PT-141 vs Thymosin Alpha-1
Specialty
PT-141
Cyclic heptapeptide melanocortin receptor agonist, a metabolite of melanotan II studied for central MC4R signaling.
Specialty
Thymosin Alpha-1
28-amino-acid thymic peptide studied for Toll-like receptor signaling and T-cell maturation.
Side by side
| Dimension | PT-141 | Thymosin Alpha-1 |
|---|---|---|
| Molecular weight A 3.0× difference in mass — these are not comparable on a milligram-for-milligram basis. | 1025.16 g/mol | 3108.3 g/mol |
| Size class | short peptide | mid-length peptide |
| CAS number | 189691-06-3 | 62304-98-7 |
| Research area | specialty | specialty |
| Sequence | Not published as a linear sequence | Not published as a linear sequence |
| Available sizes | 10mg | 10mg |
| Entry price | $44 | $59 |
| Cost per mg | $4.40 | $5.90 |
Mechanism
PT-141
PT-141 is a cyclic heptapeptide and the deaminated metabolite of melanotan II, acting as an agonist at melanocortin receptors with principal research interest at MC4R. Unlike melanotan II it lacks significant MC1R-mediated pigmentation activity, making it a cleaner tool for isolating MC4R-mediated central effects. Its mechanism is centrally mediated rather than vascular, which distinguishes it from PDE5-targeting compounds.
Thymosin Alpha-1
Thymosin alpha-1 is a 28-amino-acid N-terminally acetylated peptide originally isolated from thymic tissue. It is among the better-characterized immunomodulatory peptides, with published mechanism centering on TLR2 and TLR9 signaling in dendritic cells and downstream effects on T-cell differentiation. Unlike much of this catalog, it has an established clinical literature under the name thymalfasin.
Research applications
PT-141
- MC4R and MC3R binding and selectivity assays
- Central melanocortin pathway signaling studies
- Comparative receptor profiling against melanotan II
Thymosin Alpha-1
- TLR2 and TLR9 signaling assays in dendritic cell culture
- T-cell maturation and differentiation studies
- Cytokine profiling (IL-2, IFN-γ) in immune models
- Vaccine adjuvant research
Common questions
What is the difference between PT-141 and Thymosin Alpha-1?
PT-141 is cyclic heptapeptide melanocortin receptor agonist, a metabolite of melanotan II studied for central MC4R signaling. Thymosin Alpha-1 is 28-amino-acid thymic peptide studied for Toll-like receptor signaling and T-cell maturation. They differ in molecular weight (1025.16 vs 3108.3 g/mol) and in the pathways they are studied against.
Which is more cost-effective per milligram, PT-141 or Thymosin Alpha-1?
PT-141 is lower at approximately $4.40 per milligram at its best tier, against $5.90 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 PT-141 and Thymosin Alpha-1 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 PT-141 and Thymosin Alpha-1 be stored?
Store lyophilized at -20°C protected from light. Reconstituted at 2-8°C for up to 30 days. For Thymosin Alpha-1: Store lyophilized at -20°C protected from light. Reconstituted 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.