What Is Selank?
Quick Answer
Overview Selank (TP-7) is a synthetic heptapeptide with the sequence Thr-Lys-Pro-Arg-Pro-Gly-Pro (TKPRPGP). It was developed by the Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Russian Academy of Sciences in cooperation with the V.V. Zakusov Research Institute of Pharmacology.[2] Selank is derived from tu...
Overview
Selank (TP-7) is a synthetic heptapeptide with the sequence Thr-Lys-Pro-Arg-Pro-Gly-Pro (TKPRPGP). It was developed by the Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Russian Academy of Sciences in cooperation with the V.V. Zakusov Research Institute of Pharmacology.[2]
Selank is derived from tuftsin (Thr-Lys-Pro-Arg), a naturally occurring tetrapeptide that constitutes a fragment of the heavy chain of human immunoglobulin G (IgG). The C-terminal Pro-Gly-Pro extension renders the molecule significantly more resistant to peptidase hydrolysis.[1]
In experimental contexts, Selank exhibits anxiolytic and nootropic effects comparable to classical benzodiazepines (such as diazepam) but without their characteristic negative observations — sedation, muscle relaxation, amnesia, dependence, or withdrawal syndrome.[5][6]
Regulatory records in the Russian Federation cite Selank's registration for research related to generalized anxiety disorders and neurasthenia.[3] It is not registered by the U.S. FDA, which has raised immunogenicity concerns related to compounding.[4] A notable pharmacokinetic feature is its exceptional intranasal bioavailability of 92.8% — rare for a peptide compound.[7]
References
- Kolomin TA, Shadrina M, Slominsky P, Limborska SA, Myasoedov NF. A New Generation of Drugs: Synthetic Peptides Based on Natural Regulatory Peptides. Neuroscience & Medicine. 2013;4(4):223–252.
- Vyunova TV, Andreeva LA, Shevchenko KV, Myasoedov NF. Peptide-based Anxiolytics: The Molecular Aspects of Heptapeptide Selank Biological Activity. Protein & Peptide Letters. 2018;25(10):914–923.
- Medvedev VE, Tereshchenko ON, Kost NV, et al. Optimization of the treatment of anxiety disorders with selank. Zhurnal Nevrologii i Psikhiatrii. 2015;115(6):33–40.
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Bulk Drug Substances Used in Compounding Under Section 503B. FDA Compounding Database. 2023.
- Zozulya AA, Neznamov GG, Syunyakov TS, et al. Efficacy and possible mechanisms of action of a new peptide anxiolytic selank in the therapy of generalized anxiety disorders and neurasthenia. Zhurnal Nevropatologii i Psikhiatrii. 2008;108(4):38–48.
- Kozlovskii II, Danchev ND. The optimizing action of the synthetic peptide Selank on a conditioned active avoidance reflex in rats. Neuroscience and Behavioral Physiology. 2003;33(7):639–643.
- Kolomin TA, Agapova T, Agniullin YV, et al. Changes in the Transcription Profile of the Hippocampus in Response to Administration of the Tuftsin Analog Selank. Neuroscience and Behavioral Physiology. 2014;44(8):849–855.
- V'yunova TV, Andreeva LA, Shevchenko KV, et al. Peptide regulation of specific ligand-receptor interactions of GABA with the plasma membranes of nerve cells. Neurochemical Journal. 2014;8(4):259–264.
- Volkova A, Shadrina M, Kolomin T, et al. Selank Administration Affects the Expression of Some Genes Involved in GABAergic Neurotransmission. Frontiers in Pharmacology. 2016;7:31.
- Kost NV, Sokolov OY, Gabaeva MV, et al. Semax and Selank Inhibit the Enkephalin-Degrading Enzymes of Human Serum. Russian Journal of Bioorganic Chemistry. 2001;27(3):180–183.
- Zozulya AA, Kost NV, Sokolov OY, et al. The Inhibitory Effect of Selank on Enkephalin-Degrading Enzymes as a Possible Mechanism of Its Anxiolytic Activity. Bull Exp Biol Med. 2001;131(4):315–317.
- Inozemtseva LS, Karpenko EA, Dolotov OV, et al. Intranasal administration of the peptide Selank regulates BDNF expression in the rat hippocampus in vivo. Doklady Biological Sciences. 2008;421:241–243.
- Narkevich VB, Kudrin VS, Klodt PM, et al. Effects of Selank on monoamine neurotransmitters in the brain of BALB/c and C57BL/6 mice. Bull Exp Biol Med. 2008;145(1):68–71.
- Uchakina ON, Uchakin PN, Miasoedov NF, et al. Immunomodulatory effects of selank in patients with anxiety-asthenic disorders. Zhurnal Nevrologii i Psikhiatrii. 2008;108(5):71–75.
- Kozlovskii II, Andreeva LA, Kozlovskaya MM. The role of the endogenous opioid system in the anxiolytic action of Selank. Bull Exp Biol Med. 2012;153(5):728–730.
- Kolik LG, Nadorova AV, Kozlovskaya MM. Efficacy of Peptide Anxiolytic Selank during Modeling of Withdrawal Syndrome in Rats with Stable Alcoholic Motivation. Bull Exp Biol Med. 2014;157(1):61–65.
- Konstantinopolsky MA, Kolik LG, Chernyakova IV. Selank, a Peptide Analog of Tuftsin, Attenuates Aversive Signs of Morphine Withdrawal in Rats. Bull Exp Biol Med. 2022;173(6):730–733.
- Mukhina AY, et al. Effects of Selank on intestinal microbiota and stress-induced changes. Russian Journal of Physiology. 2019/2020.
- Kasian A, Kolomin T, Andreeva L, et al. Peptide Selank Enhances the Effect of Diazepam in Reducing Anxiety in Unpredictable Chronic Mild Stress Conditions in Rats. Behavioural Neurology. 2017;2017:5091027.
- Kolik LG, Nadorova AV, Antipova TA, Durnev AD. Selank, Peptide Analogue of Tuftsin, Protects Against Ethanol-Induced Memory Impairment by Regulating of BDNF Content. Bull Exp Biol Med. 2019;167(5):641–644.
- Medvedev VE, Tereshchenko ON, Israelian AI, et al. A comparison of the anxiolytic effect and tolerability of selank and phenazepam. Zhurnal Nevrologii i Psikhiatrii. 2014;114(7):17–22.
- Semenova TP, Kozlovskii II, Zakharova NM, Kozlovskaya MM. Experimental optimization of learning and memory processes by selank. Eksperimental'naia i Klinicheskaia Farmakologiia. 2010;73(8):2–5.
- Filatova E, Kasian A, Kolomin T, et al. GABA, Selank, and Olanzapine Affect the Expression of Genes Involved in GABAergic Neurotransmission in IMR-32 Cells. Frontiers in Pharmacology. 2017;8:89.
- Kolomin TA, Shadrina M, Andreeva LA, et al. Expression of inflammation-related genes in mouse spleen under tuftsin analog Selank. Regulatory Peptides. 2011;170(1-3):18–23.
- Andreeva LA, Nagaev IY, Mezentseva MV, et al. Antiviral properties of structural fragments of the peptide Selank. Doklady Biological Sciences. 2010;431:79–82.
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