Short peptides stimulate serotonin expression in cells of brain cortex.
Khavinson. V Kh VKh; Lin'kova. N S NS; Tarnovskaya. S I SI; Umnov. R S RS; Elashkina. E V EV; Durnova. A O AO
Key Findings
- Pinealon and Lys‑Glu‑Asp increase serotonin expression in aged cortical cell cultures
- The peptides appear to bind a complementary DNA sequence in the tryptophan hydroxylase gene, influencing its activity
- The results suggest possible neuro‑ and geroprotective effects via boosted serotonin production
Practical Outcomes
- The finding is interesting but not yet ready for real‑world use. Biohackers could view pinealon as a potential brain‑support supplement, yet safe human doses and efficacy are still unknown, so more research is needed before adding it to protocols.
Summary
A lab study found that the short peptide pinealon (Glu-Asp-Arg) and a similar peptide can raise serotonin‑making enzyme levels in aging brain cells, likely by binding to a specific DNA segment. This hints they might help protect brain function as we age, but the work was done only in cell cultures, not people.
Abstract
Peptides Glu-Asp-Arg and Lys-Glu-Asp stimulate serotonin expression in aging cultures of brain cortex cells. Peptide regulation of 5-tryptophan hydroxylase gene encoding the enzyme involved in serotonin synthesis was demonstrated by the molecular docking method. The CCTGCC nucleotide sequence in 5-tryptophan hydroxylase gene was found to be complementary to these peptides. Hence, Glu-Asp-Arg and Lys-Glu-Asp peptides epigenetically regulate serotonin synthesis in the brain cortex, which indicates their neuro- and geroprotective activities.
Study Information
pubmed
2014
2014-06-10T00:00:00.000Z
10.1007/s10517-014-2496-y