Thymosin Alpha-1
Also known as Thymosin α1, Tα1, Thymalfasin, TA1
Thymosin Alpha-1 (Tα1 / thymalfasin) is a defined 28-residue, N-terminally acetylated thymic peptide derived from prothymosin alpha, studied in immune-modulation research. A professional-use profile.
Thymosin alpha-1 is a single, exact peptide — 28 residues, N-terminally acetylated, derived from the precursor protein prothymosin alpha. It sits in a small family of thymus-associated peptides that are routinely discussed together and just as routinely confused: thymulin is a defined nonapeptide, thymalin a multi-component tissue fraction, and thymosin alpha-1 a third, longer sequence. Shared theme, different molecules.
That precision is why it has a distinct identity in the immune-research literature and even a formal drug name, thymalfasin. This page describes the peptide's structure and lineage and the immune-modulation research context it appears in, without making therapeutic or outcome claims.
Thymosin alpha-1 is a defined 28-residue peptide, notable for being N-terminally acetylated. It corresponds to a fragment of the larger precursor protein prothymosin alpha, from which it is derived. It is a single, well-defined sequence — the acidic, thymus-associated peptide assigned the drug name thymalfasin.
A defined peptide from a larger precursor
Thymosin alpha-1 is a 28-residue peptide that corresponds to a fragment of prothymosin alpha, a larger and highly acidic protein. The mature peptide carries an acetyl group at its N-terminus — a real structural detail that distinguishes it and that a good certificate of analysis will reflect.
Because the sequence is defined and acidic, it behaves as a specific, identifiable molecule rather than a mixture — the opposite of a preparation-style material. That makes its characterization by mass spectrometry and HPLC comparatively clean for a peptide of its length.
The immune-modulation research context
The thymus is where T-cells mature, and thymosin alpha-1 is studied most prominently in immune-modulation research — work concerning how immune-cell populations are regulated. This is the research area it is associated with; naming it describes where scientists have examined the peptide, not an effect promised to anyone.
It is often discussed alongside thymulin, the thymic nonapeptide also known as serum thymic factor, and alongside other immune-context research peptides such as LL-37 and KPV.
Why the naming varies
Thymosin alpha-1 travels under several names — Tα1, TA1, and the assigned drug name thymalfasin among them. They refer to the same defined 28-residue peptide. Recognizing the synonyms helps when comparing certificates and literature, since a single molecule can appear under any of them.
These are research areas the compound is associated with in the literature — not medical claims or intended uses.
Handling & storage
Supplied lyophilized. Kept sealed and cold; in research settings it is reconstituted with bacteriostatic water only when a protocol requires it, then refrigerated. Handle per accepted laboratory practice.
Verify a certificate by lot →Common questions
It is a defined 28-residue peptide, N-terminally acetylated, corresponding to a fragment of the precursor protein prothymosin alpha.
Yes. Thymalfasin is the assigned drug name for the same 28-residue peptide; it also appears as Tα1 or TA1. All refer to one molecule.
Both are defined synthetic peptides with a thymic association, but they are different molecules: thymosin alpha-1 is 28 residues, thymulin is a nonapeptide. They share a theme, not a structure, and are characterized separately. Neither should be confused with thymalin, which is a multi-component tissue preparation rather than a single peptide.
This monograph is a professional-use reference. It describes composition and the contexts in which the compound has been studied — it is not medical advice, a description of effects, or a recommendation for use. Sold strictly for laboratory and research use; not for human or animal consumption.