Enkephalinase raises a handful of sensible questions. This page answers them in order, starting with the fundamentals and moving to applications.
Reviewed 2025-10-27. Anything still debated is marked as such rather than presented as settled.
Selank is a synthetic heptapeptide developed in Russia as a structural analogue of tuftsin, a naturally occurring immunomodulatory tetrapeptide. Its sequence, Thr-Lys-Pro-Arg-Pro-Gly-Pro, keeps the tuftsin core at the N-terminus and appends a Pro-Gly-Pro tail. Researchers at the Institute of Molecular Genetics in Moscow synthesized the compound during the 1990s while searching for peptides with combined anxiolytic and immunomodulatory activity. The added tail was intended to resist enzymatic cleavage and prolong the molecule's presence in circulation.
The compound has a calculated molecular weight near 751.9 daltons and carries a net positive charge at physiological pH because of its arginine residue. It dissolves freely in water and in common aqueous buffers, and typically appears as a white or off-white lyophilized powder. The amide backbone makes the molecule susceptible to peptidases, which limits oral use and favors intranasal or parenteral routes. Nomenclature in the literature varies: the substance is also described by the sequence abbreviation TP-7 and by a Russian trade designation.
Most published work on selank originates from a small number of research groups in the Russian Federation. A large share of that record appears in Russian-language journals, which limits access for readers who rely on English-indexed databases. Independent replication by laboratories outside the original research network is sparse in publicly available sources. This concentration of origin and language is a frequently noted feature when the compound is summarized in broader reviews of synthetic peptides.
Reported pharmacological effects center on reduced anxiety-like behavior in animal models and on measures of memory and learning. Proposed contributing mechanisms include modulation of GABAergic signaling, shifts in monoamine turnover, and changes in the activity of enzymes that degrade neuropeptides. Effects on the expression of genes linked to neuroplasticity have also been described. No single molecular target is widely accepted, and whether the behavioral findings arise from one pathway or several remains an open question.
| Property | Value | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Chemical class | Synthetic heptapeptide | Analog of the tetrapeptide tuftsin |
| Sequence | Thr-Lys-Pro-Arg-Pro-Gly-Pro | Reported consistently across pharmacopoeial descriptions |
| Appearance | White to off-white lyophilized powder | Typical form of research-grade material |
| Solubility | Freely soluble in water | Aqueous buffers; poor in nonpolar solvents |
| Typical storage temperature | -20 degrees Celsius | Lyophilized powder; protect from moisture |
Selank is a synthetic heptapeptide with the sequence Thr-Lys-Pro-Arg-Pro-Gly-Pro. It was designed at the Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Russian Academy of Sciences as a structural analogue of tuftsin, a naturally occurring tetrapeptide fragment of the immunoglobulin heavy chain. The added Pro-Gly-Pro tail was intended to slow enzymatic degradation and extend biological activity. In Russia it is registered as an anxiolytic nasal preparation, while regulators elsewhere have not approved it for clinical use.
Proposed mechanisms centre on modulation of the GABAergic system, with reports of altered expression of genes related to GABA-A receptor subunits and changed monoamine turnover. Some studies describe inhibition of enkephalinase, the enzyme that degrades endogenous enkephalins, which may prolong opioid peptide signalling. Effects on brain-derived neurotrophic factor and on cytokine expression have also been reported. These findings come largely from animal models and small human studies, and the precise primary target remains unresolved.
Published clinical evidence is limited. Most controlled trials were conducted in Russia, enrolled modest numbers of participants, and appeared in Russian-language journals, which restricts independent verification. Reported outcomes include lower anxiety scores, improved attention and memory measures, and changes in fatigue ratings. Reviews written in English note methodological limitations such as small samples and inconsistent endpoints. Whether the compound produces clinically meaningful benefit relative to established anxiolytics is therefore an open question rather than an established finding.
Animal studies have examined behaviour in tests of anxiety, memory retention and stress response, and several report changes in neurotrophic or neurotransmitter-related markers. The human evidence base is much smaller, consisting mainly of short trials conducted in Russia with limited reporting in English-language journals. Sample sizes are modest and outcome measures vary between studies, so the findings are best described as preliminary. Independent replication under modern trial standards has not been widely reported.
Outside its country of origin the compound is generally handled as a research chemical rather than an approved medicine. No regulatory approval from the United States Food and Drug Administration or the European Medicines Agency has been granted for human use. Identity and purity are normally checked by reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography, with mass spectrometry used to confirm the molecular mass. Lyophilised material is stored cold and desiccated, and repeated freeze-thaw cycles are avoided.
Published work on this peptide almost always uses intranasal delivery, with drops or a spray applied to the nasal mucosa. Some animal experiments have used subcutaneous or intraperitoneal injection, and a smaller number have compared routes directly. Oral administration is not a focus of the literature, because short peptides of this size are broken down by digestive enzymes and cross intestinal barriers poorly. How much of an intranasal dose reaches the bloodstream intact in humans remains an open question.
=== Cell-free systems === E. coli cell lysate containing the cellular components required for transcription and translation are used in this in vitro method of protein production. The advantage of such system is that protein may be produced much faster than those produced in vivo since it does not require time to culture the cells, but it is also more expensive. Vectors used for E. coli expression can be used in this system although specifically designed vectors for this system are also available. Eukaryotic cell extracts may also be used in other cell-free systems, for example, the wheat germ cell-free expression systems. Mammalian cell-free systems have also been produced.
When testing urine for ketones, the sample needs to be as fresh as possible. Ketones evaporate quickly, so there is a chance of getting a false negative test result if testing older urine. The urine testing strip bottle has instructions and color charts to illustrate how the color on the strip will change given the level of ketones or glucose in the urine over 15 (ketones–Ketostix) or 30 (glucose–Ketodiastix) seconds. Reading the colors at those time intervals is important because the colors will continue to darken and a later reading will be an incorrect result. Timing with a clock or watch second hand instead of counting is more accurate. At present, there is only one glucometer available for home use that tests blood for ketones using special strips for that purpose–Abbott's Precision Xtra. This meter is known as Precision, Optium, or Xceed outside of the US. The blood ketone test strips are very expensive; prices start at about US$50 for ten strips. It is most likely urine test strips–either ones that test only for ketones or ones that test for both glucose and ketones in urine would be used. The table above is a guide to when ketones may be present.
=== EC 1.3.1 With NAD+ or NADP+ as acceptor === EC 1.3.1.1: dihydrouracil dehydrogenase (NAD+) EC 1.3.1.2: dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase (NADP+) EC 1.3.1.3: Δ4-3-oxosteroid 5β-reductase EC 1.3.1.4: transferred to EC 1.3.1.22, 3-oxo-5α-steroid 4-dehydrogenase (NADP+) EC 1.3.1.5: cucurbitacin Δ23-reductase EC 1.3.1.6: fumarate reductase (NADH) EC 1.3.1.7: meso-tartrate dehydrogenase EC 1.3.1.8: acyl-CoA dehydrogenase (NADP+) EC 1.3.1.9: enoyl-[acyl-carrier-protein] reductase (NADH) EC 1.3.1.10: enoyl-[acyl-carrier-protein] reductase (NADPH, Si-specific) EC 1.3.1.11: 2-coumarate reductase EC 1.3.1.12: prephenate dehydrogenase EC 1.3.1.13: prephenate dehydrogenase (NADP+) EC 1.3.1.14: dihydroorotate dehydrogenase (NAD+) EC 1.3.1.15: dihydroorotate dehydrogenase (NADP+) EC 1.3.1.16: β-nitroacrylate reductase EC 1.3.1.17: 3-methyleneoxindole reductase EC 1.3.1.18: kynurenate-7,8-dihydrodiol dehydrogenase EC 1.3.1.19: cis-1,2-dihydrobenzene-1,2-diol dehydrogenase EC 1.3.1.20: trans-1,2-dihydrobenzene-1,2-diol dehydrogenase EC 1.3.1.21: 7-dehydrocholesterol reductase EC 1.3.1.22: 3-oxo-5α-steroid 4-dehydrogenase (NADP+) EC 1.3.1.23: Identical to EC 1.3.1.3, Δ4-3-oxosteroid 5β-reductase EC 1.3.1.24: biliverdin reductase EC 1.3.1.25: 1,6-dihydroxycyclohexa-2,4-diene-1-carboxylate dehydrogenase EC 1.3.1.26: Now EC 1.17.1.8, 4-hydroxy-tetrahydrodipicolinate reductase EC 1.3.1.27: 2-hexadecenal reductase EC 1.3.1.28: 2,3-dihydro-2,3-dihydroxybenzoate dehydrogenase EC 1.3.1.29: cis-1,2-dihydro-1,2-dihydroxynaphthalene dehydrogenase EC 1.3.1.30: transferred to EC 1.3.1.22, 3-oxo-5α-steroid 4-dehydrogenase (NADP+) EC 1.3.1.31: 2-enoate reductase EC 1.3.1.32: maleylacetate reductase EC 1.3.1.33: protochlorophyllide reductase EC 1.3.1.34: 2,4 Dienoyl-CoA reductase (NADPH) EC 1.3.1.35: Now EC 1.14.19.22, microsomal oleoyl-lipid 12-desaturase EC 1.3.1.36: geissoschizine dehydrogenase EC 1.3.1.37: cis-2-enoyl-CoA reductase (NADPH) EC 1.3.1.38: trans-2-enoyl-CoA reductase (NADPH) EC 1.3.1.39: trans-2-enoyl-CoA reductase (NADPH) EC 1.3.1.40: 2-hydroxy-6-oxo-6-phenylhexa-2,4-dienoate reductase EC 1.3.1.41: xanthommatin reductase EC 1.3.1.42: 12-oxophytodienoate reductase EC 1.3.1.43: arogenate dehydrogenase EC 1.3.1.44: trans-2-enoyl-CoA reductase (NAD+) EC 1.3.1.45: 2′-hydroxyisoflavone reductase EC 1.3.1.46: biochanin-A reductase EC 1.3.1.47: α-santonin 1,2-reductase EC 1.3.1.48: 13,14-dehydro-15-oxoprostaglandin 13-reductase EC 1.3.1.49: cis-3,4-dihydrophenanthrene-3,4-diol dehydrogenase EC 1.3.1.50: n Now EC 1.1.1.252 tetrahydroxynaphthalene reductase EC 1.3.1.51: 2′-hydroxydaidzein reductase EC 1.3.1.52: Now EC 1.3.8.5, 2-methyl-branched-chain-enoyl-CoA reductase EC 1.3.1.53: (3S,4R)-3,4-dihydroxycyclohexa-1,5-diene-1,4-dicarboxylate dehydrogenase EC 1.3.1.54: precorrin-6A reductase EC 1.3.1.55: identical to EC 1.3.1.25, 1,6-dihydroxycyclohexa-2,4-diene-1-carboxylate dehydrogenase EC 1.3.1.56: cis-2,3-dihydrobiphenyl-2,3-diol dehydrogenase EC 1.3.1.57: phloroglucinol reductase EC 1.3.1.58: 2,3-dihydroxy-2,3-dihydro-p-cumate dehydrogenase EC 1.3.1.59: There is no evidence that the enzyme exists EC 1.3.1.60: dibenzothiophene dihydrodiol dehydrogenase EC 1.3.1.61: identical to EC 1.3.1.53, (3S,4R)-3,4-dihydroxycyclohexa-1,5-diene-1,4-dicarboxylate dehydrogenase EC 1.3.1.62: pimeloyl-CoA dehydrogenase EC 1.3.1.63: Now EC 1.21.1.2, 2,4-dichlorobenzoyl-CoA reductase EC 1.3.1.64: phthalate 4,5-cis-dihydrodiol dehydrogenase EC 1.3.1.65: 5,6-dihydroxy-3-methyl-2-oxo-1,2,5,6-tetrahydroquinoline dehydrogenase EC 1.3.1.66: cis-dihydroethylcatechol dehydrogenase EC 1.3.1.67: cis-1,2-dihydroxy-4-methylcyclohexa-3,5-diene-1-carboxylate dehydrogenase EC 1.3.1.68: 1,2-dihydroxy-6-methylcyclohexa-3,5-dienecarboxylate dehydrogenase EC 1.3.1.69: zeatin reductase EC 1.3.1.70: Δ14-sterol reductase EC 1.3.1.71: Δ24(241)-sterol reductase EC 1.3.1.72: Δ24-sterol reductase EC 1.3.1.73: 1,2-dihydrovomilenine reductase EC 1.3.1.74: 2-alkenal reductase [NAD(P)+] EC 1.3.1.75: 3,8-divinyl protochlorophyllide a 8-vinyl-reductase (NADPH) EC 1.3.1.76: precorrin-2 dehydrogenase EC 1.3.1.77: anthocyanidin reductase [(2R,3R)-flavan-3-ol-forming] EC 1.3.1.78: arogenate dehydrogenase (NADP+) EC 1.3.1.79: arogenate dehydrogenase (NAD(P)+) EC 1.3.1.80: Now classified as EC 1.3.7.12, red chlorophyll catabolite reductase EC 1.3.1.81: (+)-pulegone reductase EC 1.3.1.82: (-)-isopiperitenone reductase EC 1.3.1.83: geranylgeranyl diphosphate reductase EC 1.3.1.84: acrylyl-CoA reductase (NADPH) EC 1.3.1.85: crotonyl-CoA carboxylase/reductase EC 1.3.1.86: crotonyl-CoA reductase EC 1.3.1.87: 3-(cis-5,6-dihydroxycyclohexa-1,3-dien-1-yl)propanoate dehydrogenase EC 1.3.1.88: tRNA-dihydrouridine16/17 synthase (NAD(P)+) EC 1.3.1.89: tRNA-dihydrouridine47 synthase (NAD(P)+) EC 1.3.1.90: tRNA-dihydrouridine20a/20b synthase (NAD(P)+) EC 1.3.1.91: tRNA-dihydrouridine20 synthase (NAD(P)+) EC 1.3.1.92: artemisinic aldehyde Δ11(13)-reductase EC 1.3.1.93: very-long-chain enoyl-CoA reductase EC 1.3.1.94: polyprenol reductase EC 1.3.1.95: acrylyl-CoA reductase (NADH) EC 1.3.1.96: Botryococcus squalene synthase EC 1.3.1.97: botryococcene synthase EC 1.3.1.98: Now known to be catalyzed by two different enzymes, EC 1.3.1.122, (S)-8-oxocitronellyl enol synthase, and EC 5.5.1.34, (+)-cis,trans-nepetalactol synthase EC 1.3.1.100: chanoclavine-I aldehyde reductase EC 1.3.1.101: 2,3-bis-O-geranylgeranyl-sn-glycerol 1-phosphate reductase [NAD(P)H] EC 1.3.1.102: 2-alkenal reductase (NADP+) EC 1.3.1.103: 2-haloacrylate reductase EC 1.3.1.104: enoyl-[acyl-carrier-protein] reductase (NADPH) EC 1.3.1.105: 2-methylene-furan-3-one reductase EC 1.3.1.106: cobalt-precorrin-6A reductase EC 1.3.1.107: sanguinarine reductase EC 1.3.1.108: caffeoyl-CoA reductase EC 1.3.1.109: butanoyl-CoA dehydrogenase complex (NAD+, ferredoxin) EC 1.3.1.110: lactate dehydrogenase (NAD+,ferredoxin) EC 1.3.1.111: geranylgeranyl-bacteriochlorophyllide a reductase EC 1.3.1.112: anthocyanidin reductase [(2S)-flavan-3-ol-forming] EC 1.3.1.113: (4-alkanoyl-5-oxo-2,5-dihydrofuran-3-yl)methyl phosphate reductase EC 1.3.1.114: 3-dehydro-bile acid Δ4,6-reductase EC 1.3.1.115: 3-oxocholoyl-CoA 4-desaturase EC 1.3.1.116: 7β-hydroxy-3-oxochol-24-oyl-CoA 4-desaturase EC 1.3.1.117: hydroxycinnamoyl-CoA reductase EC 1.3.1.118: meromycolic acid enoyl-[acyl-carrier-protein] reductase EC 1.3.1.119: chlorobenzene dihydrodiol dehydrogenase EC 1.3.1.120: cyclohexane-1-carbonyl-CoA reductase NADP+) EC 1.3.1.121: 4-amino-4-deoxyprephenate dehydrogenase EC 1.3.1.122: (S)-8-oxocitronellyl enol synthase EC 1.3.1.123: 8-oxogeranial reductase EC 1.3.1.124: 2,4-dienoyl-CoA reductase [(3E)-enoyl-CoA-producing]
=== Hard fibroma === The hard fibroma (fibroma durum) consists of many fibres and few cells, e.g. in skin it is called dermatofibroma (fibroma simplex or nodulus cutaneous). A special form is the keloid, which derives from hyperplastic growth of scars.
Sources: en.wikipedia.org
There were several terrorist attacks in Xinjiang in 2013 and 2014; an attack in Ürümqi in April 2014 occurred just after the conclusion of a visit by Xi to Xinjiang. Following these attacks, CCP leaders held a secret meeting to find a solution, leading to Xi to launch the Strike Hard Campaign Against Violent Terrorism in 2014, which involved mass detention, and surveillance of ethnic Uyghurs there. The campaign included the detainment of 1.8 million people in internment camps, mostly Uyghurs but also including other ethnic and religious minorities, by 2020, and a birth suppression campaign that led to a large drop in the Uyghur birth rate by 2019. Human rights groups and former inmates have said Uyghurs and other minorities have been forcibly assimilated into China's majority ethnic Han society in the camps. This program has been called a genocide by some observers, while a report by the UN Human Rights Office said they may amount to crimes against humanity.
=== Drosophila melanogaster === Flies lacking in FICD (CG9523) have been described as blind. Initially, this defect was attributed to a role for FICD on the cell surface of capitate projections - a putative site of neurotransmitter recycling however a later study implicated FICD-mediated AMPylation of BiP Thr366 in the visual problem
==== Indications ==== Nabilone, marketed under the brand name Cesamet®, is a synthetic form of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). It is used to treat chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting in cancer patients who fail to have sufficient response to conventional antiemetic treatments. It is also used to treat anorexia and weight loss in AIDS patients.
Sources: en.wikipedia.org
Dihexa (developmental code PNB-0408; also known as N-hexanoic-Tyr-Ile-(6) aminohexanoic amide) is an oligopeptide drug derived from angiotensin IV that binds with high affinity to hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and potentiates its activity at its receptor, c-Met. The compound has been found to potently improve cognitive function in animal models of Alzheimer's disease-like mental impairment. In an assay of neurotrophic activity, dihexa was found to be seven orders of magnitude more potent than brain-derived neurotrophic factor. According to a patent, "Short duration safety studies with dihexa have uncovered no apparent toxicity. Of particular note is a lack of neoplastic induction, since c-Met is recognized as an oncogene. This is unsurprising since oncogenesis requires multiple mutations including both oncogene induction and tumor suppressor attenuation."
== Anopheles gambiae in the strict sense == An. gambiae sensu stricto (s.s.) has been discovered to be currently in a state of diverging into two different species—the Mopti (M) and Savannah (S) strains—though as of 2007, the two strains are still considered to be a single species. A mechanism of species recognition using the sound emitted by the wings and identified by Johnston's organ was proposed in 2010, however this mechanism has never been confirmed since, and the overall mechanism theory through "harmonic convergence" has been challenged.
Taisei Hokan Imperial Rescript on Education Imperial Rescript to Soldiers and Sailors Japanese Taiwan Japanese Korea Japanese nationalism List of political figures of Meiji Japan Meiji Memorial Picture Gallery Rising Sun Flag High Treason Incident Battle of Pyongyang (1894) Battle of Yalu River (1894) Battle of Jiuliancheng 1874 Japanese expedition to Taiwan Japanese invasion of Taiwan (1895) Ryukyu Disposition Shrine Consolidation Policy
== Neuromodulator == GSNO, along with glutathione and oxidized glutathione (GSSG), have been found to bind to the glutamate recognition site of the NMDA and AMPA receptors (via their γ-glutamyl moieties), and may be endogenous neuromodulators. At millimolar concentrations, they may also modulate the redox state of the NMDA receptor complex.
Sources: en.wikipedia.org
Selank is a synthetic seven-amino-acid peptide modeled on tuftsin, a fragment of the immunoglobulin G heavy chain. It was designed in Russia to combine anxiolytic and immunomodulatory properties in one molecule.
The first four residues of Selank reproduce the tuftsin sequence Thr-Lys-Pro-Arg. A Pro-Gly-Pro extension at the C-terminus was added to slow enzymatic breakdown and extend residence time.
It holds marketing authorization in Russia, where nasal drop formulations are sold. No equivalent approval exists in the European Union, the United States, or most other countries.
Selank is a synthetic heptapeptide with the sequence Thr-Lys-Pro-Arg-Pro-Gly-Pro, designed as a metabolically stabilized analogue of the endogenous tetrapeptide tuftsin. It has been studied mainly against anxiety-related and cognitive endpoints rather than as an approved medicine in most jurisdictions.