Chemical characterization of thymosin beta 4.

Low TL, Goldstein AL

The Journal of biological chemistry1 Jan 1982Cited by 90 (Europe PMC)

PMID7054160DOI10.1016/s0021-9258(19)68299-2PepBankPUB-07054160

Publisher page PubMedAsk about this study

Summary

As part of our ongoing investigations on the endocrine thymus, we have isolated and purified to homogeneity a hormone-like peptide which we have termed thymosin beta 4. Thymosin beta 4 has Mr = 4982 and an isoelectric point of 5.1. The complete amino acid sequence of this polypeptide has been established by automated Edman degradation as well as by manual sequence analysis. Thymosin beta 4 is composed of 43 amino acid residues with acetylserine at the NH2 terminus. This molecule induces expression of terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase in transferase-negative murine thymocytes in vivo and in vitro. It also exhibits ability to inhibit the migration of macrophages. Comparison of the sequence of thymosin beta 4 to other thymic hormones or other published protein sequences does not reveal any statistically significant relationship. Two helical regions were identified in the structure using data for prediction of protein conformation. It is proposed that thymosin beta 4 is one of the biologically active peptides present in thymosin fractions 5 and 5A which participate in the regulation, differentiation, and function of thymus-derived lymphocytes and may also act directly or indirectly on macrophages and perhaps other cells involved in cell-mediated immunity.

CC BYText from Europe PMC. Highlighted sentences are the source of results.

Results from this study7

3 results from studies that gave the peptide. No result from this study comes from people.

01AnimalAnimal study (in vivo)Activity measurement
Thymosin beta‑4 induced expression of terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase in transferase-negative murine thymocytes in vivo.
In plain wordsIn mice, thymosin beta‑4 switched on terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase in thymus immune cells that had none.
Peptide
Thymosin beta-4 (human)
Outcome
IncreaseTerminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase expression in thymocytes in vivo
Study
mousen: not reported in source
transferase-negative murine thymocytes
Outcome group
Immune response · Immune and inflammation
Studied dose
Dose not stated
Source sentences
Summary
induces expression of terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase in transferase-negative murine thymocytes in vivo
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-0705416003
02LabIn vitro (cells)Activity measurement
Thymosin beta‑4 induced expression of terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase in transferase-negative murine thymocytes in vitro.
In plain wordsIn mouse cells, thymosin beta‑4 switched on terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase in thymus immune cells that had none.
Peptide
Thymosin beta-4 (human)
Outcome
IncreaseTerminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase expression in thymocytes in vitro
Study
mousen: not reported in source
transferase-negative murine thymocytes
Outcome group
Immune response · Immune and inflammation
Studied dose
Dose not stated
Source sentences
Summary
induces expression of terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase in transferase-negative murine thymocytes in vivo and in vitro.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-0705416004
03LabOther designActivity measurement
Thymosin beta‑4 exhibits the ability to inhibit the migration of macrophages.
In plain wordsIn lab tests, thymosin beta‑4 reduced the movement of macrophages.
Peptide
Thymosin beta-4 (human)
Outcome
DecreaseInhibition of macrophage migration
Study
n: not reported in source
Outcome group
Immune response · Immune and inflammation
Studied dose
Dose not stated
Source sentences
Summary
It also exhibits ability to inhibit the migration of macrophages.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-0705416005

Studies that did not test the peptide alone4

In this study, Thymosin beta-4 (human) was a lab tool or a carrier, part of a mix, or the subject of a lab method. These results are not evidence about taking Thymosin beta-4 (human).

04LabNot a test of Thymosin beta-4 (human) aloneIn vitro (cell-free)Other
Thymosin beta‑4 has a molecular mass (Mr) of 4982 and an isoelectric point of 5.1.
In plain wordsIn lab analysis, thymosin beta‑4 had a mass of 4982 and an isoelectric point of 5.1.
Peptide
Thymosin beta-4 (human)
Outcome
Not applicableMolecular mass and isoelectric point of thymosin beta 4
Study
n: not reported in source
Outcome group
Peptide structure and chemistry · Pharmacology
Measurements
Mr
4982
thymosin beta 4
isoelectric point
5.1
thymosin beta 4
Source sentences
Summary
Thymosin beta 4 has Mr = 4982 and an isoelectric point of 5.1.
In this study, Thymosin beta-4 (human) was a lab tool or a carrier, part of a mix, or the subject of a lab method. This result is not evidence about taking Thymosin beta-4 (human).
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-0705416001
05LabNot a test of Thymosin beta-4 (human) aloneIn vitro (cell-free)Other
Thymosin beta‑4 is composed of 43 amino acid residues with acetylserine at the NH2 terminus.
In plain wordsIn lab analysis, thymosin beta‑4 had 43 amino acids and started with acetylserine.
Peptide
Thymosin beta-4 (human)
Outcome
Not applicableAmino acid composition and NH2 terminus of thymosin beta 4
Study
n: not reported in source
Outcome group
Peptide structure and chemistry · Pharmacology
Measurements
amino acid residues
43
thymosin beta 4
Source sentences
Summary
Thymosin beta 4 is composed of 43 amino acid residues with acetylserine at the NH2 terminus.
In this study, Thymosin beta-4 (human) was a lab tool or a carrier, part of a mix, or the subject of a lab method. This result is not evidence about taking Thymosin beta-4 (human).
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-0705416002
06Computer modelNot a test of Thymosin beta-4 (human) aloneIn silicoOther
Two helical regions were identified in the structure of thymosin beta‑4 using data for prediction of protein conformation.
In plain wordsIn computer prediction, thymosin beta‑4 had two helical regions.
Peptide
Thymosin beta-4 (human)
Outcome
Not applicablePredicted helical regions in thymosin beta 4
Study
n: not reported in source
Outcome group
Peptide structure and chemistry · Pharmacology
Source sentences
Summary
Two helical regions were identified in the structure using data for prediction of protein conformation.
In this study, Thymosin beta-4 (human) was a lab tool or a carrier, part of a mix, or the subject of a lab method. This result is not evidence about taking Thymosin beta-4 (human).
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-0705416006
07Computer modelNot a test of Thymosin beta-4 (human) aloneIn silicoOther
Comparison of the thymosin beta‑4 sequence to other thymic hormones or other published protein sequences revealed no statistically significant relationship.
In plain wordsIn computer comparison, the thymosin beta‑4 sequence did not match other thymic hormones or published protein sequences in a meaningful way.
Peptide
Thymosin beta-4 (human)
Outcome
No significant changeSequence relationship of thymosin beta 4 to other thymic hormones
Study
n: not reported in source
Outcome group
Peptide structure and chemistry · Pharmacology
Source sentences
Summary
Comparison of the sequence of thymosin beta 4 to other thymic hormones or other published protein sequences does not reveal any statistically significant relationship.
In this study, Thymosin beta-4 (human) was a lab tool or a carrier, part of a mix, or the subject of a lab method. This result is not evidence about taking Thymosin beta-4 (human).
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-0705416007

AI wrote and checked these results. AI can make mistakes, so check important results against the source.

Version history

PepBank keeps every version of the data on this study. Status changes from Retraction Watch, Europe PMC and Crossref are listed with their source.

Version 2Current
13 Oct 2026, 01:52 UTC
Study results updated
Version 1
12 Oct 2026, 18:17 UTC
First added · source update from Europe PMC

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