Thymosin α
1 is a
peptide fragment derived from prothymosin alpha, a
protein
Proteins are large biomolecules and macromolecules that comprise one or more long chains of amino acid residues. Proteins perform a vast array of functions within organisms, including catalysing metabolic reactions, DNA replication, res ...
that in humans is encoded by the ''PTMA''
gene
In biology, the word gene (from , ; "... Wilhelm Johannsen coined the word gene to describe the Mendelian units of heredity..." meaning ''generation'' or ''birth'' or ''gender'') can have several different meanings. The Mendelian gene is a b ...
.
It was the first of the peptides from Thymosin Fraction 5 to be completely sequenced and synthesized. Unlike β thymosins, to which it is genetically and chemically unrelated, thymosin α
1 is produced as a 28-amino acid fragment, from a longer, 113-amino acid precursor, prothymosin α.
Function
Thymosin α
1 is believed to be a major component of Thymosin Fraction 5 responsible for the activity of that preparation in restoring immune function in animals lacking thymus glands. It has been found to enhance cell-mediated immunity in humans as well as experimental animals.
Therapeutic application
Thymosin α
1 is approved in 35 under-developed or developing countries for the treatment of
Hepatitis B and C, and it is also used to boost the immune response in the treatment of other diseases.
Clinical studies
Clinical trials suggest it may be useful in cystic fibrosis,
septic shock,
acute respiratory distress syndrome,
peritonitis
Peritonitis is inflammation of the localized or generalized peritoneum, the lining of the inner wall of the abdomen and cover of the abdominal organs. Symptoms may include severe pain, swelling of the abdomen, fever, or weight loss. One part o ...
,
acute cytomegalovirus infection,
TB,
severe acute respiratory syndrome
Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) is a viral respiratory disease of zoonotic origin caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV or SARS-CoV-1), the first identified strain of the SARS coronavirus species, ''sev ...
, and lung infections in critically ill patients.,
[ and for ]chronic hepatitis B
Hepatitis B is an infectious disease caused by the ''Hepatitis B virus'' (HBV) that affects the liver; it is a type of viral hepatitis. It can cause both acute and chronic infection.
Many people have no symptoms during an initial infection. For ...
.
See also
* Thymosins
References
Further reading
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Thymosin alpha1
Hormones of the thymus gland
Peptides