The short version of heptapeptide fits in a sentence. The long version — which is the one that helps — is below.
This page was last updated on 2026-06-03 and is reviewed periodically as new material appears.
Semax is a synthetic heptapeptide with the sequence Met-Glu-His-Phe-Pro-Gly-Pro. Its design combines the ACTH(4-7) core fragment with a C-terminal Pro-Gly-Pro extension, a modification intended to improve stability and prolong activity. The molecule is hydrophilic, carries no lipid chains or glycosylation, and has a theoretical mass just over 810 daltons in its free form. All seven residues are proteinogenic amino acids, so no non-natural building blocks appear in the backbone. A free N-terminal methionine and C-terminal proline define the unmodified parent peptide.
The compound was developed during the 1980s at the Institute of Molecular Genetics in Moscow as part of research on fragments of adrenocorticotropic hormone. Early work examined short ACTH-derived sequences that retained neurotrophic effects while lacking the endocrine activity of the full hormone. Semax entered clinical use in Russia during the 1990s, where it received registration for several neurological indications. Outside that region it remained primarily a laboratory research material rather than an approved therapeutic. English-language literature on it grew more slowly and frequently cited the original Russian studies.
Laboratory descriptions of the material are consistent across suppliers. It appears as a white to off-white lyophilized powder that dissolves readily in water and in polar organic solvents such as dimethyl sulfoxide. Aqueous solutions are clear and colorless at low concentrations. Because the peptide contains methionine, oxidation at the sulfur atom is a recognized degradation pathway, and handling notes usually call for protected, desiccated storage. Reported purity for research-grade lots is generally above 95 percent as measured by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography.
The compound is registered in Russia as a pharmaceutical product, most commonly formulated as a nasal solution, and has been used in that setting since the 1990s. Outside that jurisdiction it is generally handled as a research chemical rather than an approved medicine. Regulatory status therefore differs sharply between countries, and material sold internationally may not correspond to the Russian pharmaceutical formulation. Documentation with commercial samples is typically limited to a certificate of analysis covering purity and identity, not clinical status or local legal classification.
| Property | Value | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Chemical class | Synthetic heptapeptide | ACTH(4-7) analogue |
| Sequence | Met-Glu-His-Phe-Pro-Gly-Pro | Free N terminus, unmodified side chains |
| Molecular weight | 813.9 Da | Free base; salt forms differ |
| Appearance | White to off-white powder | Lyophilised solid |
| Solubility | Freely soluble in water | Hydrophilic; polar solvents preferred |
Copper silicate based chemical gardens have been shown to exhibit resistive switching behavior and synaptic functions, including paired-pulse facilitation and potentiation/depression, while operating with low energy consumption using solution-based fabrication methods. That broadens the applications potential of non-equilibrium structures.
== Composition == The military was mostly composed of white South Africans, who alone were subject to conscription. The permanent force of the Army was 85% Afrikaans speaking. However, black South Africans were the second largest group, and Asians and Coloured citizens with mixed ancestry were eligible to serve as volunteers, several attaining commissioned rank. From 1971 onwards, several black battalions were raised in the Infantry and Service Corps on a tribal basis, most black soldiers serving in these exclusive tribal battalions, which had black NCOs but white commissioned officers. The first black personnel were accepted into commissioned ranks only from 1986, and then only for serving black soldiers and NCOs. The regular Commission would not be open for Bantus until 1991, and then again they would serve only in black units or Support/Service Support units, to avoid having position of authority over white combat arms personnel. The first black officer to be promoted to lieutenant colonel rank and have command over a battalion sized unit was appointed in February 1994. However, black officer candidates from the various Homeland Forces and from South West Africa/SWATF had been accepted since 1981. Units such as the 32 Battalion incorporated many black volunteers, as did the 101 Battalion. Conscription was opposed by organisations such as the End Conscription Campaign, but overall, white morale remained high—as indicated by the few recruits tried for serious disciplinary offences.
=== Mechanism and antidote === NAPQI becomes toxic when GSH (glutathione) is depleted by an overdose of acetaminophen. Glutathione is an essential antidote to overdose. Glutathione conjugates to NAPQI and helps to detoxify it. In this capacity, it protects cellular protein thiol groups, which would otherwise become covalently modified; when all GSH has been spent, NAPQI begins to bind to certain enzymes like N-10 formyltetrahydrofolate dehydrogenase and glutamate dehydrogenase, reducing their activity and killing the cells in the process. This, along with the depletion of GSH which significantly impairs the function of mitochondria, plays a significant role in the development of paracetamol toxicity. The preferred treatment for an overdose of this painkiller is the administration of N-acetyl-L-cysteine (either via oral or IV administration), which is processed by cells to L-cysteine and used in the de novo synthesis of GSH.
Izonsteride (developmental code name LY-320,236) is a selective inhibitor of the 5α-reductase, with dual effects on both the type I and type II isoforms of the enzyme. It was under development by Eli Lilly and Company and Fujisawa for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia but was never marketed. Izonsteride may also be useful in the treatment of androgenic alopecia.
Sources: en.wikipedia.org
Under close examination, a ring of yellow-brown to olive-green pigmentation known as a Fleischer ring can be observed in around half of keratoconic eyes. The Fleischer ring, caused by deposition of the iron oxide hemosiderin within the corneal epithelium, is subtle and may not be readily detectable in all cases, but becomes more evident when viewed under a cobalt blue filter. Similarly, around 50% of subjects exhibit Vogt's striae, fine stress lines within the cornea caused by stretching and thinning. The striae temporarily disappear while slight pressure is applied to the eyeball. A highly pronounced cone can create a V-shaped indentation in the lower eyelid when the person's gaze is directed downwards, known as Munson's sign. Other clinical signs of keratoconus will normally have presented themselves long before Munson's sign becomes apparent, and so this finding, though a classic sign of the disease, tends not to be of primary diagnostic importance. A handheld keratoscope, sometimes known as "Placido's disk", can provide a simple noninvasive visualization of the surface of the cornea by projecting a series of concentric rings of light onto the cornea. A more definitive diagnosis can be obtained using corneal topography, in which an automated instrument projects the illuminated pattern onto the cornea and determines its topography from analysis of the digital image. The topographical map indicates any distortions or scarring in the cornea, with keratoconus revealed by a characteristic steepening of curvature that is usually below the centerline of the eye.
===== MeSH D08.811.277.656 – peptide hydrolases (EC 3.4) ===== MeSH D08.811.277.656.149 – atp-dependent proteases MeSH D08.811.277.656.149.200 – endopeptidase clp MeSH D08.811.277.656.149.500 – protease la MeSH D08.811.277.656.300 – endopeptidases MeSH D08.811.277.656.300.066 – aspartic endopeptidases MeSH D08.811.277.656.300.066.180 – cathepsin d MeSH D08.811.277.656.300.066.185 – cathepsin e MeSH D08.811.277.656.300.066.200 – chymosin MeSH D08.811.277.656.300.066.340 – HIV protease MeSH D08.811.277.656.300.066.700 – pepsin a MeSH D08.811.277.656.300.066.780 – renin MeSH D08.811.277.656.300.099 – brinolase MeSH D08.811.277.656.300.133 – cathepsins MeSH D08.811.277.656.300.133.062 – carboxypeptidase c MeSH D08.811.277.656.300.133.125 – cathepsin b MeSH D08.811.277.656.300.133.187 – cathepsin d MeSH D08.811.277.656.300.133.250 – cathepsin e MeSH D08.811.277.656.300.133.375 – dipeptidyl peptidase i MeSH D08.811.277.656.300.174 – coagulase MeSH D08.811.277.656.300.215 – cysteine endopeptidases MeSH D08.811.277.656.300.215.096 – bromelains MeSH D08.811.277.656.300.215.120 – calpain MeSH D08.811.277.656.300.215.126 – caspases MeSH D08.811.277.656.300.215.126.200 – caspase 1 MeSH D08.811.277.656.300.215.133 – cathepsin b MeSH D08.811.277.656.300.215.160 – chymopapain MeSH D08.811.277.656.300.215.350 – ficain MeSH D08.811.277.656.300.215.585 – papain MeSH D08.811.277.656.300.480 – metalloendopeptidases MeSH D08.811.277.656.300.480.205 – collagenases MeSH D08.811.277.656.300.480.205.352 – gelatinase a MeSH D08.811.277.656.300.480.205.360 – gelatinase b MeSH D08.811.277.656.300.480.205.410 – interstitial collagenase MeSH D08.811.277.656.300.480.205.500 – microbial collagenase MeSH D08.811.277.656.300.480.205.615 – neutrophil collagenase MeSH D08.811.277.656.300.480.252 – gelatinases MeSH D08.811.277.656.300.480.252.420 – gelatinase a MeSH D08.811.277.656.300.480.252.445 – gelatinase b MeSH D08.811.277.656.300.480.300 – insulysin MeSH D08.811.277.656.300.480.452 – lysostaphin MeSH D08.811.277.656.300.480.525 – matrix metalloproteinases MeSH D08.811.277.656.300.480.525.352 – gelatinase a MeSH D08.811.277.656.300.480.525.360 – gelatinase b MeSH D08.811.277.656.300.480.525.451 – interstitial collagenase MeSH D08.811.277.656.300.480.525.505 – matrilysin MeSH D08.811.277.656.300.480.525.615 – neutrophil collagenase MeSH D08.811.277.656.300.480.525.810 – stromelysin 1 MeSH D08.811.277.656.300.480.600 – neprilysin MeSH D08.811.277.656.300.480.632 – pregnancy-associated plasma protein-a MeSH D08.811.277.656.300.480.664 – procollagen n-endopeptidase MeSH D08.811.277.656.300.480.680 – pronase MeSH D08.811.277.656.300.480.827 – thermolysin MeSH D08.811.277.656.300.760 – serine endopeptidases MeSH D08.811.277.656.300.760.030 – acrosin MeSH D08.811.277.656.300.760.176 – chymotrypsin MeSH D08.811.277.656.300.760.198 – complement factor b MeSH D08.811.277.656.300.760.200 – complement factor d MeSH D08.811.277.656.300.760.210 – complement factor i MeSH D08.811.277.656.300.760.228 – endopeptidase clp MeSH D08.811.277.656.300.760.247 – endopeptidase k MeSH D08.811.277.656.300.760.284 – enteropeptidase MeSH D08.811.277.656.300.760.300 – factor viia MeSH D08.811.277.656.300.760.310 – factor ixa MeSH D08.811.277.656.300.760.315 – factor xa MeSH D08.811.277.656.300.760.320 – factor xia MeSH D08.811.277.656.300.760.324 – factor xiia MeSH D08.811.277.656.300.760.353 – furin MeSH D08.811.277.656.300.760.442 – kallikreins MeSH D08.811.277.656.300.760.442.700 – plasma kallikrein MeSH D08.811.277.656.300.760.442.725 – prekallikrein MeSH D08.811.277.656.300.760.442.750 – prostate-specific antigen MeSH D08.811.277.656.300.760.442.875 – tissue kallikreins MeSH D08.811.277.656.300.760.501 – mannose-binding protein-associated serine proteases MeSH D08.811.277.656.300.760.560 – pancreatic elastase MeSH D08.811.277.656.300.760.560.500 – leukocyte elastase MeSH D08.811.277.656.300.760.625 – plasmin MeSH D08.811.277.656.300.760.635 – plasminogen activators MeSH D08.811.277.656.300.760.635.075 – anistreplase MeSH D08.811.277.656.300.760.640 – proprotein convertase 1 MeSH D08.811.277.656.300.760.646 – proprotein convertase 2 MeSH D08.811.277.656.300.760.648 – proprotein convertase 5 MeSH D08.811.277.656.300.760.680 – pronase MeSH D08.811.277.656.300.760.733 – protease la MeSH D08.811.277.656.300.760.787 – subtilisins MeSH D08.811.277.656.300.760.787.805 – subtilisin MeSH D08.811.277.656.300.760.855 – thrombin MeSH D08.811.277.656.300.760.875 – tissue plasminogen activator MeSH D08.811.277.656.300.760.895 – trypsin MeSH D08.811.277.656.300.760.910 – urinary plasminogen activator MeSH D08.811.277.656.300.760.955 – venombin a MeSH D08.811.277.656.300.760.955.060 – ancrod MeSH D08.811.277.656.300.760.955.135 – batroxobin MeSH D08.811.277.656.300.775 – streptokinase MeSH D08.811.277.656.300.775.075 – anistreplase MeSH D08.811.277.656.300.775.900 – streptodornase and streptokinase MeSH D08.811.277.656.350 – exopeptidases MeSH D08.811.277.656.350.100 – aminopeptidases MeSH D08.811.277.656.350.100.150 – amino acid naphthylamidases MeSH D08.811.277.656.350.100.150.400 – leucyl-beta-naphthylamidase MeSH D08.811.277.656.350.100.160 – antigens, cd13 MeSH D08.811.277.656.350.100.235 – cystinyl aminopeptidase MeSH D08.811.277.656.350.100.373 – glutamyl aminopeptidase MeSH D08.811.277.656.350.100.511 – leucyl aminopeptidase MeSH D08.811.277.656.350.100.511.400 – leucyl-beta-naphthylamidase MeSH D08.811.277.656.350.100.755 – pyroglutamyl-peptidase I MeSH D08.811.277.656.350.245 – carboxypeptidases MeSH D08.811.277.656.350.245.055 – carboxypeptidases A MeSH D08.811.277.656.350.245.083 – carboxypeptidase B MeSH D08.811.277.656.350.245.111 – carboxypeptidase C MeSH D08.811.277.656.350.245.167 – carboxypeptidase H MeSH D08.811.277.656.350.245.224 – carboxypeptidase U MeSH D08.811.277.656.350.245.252 – Serine-type D-Ala-D-Ala carboxypeptidase MeSH D08.811.277.656.350.245.280 – gamma-glutamyl hydrolase MeSH D08.811.277.656.350.245.400 – glutamate carboxypeptidase ii MeSH D08.811.277.656.350.245.450 – lysine carboxypeptidase MeSH D08.811.277.656.350.245.500 – muramoylpentapeptide carboxypeptidase MeSH D08.811.277.656.350.297 – dipeptidases MeSH D08.811.277.656.350.350 – dipeptidyl peptidases MeSH D08.811.277.656.350.350.126 – antigens, cd26 MeSH D08.811.277.656.350.350.375 – dipeptidyl peptidase i MeSH D08.811.277.656.350.555 – metalloexopeptidases MeSH D08.811.277.656.350.555.100 – antigens, cd13 MeSH D08.811.277.656.350.555.200 – carboxypeptidase b MeSH D08.811.277.656.350.555.250 – carboxypeptidase h MeSH D08.811.277.656.350.555.300 – carboxypeptidase u MeSH D08.811.277.656.350.555.350 – carboxypeptidases a MeSH D08.811.277.656.350.555.400 – cystinyl aminopeptidase MeSH D08.811.277.656.350.555.500 – glutamate carboxypeptidase ii MeSH D08.811.277.656.350.555.600 – glutamyl aminopeptidase MeSH D08.811.277.656.350.555.700 – leucyl aminopeptidase MeSH D08.811.277.656.350.555.700.400 – leucyl-beta-naphthylamidase MeSH D08.811.277.656.350.555.750 – lysine carboxypeptidase MeSH D08.811.277.656.350.700 – peptidyl-dipeptidase a MeSH D08.811.277.656.675 – metalloproteases MeSH D08.811.277.656.675.374 – metalloendopeptidases MeSH D08.811.277.656.675.374.102 – adam proteins MeSH D08.811.277.656.675.374.205 – collagenases MeSH D08.811.277.656.675.374.205.352 – gelatinase a MeSH D08.811.277.656.675.374.205.360 – gelatinase b MeSH D08.811.277.656.675.374.205.410 – interstitial collagenase MeSH D08.811.277.656.675.374.205.500 – microbial collagenase MeSH D08.811.277.656.675.374.205.615 – neutrophil collagenase MeSH D08.811.277.656.675.374.252 – gelatinases MeSH D08.811.277.656.675.374.252.420 – gelatinase a MeSH D08.811.277.656.675.374.252.445 – gelatinase b MeSH D08.811.277.656.675.374.300 – insulysin MeSH D08.811.277.656.675.374.452 – lysostaphin MeSH D08.811.277.656.675.374.525 – matrix metalloproteinases MeSH D08.811.277.656.675.374.525.352 – gelatinase a MeSH D08.811.277.656.675.374.525.360 – gelatinase b MeSH D08.811.277.656.675.374.525.451 – interstitial collagenase MeSH D08.811.277.656.675.374.525.505 – matrilysin MeSH D08.811.277.656.675.374.525.615 – neutrophil collagenase MeSH D08.811.277.656.675.374.525.810 – stromelysin 1 MeSH D08.811.277.656.675.374.600 – neprilysin MeSH D08.811.277.656.675.374.632 – pregnancy-associated plasma protein-a MeSH D08.811.277.656.675.374.664 – procollagen n-endopeptidase MeSH D08.811.277.656.675.374.680 – pronase MeSH D08.811.277.656.675.374.827 – thermolysin MeSH D08.811.277.656.675.555 – metalloexopeptidases MeSH D08.811.277.656.675.555.100 – antigens, cd13 MeSH D08.811.277.656.675.555.200 – carboxypeptidase b MeSH D08.811.277.656.675.555.250 – carboxypeptidase h MeSH D08.811.277.656.675.555.300 – carboxypeptidase u MeSH D08.811.277.656.675.555.350 – carboxypeptidases a MeSH D08.811.277.656.675.555.400 – cystinyl aminopeptidase MeSH D08.811.277.656.675.555.500 – glutamate carboxypeptidase ii MeSH D08.811.277.656.675.555.600 – glutamyl aminopeptidase MeSH D08.811.277.656.675.555.700 – leucyl aminopeptidase MeSH D08.811.277.656.675.555.700.400 – leucyl-beta-naphthylamidase MeSH D08.811.277.656.675.555.750 – lysine carboxypeptidase MeSH D08.811.277.656.837 – proprotein convertases MeSH D08.811.277.656.837.124 – carboxypeptidase h MeSH D08.811.277.656.837.186 – carboxypeptidase u MeSH D08.811.277.656.837.249 – furin MeSH D08.811.277.656.837.500 – proprotein convertase 1 MeSH D08.811.277.656.837.562 – proprotein convertase 2 MeSH D08.811.277.656.837.625 – proprotein convertase 5 MeSH D08.811.277.656.837.750 – renin MeSH D08.811.277.656.918 – proteasome endopeptidase complex
== Structure == Structurally the major basic protein (MBP) is similar to lectins (sugar-binding proteins), and has a fold similar to that seen in C-type lectins. However, unlike other C-type lectins (those that bind various carbohydrates in the presence of calcium), MBP does not bind either calcium or any of the other carbohydrates that this family recognize. Instead, MBP recognises heparan sulfate proteoglycans. Two crystallographic structures of MBP have been determined.
=== Health === In August 2022, Zverev announced that he has Type 1 diabetes, having been diagnosed at the age of three. That year, he launched the Alexander Zverev Foundation, a charity to support people with diabetes. During a match at the 2023 French Open, Zverev was not permitted to inject insulin on-court, prompting criticism from the International Diabetes Federation and the JDRF. Tournament organizers later clarified that Zverev would be allowed to inject insulin on-court.
Alexander George Ogston FAA FRS (30 January 1911 – 29 June 1996) was a British biochemist who specialised in the thermodynamics of biological systems. He was a grandson of Sir Alexander Ogston, a Scottish surgeon who discovered Staphylococcus.
Sources: en.wikipedia.org
It is a synthetic seven-amino-acid peptide built from the ACTH(4-7) sequence plus a Pro-Gly-Pro tail. It belongs to the family of short ACTH fragments studied for nervous-system effects. Its backbone contains only standard amino acids.
It contains the 4-7 fragment of adrenocorticotropic hormone extended at the C terminus. That truncation removes the region associated with steroidogenic activity. The design intent was to keep neurotrophic properties while avoiding full hormonal effects.
No natural source of the intact heptapeptide is known. It is produced by solid-phase peptide synthesis. Some related ACTH fragments arise as hormone processing products, but the Pro-Gly-Pro extension is a designed addition rather than a natural sequence.
It is registered as a pharmaceutical product in Russia, where it is typically supplied as a nasal solution. In most other countries it is not an approved drug and is traded as a research chemical instead. Approval status depends entirely on the jurisdiction involved.