventories, maintain sealed containers with desiccant where recommended and document lot numbers for traceability across experimental runs.

Laboratory Handling

Reconstitute in sterile saline for research administration routes approved by institutional animal protocols. Use fresh aliquots for electrophysiology where peptide integrity is critical. Document dose in mcg/kg for reproducibility. Reconstitute only with appropriate research-grade solvents compatible with your assay format. Allow vials to reach equilibrium before opening, work under clean bench conditions, and label all working solutions with concentration, date, and researcher ID per institutional SOPs.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Research-focused answers about Selank. For laboratory use only — not medical advice.

What is Selank used for in research?
Selank is for cognitive neuroscience and neuropharmacology research in qualified laboratories. Not for human anxiolytic use, self-administration, or clinical psychiatric treatment.
How does Selank work biologically?
Selank modulates enkephalin turnover and BDNF expression in brain research models, producing anxiolytic-like behavioral phenotypes without benzodiazepine receptor agonism in standard rodent assays.
What receptors does Selank interact with?
No benzodiazepine or GABA-A direct binding; effects involve enkephalinergic modulation and neuromodulatory gene expression. Tuftsin-related pathways implicated without a single defined GPCR target.
Is Selank stable at room temperature?
Lyophilized selank stable at −20°C. Reconstituted solutions degrade at room temperature over hours; refrigerate or freeze aliquots. Avoid repeated freeze-thaw for behavioral study consistency across cohort days. For short-term laboratory workflows, minimize time at room temperature and return unused material to recommended storage promptly. Selank is not formulated for ambient long-term storage.
What is the recommended storage condition for Selank?
Store at -20°C. Store lyophilized material in a dedicated −20°C freezer, protect from moisture ingress, and avoid repeated temperature cycling. Reconstituted solutions should be aliquoted and frozen if not used within the validated window of your internal stability study.