bioregulator raises a handful of sensible questions. This page answers them in order, starting with the fundamentals and moving to applications.
This page was last updated on 2026-01-27 and is reviewed periodically as new material appears.
Epitalon is a synthetic tetrapeptide with the amino acid sequence alanine-glutamate-aspartate-glycine, abbreviated Ala-Glu-Asp-Gly or AEDG. It was developed by the Russian researcher Vladimir Khavinson and colleagues during work on peptide bioregulators derived from the pineal gland. The compound is short enough to be produced by standard solid-phase peptide synthesis and is typically handled as a lyophilized white powder. Its small size distinguishes it from larger pineal peptides such as epithalamin, a complex extract from which the tetrapeptide was conceptually derived.
The four residues give epitalon a molecular formula of C14H22N4O9 and a molecular weight near 390.35 daltons. The presence of two acidic residues, glutamate and aspartate, makes the free peptide strongly acidic, while the alanine and glycine ends provide neutral, nonpolar character. This combination produces a molecule with substantial water solubility. Because there are no cysteine, methionine, or tryptophan residues, the peptide lacks the most common oxidation-sensitive side chains, which simplifies handling compared with many longer peptides.
The proposed relationship between epitalon and pineal function is a central part of its background. Khavinson's group reported that short peptides corresponding to regions of larger pineal proteins could influence gene expression in cells. Epitalon was framed as a synthetic analogue of an active fragment rather than a direct isolation product. Whether the tetrapeptide reproduces the effects of the parent extract is an open question, because comparative studies are limited and the parent extract itself is not a single defined substance.
Identity and purity of epitalon samples are normally established by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet detection near 214 nanometres, combined with mass spectrometry. The mass spectrum confirms the expected molecular ion and can reveal truncated or oxidised by-products. Amino acid analysis after acid hydrolysis verifies that the four residues are present in the expected ratio. Certificates typically report a purity figure taken from chromatographic peak area, expressed as a percentage of total integrated signal.
Lyophilised epitalon is generally held at minus twenty degrees Celsius in a sealed container kept dry and dark. Cooler conditions are sometimes recommended for long-term archives. The solid takes up moisture readily enough that repeated opening of a vial introduces water, so dividing a batch into smaller portions before storage lowers degradation risk. Aqueous solutions are less durable than the dry powder and are usually prepared shortly before use, then kept cold and shielded from light to slow hydrolysis and oxidation.
Verification of research-grade material involves comparing a supplier chromatogram against an in-house reference, checking the observed mass against the calculated value, and where possible confirming residue order by tandem mass spectrometry or enzymatic peptide mapping. Purity claims should be read alongside the method used to obtain them, because detection wavelength and integration settings alter the result. Batch-specific data, rather than a generic grade statement, is the informative part of a certificate.
| Property | Value | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Amino acid sequence | Ala-Glu-Asp-Gly | Tetrapeptide, often abbreviated AEDG |
| Molecular formula | C14H22N4O9 | Free peptide, unmodified termini |
| Molecular weight | ~390.35 Da | Calculated for the free acid form |
| Appearance | White to off-white powder | Typical lyophilized product form |
| Solubility class | Freely soluble in water | Two acidic residues dominate ionic character |
Epitalon is a synthetic tetrapeptide whose four residues are alanine, glutamate, aspartate and glycine, commonly abbreviated AEDG. Its molecular formula is C14H22N4O9 and its monoisotopic mass is near 390.35 daltons. The peptide carries two acidic side chains, so it is neutral to negatively charged in most aqueous buffers. Published reference summaries usually list it under both spellings, epitalon and epithalon, and treat the two names as the same material.
The compound is generally described as a synthetic analogue of a fragment isolated from a pineal gland extract. Researchers associated with the Saint Petersburg Institute of Bioregulation and Gerontology introduced it during the 1980s and 1990s while studying short peptides from animal tissue. The original extract, called epithalamin, is a heterogeneous mixture, whereas epitalon is a single defined sequence. That distinction matters because findings reported for the extract are not automatically findings about the pure tetrapeptide, and claims about broader biological effects remain a separate question from the chemical identity described here.
Verification of a sample usually begins with reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography, which resolves the peptide from truncated sequences and other impurities and expresses purity as a percentage of total peak area. Mass spectrometry by electrospray ionisation or matrix-assisted laser desorption supplies an independent check, because the measured mass can be compared against the theoretical value for AEDG. Amino acid analysis or tandem mass spectrometry sequencing can confirm residue order. Each of these methods answers a different question: a purity figure does not establish identity, and an identity match does not establish how much of the material is intact peptide.
The molecule is a short, linear, hydrophilic peptide that dissolves readily in water or aqueous buffer. Its principal chemical liabilities are hydrolytic rather than oxidative, since it contains no cysteine, methionine, or tryptophan residues. The aspartate–glycine step is a recognised site for aspartimide formation under mildly acidic or basic conditions, generating isoaspartate and succinimide-related products over time. Desiccated lyophilised powder held at −20 °C is comparatively stable, whereas dilute solutions degrade faster and are best frozen as single-use aliquots rather than thawed repeatedly.
The deal was also backed by Fondaction CSN and Investissement Québec and supported the transfer of management of Congebec Logistic from its founder, Laurier Pedneault, to his son, Nicholas-P Pedneault. As a result of the transaction, CRCD, an existing investor in the company, became the majority shareholder. On April 25, 2017, Nick Pedneault was named Chairman of the WFLO (World Food Logistics Organisation) and said he would focus his efforts on the development and growth of the industry as well as on the promotion of the GCCA (Global Cold Chain Alliance). The WFLO represents the research and education component of the GCCA. Mr. Pedneault is the first ever Québec native to occupy this position. In 2017 Congebec acquired Shamrock Cold Storage, inc. to establish its presence in the Toronto area; Congebec, inc. Shamrock is a cold storage company is the Toronto Market. The clients that dealt with Shamrock will remain in the Toronto storage facility.
== Career == King joined Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1959 as an assistant professor of chemical engineering to become director of the School of Chemical Engineering Practice station at the Exxon (then Esso) Bayway refinery in New Jersey. In 1963, King joined University of California, Berkeley as assistant professor of chemical engineering, becoming associate professor in 1966 and full professor in 1969. From 1967 to 1972, he served as the vice chairman of Department of Chemical Engineering. He then served as the chairman of the department from 1972 to 1981. In 1981, King was appointed as the dean of College of Chemistry and later in 1987 as the provost of the Professional Schools and Colleges, a position in which he served until 1994. At the time of his appointment, King was the first chemical engineer to become dean of the College of Chemistry at Berkeley. King was appointed the vice provost for research for the entire nine-campus University of California in 1994. In 1995 he became provost and senior vice president for academic affairs, again university-wide. During his time as UC provost, King helped launch the new, tenth UC campus at Merced, the California Digital Library, and eScholarship, the University of California's open access, electronic repository for publications by UC authors. He returned to UC Berkeley in 2004 as the director of Center for Studies in Higher Education, serving in this position for a full decade until 2014.
==== Photolithography ==== Ultraviolet radiation is used for very fine resolution photolithography, a procedure wherein a chemical called a photoresist is exposed to UV radiation that has passed through a mask. The exposure causes chemical reactions to occur in the photoresist. After removal of unwanted photoresist, a pattern determined by the mask remains on the sample. Steps may then be taken to "etch" away, deposit on or otherwise modify areas of the sample where no photoresist remains. Photolithography is used in the manufacture of semiconductors, integrated circuit components, and printed circuit boards. Photolithography processes used to fabricate electronic integrated circuits presently use 193 nm UV and are experimentally using 13.5 nm UV for extreme ultraviolet lithography.
Sources: en.wikipedia.org
===== Digital wallet scheme ===== Paetongtarn has overseen the implementation of the 10,000-baht digital wallet scheme, the flagship economic policy of the Pheu Thai Party. The scheme was originally promised during the 2023 election campaign as a one-time universal handout to nearly all Thais aged 16 and over, intended to deliver a large-scale stimulus to the domestic economy. However, since the Paetongtarn government took office, the program has faced significant modifications, delays, and criticism regarding its funding, implementation, and economic necessity. The initial plan to fund the 500 billion baht scheme through a special loan bill was scrapped due to legal concerns and fears of violating fiscal discipline laws. Instead, the government has relied on the national budget. The universal nature of the handout was also curtailed, with eligibility restrictions introduced to exclude high-income earners (those with an annual income over 840,000 baht) and individuals with more than 500,000 baht in savings. Phase 1, launched in September 2024, provided 10,000 baht in cash to approximately 14.5 million recipients, including state welfare cardholders and individuals with disabilities. Phase 2, implemented between January and April 2025, extended the cash transfers to an estimated 3 million senior citizens aged 60 and over. The first truly "digital" phase, which was set to target around 2.7 million young people aged 16–20 via a government application, has been indefinitely postponed.
prostacyclin synthase to create prostacyclin thromboxane-A synthase to create thromboxane A2 and 12-(S)-hydroxy-5Z,8E,10E-heptadecatrienoic acid (HHT) (see 12-Hydroxyheptadecatrienoic acid) prostaglandin D2 synthase to create prostaglandin D2 prostaglandin E synthase to create prostaglandin E2 prostaglandin F synthase to create prostaglandin F2α It rearranges non-enzymatically to:
== History == In 2018, three unrelated children who had similar symptoms of developmental delays, skeletal abnormalities, and mild dysmorphic facial features. The first patient had an autism diagnosis and mild skeletal abnormalities but was otherwise normal. The second patient had poor growth in infancy, difficulty walking, tremors, difficulty speaking, and needed to be homeschooled due to academic difficulties. The third patient had microcephaly, poor growth, and was slow to learn how to walk but was able to attend mainstream school. All three of these patients had a variety of dysmorphic facial features that none of the patients shared except for a prominent nose, wide mouth, and thin upper lip. They were identified as having a de novo mutation on their QRICH1 gene. In 2019, 2 unrelated children were identified as having VERBAS and were found to have subtle chondrodysplasia. In 2021, Fohrenbach et al. described 4 unrelated patients with VERBAS. One patient, a three-year-old, developed nephroblastoma and died from complications, suggesting that increased cancer risk may be a part of the syndrome. In 2023, a 17-year-old girl was suffering from seizures and leukodystrophy. The girl had a history of minor developmental delays and was thought to have a perinatal brain injury resulting in mild right-side paresis. Her mother shared similar dysmorphic facial features, short stature, and distractable nature, causing them to be referred to a genecist. It was discovered that they both carried a novel QRICH1-related mutation and were diagnosed with VERBRAS.
Sources: en.wikipedia.org
Epitalon is a synthetic tetrapeptide composed of four amino acids: alanine, glutamate, aspartate, and glycine. It is written as Ala-Glu-Asp-Gly. The free peptide has a molecular weight of about 390 daltons and is normally supplied as a lyophilized powder.
No. Epitalon is chemically synthesized, not extracted. It was designed as a short synthetic fragment conceptually related to larger pineal peptides studied in the same research tradition, particularly the extract known as epithalamin. The two are distinct materials with different compositions.
The term bioregulator is used in this research tradition for short peptides proposed to influence gene expression or cell function. Epitalon is grouped with other synthetic short peptides under this label. The term reflects a proposed mechanism rather than an established drug classification.
The usual approach is reversed-phase HPLC with ultraviolet detection, reported as a percentage of total peak area. Mass spectrometry is used alongside chromatography to confirm identity rather than purity alone.