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Epitalon vs SS-31

Longevity

Epitalon

Synthetic tetrapeptide studied for telomerase activity and pineal regulation in cell and animal models.

Longevity

SS-31

Mitochondria-targeting tetrapeptide with high affinity for cardiolipin on the inner mitochondrial membrane.

Side by side

DimensionEpitalonSS-31
Molecular weight390.35 g/mol639.79 g/mol
Size classsmall molecule / short peptideshort peptide
CAS number307297-39-8736992-21-5
Research arealongevitylongevity
SequenceAla-Glu-Asp-GlyD-Arg-Dmt-Lys-Phe-NH2
Available sizes10mg, 50mg10mg
Entry price$39$49
Cost per mg

Cost per milligram differs by more than 3×. Compare against the concentrations your protocol actually requires, not the headline vial price.

$1.38$4.90

Mechanism

Epitalon

Epitalon is a synthetic tetrapeptide (Ala-Glu-Asp-Gly) developed from research on pineal gland extracts. Published work has examined effects on telomerase expression in somatic cell cultures and circadian regulation in aged animals. A candid note on the evidence base: much of the foundational literature comes from a single institute and is not widely independently replicated. Researchers should weight it accordingly.

SS-31

SS-31 is a cell-permeable tetrapeptide that concentrates in the inner mitochondrial membrane through interaction with cardiolipin, a phospholipid essential to cristae architecture and respiratory supercomplex assembly. Its alternating aromatic-cationic motif drives membrane targeting independent of mitochondrial membrane potential — a mechanistic distinction from earlier targeting strategies such as TPP+ conjugation.

Research applications

Epitalon

  • Telomerase activity assays in fibroblast culture
  • Melatonin rhythm and pineal function studies
  • Cellular senescence marker profiling
  • Chromatin structure research in aged cell models

SS-31

  • Cardiolipin binding and cristae morphology studies
  • Mitochondrial respiration and ATP synthesis assays
  • Reactive oxygen species and oxidative stress models
  • Ischemia-reperfusion injury research

Common questions

What is the difference between Epitalon and SS-31?

Epitalon is synthetic tetrapeptide studied for telomerase activity and pineal regulation in cell and animal models. SS-31 is mitochondria-targeting tetrapeptide with high affinity for cardiolipin on the inner mitochondrial membrane. They differ in molecular weight (390.35 vs 639.79 g/mol) and in the pathways they are studied against.

Which is more cost-effective per milligram, Epitalon or SS-31?

Epitalon is lower at approximately $1.38 per milligram at its best tier, against $4.90 for the other. Cost per milligram is only meaningful relative to the concentrations a given protocol requires, since these compounds are not used at comparable masses.

Can Epitalon and SS-31 be studied together?

Combination designs appear in the published literature for a number of these compounds. Whether it is appropriate for a given protocol depends entirely on the model and endpoint. We supply research compounds and do not provide protocol guidance — consult the primary literature for your specific model.

How should Epitalon and SS-31 be stored?

Store lyophilized powder at -20°C protected from light. Reconstituted solution stable at 2-8°C for up to 30 days. For SS-31: Store lyophilized powder at -20°C protected from light. Reconstituted solution stable at 2-8°C for up to 30 days.

All products are intended strictly for laboratory research use. Not for human or veterinary use. Not for diagnostic or therapeutic use. Not a drug, food, or cosmetic.

Comparison generated from NuVida Vital catalog data. Every specification is reconciled against the certificate of analysis for the shipped batch.