Selank (TP-7) is a synthetic heptapeptide with the sequence Thr-Lys-Pro-Arg-Pro-Gly-Pro. It was developed at the Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Russian Academy of Sciences as a stabilized analogue of tuftsin (Thr-Lys-Pro-Arg), a naturally occurring tetrapeptide fragment of immunoglobulin G. The Pro-Gly-Pro extension increases resistance to enzymatic degradation, extending Selank's activity window compared to native tuftsin.
Selank's primary research focus has been its effects on the GABAergic system, BDNF expression, and stress-response pathways. Unlike benzodiazepines, which act as direct GABA-A receptor positive allosteric modulators, Selank has been proposed to modulate endogenous GABA-A receptor activity without direct receptor binding — a distinction of interest in research on anxiolytic mechanisms that don't carry classical benzodiazepine dependence profiles.
Selank's mechanism involves multiple research-identified pathways. Its most studied effect is modulation of the GABAergic system — specifically, research has shown changes in GABA-A receptor subunit expression in animal models following Selank administration, though the precise binding mechanism at the receptor level remains under investigation.
BDNF modulation: Like Semax, Selank has been associated with increased BDNF expression in animal models. BDNF (brain-derived neurotrophic factor) supports neuronal survival, synaptic plasticity, and learning-related processes. The two peptides share this research overlap despite having different structural origins and primary mechanisms.
Serotonin metabolism: Research from the Institute of Molecular Genetics documented changes in serotonin catabolism in animal models treated with Selank, suggesting interactions with the monoaminergic system that may contribute to its anxiolytic profile — distinct from the GABAergic pathway and a subject of ongoing mechanistic research.
Comparison to Semax: Both Selank and Semax are Russian-developed synthetic peptides with BDNF-related research profiles. Semax has more data on BDNF upregulation and neuroprotective signaling; Selank has more research on anxiolytic mechanisms and GABA system modulation. Researchers studying the stress-cognition interface sometimes examine both compounds. See: Semax product page →