Semax, a Copper Chelator Peptide, Decreases the Cu(II)-Catalyzed ROS Production and Cytotoxicity of aβ by Metal Ion Stripping and Redox Silencing.

Tomasello MF, Di Rosa MC, Naletova I, Sciacca MFM, Giuffrida A, Maccarrone G, Attanasio F

Bioinorganic chemistry and applications3 Jun 2025Cited by 1 (Europe PMC)

PMID40496623PMCIDPMC12151629DOI10.1155/bca/4226220PepBankPUB-40496623

Summary

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common neurodegenerative disorder associated with cognitive decline and loss of memory. It is postulated that the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in Fenton-like reaction connected with Cu(II)/Cu(I) redox cycling of the Cu(II)-aβ complex can play a key role in the molecular mechanism of neurotoxicity in AD. Semax (Met-Glu-His-Phe-Pro-Gly-Pro) is a synthetic regulatory peptide that possesses a high affinity for Cu(II) ions. The ability of the peptide Semax to inhibit the copper-catalyzed oxidation of aβ was studied in vitro and discussed. The results indicate that Semax is able to extract Cu(II) from Cu(II)-aβ species as well as to influence the redox cycling of the Cu(II)-aβ complex and decrease the level of associated ROS production. Finally, our data suggest that Semax shows cytoprotective properties for SH-SY5Y cells against oxidative stress induced by copper-catalyzed oxidation of the aβ peptide. This study provides valuable insights into the potential role of Semax in neurodegenerative disorders and into the design of new compounds with therapeutic potential for AD.

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

Results from this study4

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

01LabIn vitro (cells)Activity measurement
In SH-SY5Y cells, Semax showed cytoprotective properties against oxidative stress induced by copper-catalyzed oxidation of Abeta.
In plain wordsIn cells, Semax protected nerve-like cells from oxidative stress caused by copper and amyloid beta.
Peptide
Semax
Outcome
IncreaseCytoprotection against Cu-catalyzed Abeta oxidative stress
Study
n: not reported in source
SH-SY5Y cells
Outcome group
Neuroprotection · Nervous system and cognition
Studied dose
Dose not stated
Source sentences
Summary
Semax shows cytoprotective properties for SH-SY5Y cells against oxidative stress induced by copper-catalyzed oxidation of the aβ peptide.
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
The ability of the peptide Semax to inhibit the copper-catalyzed oxidation of aβ was studied in vitro and discussed.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-4049662304
02LabIn vitro (cell-free)Mechanism
In a cell-free system, Semax extracted Cu(II) from Cu(II)-Abeta species.
In plain wordsIn lab tests, Semax pulled copper away from copper-bound amyloid beta.
Peptide
Semax
Outcome
Not applicableCu(II) extraction from Cu(II)-Abeta
Study
n: not reported in source
Cu(II)-Abeta complex in vitro
Outcome group
Neuroprotection · Nervous system and cognition
Studied dose
Dose not stated
Source sentences
Summary
Semax is able to extract Cu(II) from Cu(II)-aβ species as well as to influence the redox cycling of the Cu(II)-aβ complex and decrease the level of associated ROS production.
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
The ability of the peptide Semax to inhibit the copper-catalyzed oxidation of aβ was studied in vitro and discussed.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-4049662301
03LabIn vitro (cell-free)Mechanism
In a cell-free system, Semax influenced the redox cycling of the Cu(II)-Abeta complex.
In plain wordsIn lab tests, Semax changed the redox cycling of the copper-amyloid beta complex.
Peptide
Semax
Outcome
MixedRedox cycling of the Cu(II)-Abeta complex
Study
n: not reported in source
Cu(II)-Abeta complex in vitro
Outcome group
Neuroprotection · Nervous system and cognition
Studied dose
Dose not stated
Source sentences
Summary
to influence the redox cycling of the Cu(II)-aβ complex and decrease the level of associated ROS production.
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
The ability of the peptide Semax to inhibit the copper-catalyzed oxidation of aβ was studied in vitro and discussed.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-4049662302
04LabIn vitro (cell-free)Activity measurement
In a cell-free system, Semax decreased the level of reactive oxygen species produced with the Cu(II)-Abeta complex.
In plain wordsIn lab tests, Semax lowered the reactive oxygen species made by the copper-amyloid beta complex.
Peptide
Semax
Outcome
DecreaseROS production associated with Cu(II)-Abeta
Study
n: not reported in source
Cu(II)-Abeta complex in vitro
Outcome group
Neuroprotection · Nervous system and cognition
Studied dose
Dose not stated
Source sentences
Summary
decrease the level of associated ROS production.
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
The ability of the peptide Semax to inhibit the copper-catalyzed oxidation of aβ was studied in vitro and discussed.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-4049662303

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
10 Oct 2026, 10:21 UTC
Study results updated
Version 1
9 Oct 2026, 03:04 UTC
First added · source update from Europe PMC

Subjects

Terms as the source lists them.

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