Thymosin α1 is a peptide fragment derived from prothymosin alpha, a protein that in humans is encoded by the PTMAgene.[5]
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 α1 is produced as a 28-amino acid fragment, from a longer, 113-amino acid precursor, prothymosin α.[6]
Thymosin α1 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.[7]
As of 2009[update] Thymosin α1 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.[8][9]
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Szabo P, Panneerselvam C, Clinton M, et al. (1993). "Prothymosin alpha gene in humans: organization of its promoter region and localization to chromosome 2". Hum. Genet. 90 (6): 629–34. doi:10.1007/BF00202480. PMID7916742. S2CID6902846.
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Sburlati AR, De La Rosa A, Batey DW, et al. (1993). "Phosphorylation of human and bovine prothymosin alpha in vivo". Biochemistry. 32 (17): 4587–96. doi:10.1021/bi00068a015. PMID8485135.
Rubtsov IuP, Vartapetian AB (1996). "[New intronless members of human prothymosin alpha genes]". Mol. Biol. (Mosk.). 29 (6): 1320–5. PMID8592501.