Quick answer: TA1, Tα1, Tα-1 and thymosin alpha-1 are all shorthand for the same 28-amino-acid peptide. Similar names such as prothymosin alpha, thymosin beta-4 and thymosin fraction 5 refer to different molecules. This guide covers thymosin alpha-1 names and how to confirm which one is in a vial.
What do TA1, Tα1 and thymosin alpha mean?
Researchers write the same peptide several ways. The Greek letter alpha (α) is often typed as the word "alpha", and the number 1 may be a hyphen, a subscript or a plain digit. You will see:
- Thymosin alpha-1, thymosin alpha 1 and thymosin α1
- Tα1, Tα-1 and T-alpha-1
- TA1, the plain-text shortcut used in our catalog
- Thymosin alpha, a shortened form of the same name
Our catalog lists this product as Thymosin Alpha (TA1) | 10mg. The page describes a 28-amino-acid synthetic peptide, so every name above points to it.
Thymosin alpha-1 vs prothymosin alpha vs thymosin fraction 5
These three names cause most of the mix-ups. They are related by history, but they are not the same thing.
| Name | What it is |
|---|---|
| Thymosin alpha-1 (Tα1, TA1) | A single peptide of 28 amino acids. It is usually reported with an acetyl group on its starting end. |
| Prothymosin alpha | A much longer precursor protein. The 28 amino acids of Tα1 match its starting segment. |
| Thymosin fraction 5 | A crude, partly purified extract of thymus tissue. It contains many components, and Tα1 was first identified within it. |
The synthetic peptide is built chemically from amino acids. It is not an extract, so it is not a mixture like fraction 5.
Is thymosin alpha-1 the same as thymosin beta-4?
No. They share the word "thymosin" because both were first found in thymus preparations. Thymosin beta-4 is a separate and longer peptide of 43 amino acids with its own sequence. It is a different research area, and we sell it as TB500 (Thymosin Beta-4) | 10mg. Our article on TB4 vs TB500 covers that pair.
Our catalog also lists TA1 Complex Thymalin as a separate item. Check its own product page for what it contains. It is not the same listing as the single-peptide product here. Our piece on thymosin alpha-1, thymulin and thymalin explains how those thymic names differ.
What is in the Thymosin Alpha (TA1) 10mg vial?
The product page gives these details:
- Compound: Thymosin Alpha-1 (Tα1)
- CAS number: 62304-98-7
- Molecular formula: C₁₂₉H₂₁₅N₃₃O₅₅
- Molecular weight: about 3,108.3 g/mol
- Length: 28 amino acids, synthetic
- Form: lyophilized (freeze-dried) powder
The CAS number is a registry identifier for the substance, so it is a reliable way to match a listing to a compound whatever name is printed. For background on the powder form, see our lyophilization explainer.
What has published research examined?
Published laboratory research on Tα1 is mostly cell-based and preclinical. Researchers have examined how the peptide interacts with immune-signaling pathways, including Toll-like receptors on dendritic cells. They have also looked at its effects on signaling molecules in cell culture. This work is a description of what was studied. It does not show what the peptide would do for you. The evidence also varies in depth and in how well studies agree, so treat any single paper cautiously.
How to tell which version a vial contains
The name on a label is only a starting point. The Certificate of Analysis for this product is the document that can confirm the contents. Compare these items on the report:
- Identity by mass: the measured mass should line up with the ~3,108.3 g/mol on the product page. Reports often show charged ions, so the printed numbers may be mass-to-charge values rather than 3,108.
- Acetylation: a version missing the acetyl group would read roughly 42 mass units lower, a gap that mass testing can reveal.
- Purity by HPLC: this shows how much of the sample is the main peak. It cannot, on its own, tell you the main peak is the right peptide.
- Content per vial: confirms how much peptide is present compared with the 10mg label.
Because the sequence has runs of repeated amino acids, small errors in synthesis can sit very close to the target. This is why mass and purity should be read together. Our line-by-line COA guide explains each field.
Frequently asked questions
Is Tα1 the same as TA1?
Yes. Tα1 uses the Greek letter and TA1 is the plain-text version. Both refer to thymosin alpha-1.
Is thymosin alpha-1 the same as prothymosin alpha?
No. Prothymosin alpha is a longer precursor protein, and thymosin alpha-1 corresponds to a 28-amino-acid segment at its start.
Is synthetic thymosin alpha-1 different from the natural form?
The published sequence is the same. The synthetic version is assembled chemically rather than extracted from tissue, which avoids the mixed content of a crude extract.
Why does a thymosin alpha-1 listing show a CAS number?
A CAS number identifies a specific substance regardless of its nickname. For this product it is 62304-98-7.
Can a vial labeled "thymosin" be thymosin beta-4 instead?
It can if the label is vague. Thymosin beta-4 has 43 amino acids and a different mass, so a COA shows which one you have.
Every lot we sell has a Certificate of Analysis you can read before you order. Questions before you buy? Our team is in Chandler, Arizona: (888) 745-1505 or our contact page.
View Thymosin Alpha (TA1) | 10mgAll products sold by BioPure Peptides are intended strictly for in-vitro laboratory and research use only. They are not for human or animal consumption. These statements have not been evaluated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, and these products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.