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Molecular Weight
Purity
Storage
Appearance
Solubility
01
Thymogen is the dipeptide L-glutamyl-L-tryptophan (Glu-Trp, one-letter code EW), with the international non-proprietary name oglufanide. It was identified by the Khavinson group in St Petersburg as an active component of Thymalin, a polypeptide extract of bovine thymus, and is one of the smallest members of their series of short-peptide bioregulators.
It has been studied mainly for effects on immune cells, and has been used as a registered preparation in Russia. Unlike most peptides in this series, it contains tryptophan, which makes it easy to detect by UV and fluorescence. It is supplied as a lyophilized reference material for in vitro and analytical research only.
02
Thymogen is a simple dipeptide with distinctive properties.
Glu-Trp, α-linked
L-glutamic acid is joined through its α-carboxyl group to the amine of L-tryptophan, forming a normal peptide bond.
Charge
The glutamate side chain and the C-terminus are negatively charged at neutral pH and the N-terminus positively charged, giving a net charge of about −1.
Tryptophan
The indole ring provides UV absorbance at 280 nm, natural fluorescence and a hydrophobic surface, unusual among the Khavinson short peptides.
Relation to Thymodepressin
Thymodepressin is a different molecule, D-iso-glutamyl-D-tryptophan: both residues are D-configured and the glutamate is linked through its side-chain (γ) carboxyl. It has its own CAS number (186087-26-3) and is reported to have opposite immunological effects.
03
Published research on Thymogen centres on immune cells, mostly from Russian research groups.
Lymphocyte studies
Cell-culture and animal studies have reported effects on lymphocyte proliferation and survival and on immune-related gene expression in thymus and spleen.
Stereochemistry and linkage
Comparisons with Thymodepressin have been used to explore how stereochemistry and linkage position change the direction of immunological effects.
Evidence base
Most studies come from the developing research network, with limited independent replication outside it.
These findings are cited as research context only; no effects are claimed for this material.
04
Immunopeptide reference
A reference compound in lymphocyte proliferation and gene-expression studies.
Isomer comparisons
Paired with Thymodepressin to study the effects of stereochemistry and α- versus γ-linkage.
Tryptophan peptide analytics
A small, UV- and fluorescence-active peptide for testing detection methods and isomer-separating HPLC methods.
05
Storage
Store the lyophilized powder at −20 °C, sealed, desiccated and protected from light.
Light and oxidation
Tryptophan can photo-oxidise. Use amber vials, handle under subdued light and avoid oxidising buffers.
Reconstitution
Soluble in water and aqueous buffers.
Solutions
Prepare fresh or freeze single-use aliquots. The N-terminal glutamate can slowly cyclise to pyroglutamate, especially in acidic solutions kept at room temperature.
Other pathways
There is no methionine or cysteine, so tryptophan oxidation is the main concern.
06
Thymogen is easy to detect but must be distinguished from closely related isomers.
HPLC
Reversed-phase C18 with a 0.1% TFA gradient. Detection at 280 nm is selective for tryptophan; 214 nm also works.
Fluorescence
Excitation near 280 nm and emission near 350 nm allow sensitive detection at low concentrations.
Mass spectrometry
Positive-mode ESI shows [M+H]⁺ at m/z 334.1 (monoisotopic 333.13 Da). MS/MS shows the tryptophan immonium ion at m/z 159.1.
Isomer identity
The γ-linked and D-configured isomers, including Thymodepressin, have the same mass. They are distinguished by HPLC retention against reference standards, differences in MS/MS fragmentation, and chiral methods where stereochemistry must be confirmed.
Impurity profile
Typical checks include tryptophan oxidation products, the pyroglutamate form (−18 Da), linkage and stereo-isomers, and counter-ion or salt content.
07
Yes. Oglufanide is the international non-proprietary name for L-glutamyl-L-tryptophan, the dipeptide known as Thymogen.
Thymogen is L-Glu-L-Trp joined through the α-carboxyl of glutamate. Thymodepressin is D-iso-glutamyl-D-tryptophan: both residues are D, and the glutamate is joined through its side-chain (γ) carboxyl. They are separate compounds with separate CAS numbers and are reported to have opposite immunological effects.
In Thymalin, a polypeptide extract of bovine thymus, where it was found to be an active component. It is now made synthetically.
Its tryptophan absorbs strongly at 280 nm and fluoresces, so it can be measured by UV or fluorescence. Most other short bioregulators have no aromatic residues.
By HPLC retention compared with reference standards, by differences in MS/MS fragmentation between α- and γ-linked forms, and by chiral methods when L- and D-forms must be told apart.
Oxidation of tryptophan, especially under light. Slow cyclisation of the N-terminal glutamate to pyroglutamate can also occur in solution.
No. It is supplied strictly as a reference compound for laboratory and analytical research and is not for human or animal use.
Thymogen Research Reference. (2026). Pure Peptides Labs Research Catalogue. Retrieved from https://purepeptideslabs.net/research-catalogue/cellular-bioregulator-reference-compounds/thymogen/
Materials listed on this platform are supported by independent testing and published documentation for laboratory research contexts.
