What is Selank?

Selank is a synthetic heptapeptide with the sequence Thr-Lys-Pro-Arg-Pro-Gly-Pro. The peptide was developed at the Institute of Molecular Genetics, Russian Academy of Sciences, as part of research into regulatory peptides that modulate nervous system function.

The peptide is structurally related to tuftsin, a naturally occurring immunomodulatory tetrapeptide, with additional amino acids that confer distinct pharmacological properties. Selank has been studied in research contexts for its effects on neurotransmitter metabolism, immune function, and neuroplasticity.

For UK research laboratories, selank serves as a reference compound for studies examining peptide-based modulation of neurotransmitter systems, neuroimmune interactions, and the relationship between immune signalling and nervous system function in controlled in vitro environments.

Selank operates through the following mechanisms in research models:

Neurotransmitter Modulation — In cellular and biochemical models, selank influences the metabolism of monoamine neurotransmitters. The peptide modulates the activity of enzymes involved in serotonin, dopamine, and noradrenaline turnover, affecting neurotransmitter availability.

Enzyme Regulation — Selank modulates the activity of enkephalin-degrading enzymes, including enkephalinase and aminopeptidase N. By regulating peptide neurotransmitter breakdown, selank may influence endogenous opioid signalling in cellular models.

Immune Modulation — Studies indicate selank has immunomodulatory properties in cellular models. The peptide influences cytokine production in immune cell cultures and modulates inflammatory mediator release.

BDNF Expression — Selank has been studied for its effects on brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) expression in neural cell cultures and tissue models.

GABAergic Modulation — The peptide may influence GABA receptor function in neural models, with effects on inhibitory neurotransmission balance.

Selank is employed across multiple research domains in UK laboratories:

Neuropharmacology — In vitro receptor binding and enzyme activity assays examine selank's effects on neurotransmitter systems, monoamine metabolism, and enkephalin-degrading enzymes.

Neuroimmune Research — Microglial cell cultures examine selank's effects on cytokine production, neuroinflammation markers, and immune signalling pathways.

Regulatory Peptide Studies — Selank serves as a model compound for studies examining how short regulatory peptides modulate complex biological systems.

Protease Research — Enkephalinase and aminopeptidase inhibition assays use selank as a tool compound for studying peptide neurotransmitter degradation.

Comparative Peptide Pharmacology — Selank is compared to related regulatory peptides (tuftsin, noopept) in receptor binding and enzyme activity studies.

Selank is supplied as a lyophilised powder. Standard laboratory preparation:

• Bacteriostatic water (0.9% benzyl alcohol) recommended for reconstitution
• Typical concentrations: 1–10 mg/mL depending on assay requirements
• Solubility: The peptide is readily soluble in aqueous solutions; gentle vortexing aids dissolution
• pH: Maintain solutions at pH 6.0–7.5

• Lyophilised powder: −20°C, protected from light
• Reconstituted solution: 2–8°C, protected from light
• Stability: 7–14 days under refrigeration; aliquot and freeze at −20°C for extended studies
• Avoid: Repeated freeze-thaw cycles