Selank — Tuftsin-Derived GABAergic Anxiolytic Research Peptide
Selank (Thr-Lys-Pro-Arg-Pro-Gly-Pro) is a synthetic heptapeptide analogue of tuftsin — a naturally occurring immunomodulatory tetrapeptide — with an additional C-terminal Pro-Gly-Pro extension that significantly enhances resistance to enzymatic degradation. Researchers in neuropharmacology, anxiety biology, and neuroimmunology use this Selank research peptide to investigate GABAergic pathway modulation, enkephalin metabolism regulation, and the neuroimmunomodulatory axis in preclinical and cell-based experimental systems. Furthermore, its well-characterized stability and dual CNS/immune activity profile establish it as an important tool compound for cognitive and neurological research.
Mechanism of Action
GABAergic modulation — Selank modulates GABA-A receptor function and benzodiazepine binding site activity, enhancing GABAergic inhibitory tone in CNS models. Consequently, it produces anxiolytic-like effects in preclinical behavioral models without the sedative or dependence-associated effects of direct benzodiazepine agonists.
Enkephalin-degrading enzyme inhibition — Selank inhibits enkephalin-degrading enzymes including neprilysin and aminopeptidase N. As a result, it prolongs the biological activity of endogenous opioid peptides including met-enkephalin and leu-enkephalin. Therefore, researchers studying endogenous opioid peptide metabolism specifically use Selank as a pharmacological enzyme inhibition tool.
Immunomodulatory activity — Consistent with its tuftsin origin, Selank modulates immune system activity, including regulation of IL-6, interferon gamma, and other cytokine networks. Additionally, it influences T-lymphocyte activity and phagocyte function — providing a mechanistic bridge between CNS anxiolytic research and neuroimmunology.
Key Research Applications
- GABAergic pharmacology research — Studies examining Selank modulation of GABA-A receptor subtypes and benzodiazepine binding site pharmacology.
- Enkephalin metabolism research — Investigation of neprilysin and aminopeptidase N inhibition by Selank and downstream effects on enkephalin half-life and opioid receptor activation.
- Anxiety pathway research — Preclinical behavioral and cellular models examining anxiolytic mechanisms through GABAergic and opioidergic pathway modulation.
- Neuroimmunology research — Studies examining cytokine regulation, lymphocyte activity, and the neuroimmunomodulatory effects of Selank in combined CNS-immune research models.
- Cognitive modulation research — Investigation of Selank effects on attention, memory consolidation, and learning in preclinical cognitive research models.
Peptide Profile
| Parameter | Detail |
|---|---|
| Common Name | Selank |
| Derived From | Tuftsin (Thr-Lys-Pro-Arg) + Pro-Gly-Pro extension |
| Key Mechanisms | GABA-A modulation, enkephalin enzyme inhibition, cytokine regulation |
| Molecular Weight | ~863 Da |
| Form | Lyophilized powder |
| Purity | ≥98% (HPLC verified) |
| Available Sizes | 5mg, 10mg |
| Storage | −20°C (lyophilized); 4°C (reconstituted) |
| Reconstitution | Sterile bacteriostatic water |
Reconstitution & Storage
Reconstitute with sterile bacteriostatic water. Add solvent slowly along the vial wall and swirl gently. Store lyophilized vials at −20°C. Once reconstituted, maintain at 4°C and use within 28 days. Avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles.
For research use only. Not intended for human or veterinary administration.
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