What is the molecular weight of Epitalon?

390.35 g/mol, formula C14H22N4O9, CAS 307297-39-8. It is a tetrapeptide, making it one of the smallest compounds sold in the research peptide market.

Why does peptide content matter more for a tetrapeptide?

Because counter-ion mass is a fixed amount per basic site, so it is proportionally larger against a small molecular weight. The same trifluoroacetate that is a rounding adjustment on a 5,000 g/mol peptide is a substantial share of a 390 g/mol one.

Can Epitalon be detected at 280 nm?

No. Detection at 280 nm relies on tryptophan or tyrosine and this sequence contains neither. Analysis relies on peptide-bond absorbance near 214 nm, where three peptide bonds give a weak signal per mole.

Identification·3 min read

Epitalon — identity, chemistry and what the literature examined

A four-residue peptide at 390 g/mol, among the smallest compounds in the research market. CAS, formula, sequence, and what the published work actually studied.

Epitalon is a synthetic tetrapeptide, CAS 307297-39-8, molecular formula C14H22N4O9, molecular weight 390.35 g/mol. At four residues it is among the smallest peptides in the research market, which changes how it behaves in analysis and how much of a vial is counter-ion rather than peptide.

By the Bench Grade Research Team · Last updated October 7, 2026

Epitalon identity data

Identity
Property	Value
CAS Registry Number	307297-39-8
Molecular formula	C14H22N4O9
Molecular weight	390.35 g/mol
Length	4 residues
Class	Khavinson-type short bioregulator

Why four residues changes the analysis

A tetrapeptide has three peptide bonds. UV detection at 214 nm responds to peptide bonds, so the signal per mole is small compared with a long sequence and sensitivity suffers. The sequence also carries no tryptophan or tyrosine, which removes detection at 280 nm as a secondary check.

Counter-ion is proportionally larger too. A trifluoroacetate contributes roughly 113 g/mol per basic site, which against 390 g/mol is a substantial share of the vial rather than a rounding adjustment. Peptide content by amino acid analysis matters more here than the simplicity of the molecule suggests.

The bioregulator class

This compound belongs to a family of very short peptides described in Russian gerontology literature from the 1980s onward, often grouped as Khavinson bioregulators. The class is characterised by extreme brevity — two to four residues — rather than by a shared mechanism, and the literature on it sits largely outside the journals most Western researchers read.

What the published work examined

Six studies in our research library reference this compound. They are laboratory and animal investigations concerning cellular senescence markers and telomere biology. The library links the primary sources below; the work is preclinical and no clinical approval exists for this compound in any jurisdiction.

Handling notes for very short peptides

Highly water-soluble in most cases — a charged short peptide rarely presents the solubility problems a hydrophobic sequence does.
Store lyophilized, cold and dark; the dry form is the stable form regardless of length.
Verify peptide content rather than gross mass, because the counter-ion fraction is proportionally large.
A COA method developed for a large peptide, applied unchanged to a tetrapeptide, is worth questioning.

References

Primary literature for the compounds discussed above. Links open the record on PubMed.

Epitalon increases telomere length in human cell lines through telomerase upregulation or ALT activity Khavinson VKh, et al. Front Aging. 2025. PMID 40908429 → · summary
Peptide geroprotector from the pituitary gland inhibits rapid aging of elderly people: results of 15-year follow-up Khavinson VKh, et al. Bull Exp Biol Med. 2011. PMID 22451889 → · summary
Peptide regulation of aging: 35-year research experience Khavinson VKh, et al. Bull Exp Biol Med. 2009. PMID 19902107 → · summary
Peptides and Ageing Khavinson VKh. Neuro Endocrinol Lett. 2002. PMID 12374906 → · summary
The mitochondrial-derived peptide MOTS-c is a regulator of plasma metabolites and enhances insulin sensitivity Kim SJ, et al. Physiol Rep. 2019. PMID 31293078 → · summary
The Mitochondrial-Derived Peptide MOTS-c Promotes Metabolic Homeostasis and Reduces Obesity and Insulin Resistance Lee C, et al. Cell Metab. 2015. PMID 25738459 → · summary
The Mitochondrial-Derived Peptide MOTS-c Promotes Metabolic Homeostasis and Reduces Obesity and Insulin Resistance Lee C, et al. Cell Metab. 2015. PMID 25738459 → · summary
Effect of epitalon and melatonin on life span and spontaneous carcinogenesis in senescence accelerated mice (SAM) Anisimov VN, et al. Vopr Onkol. 2005. PMID 15909815 → · summary

Primary sources

Frequently asked questions

What is the molecular weight of Epitalon?: 390.35 g/mol, formula C14H22N4O9, CAS 307297-39-8. It is a tetrapeptide, making it one of the smallest compounds sold in the research peptide market.
Why does peptide content matter more for a tetrapeptide?: Because counter-ion mass is a fixed amount per basic site, so it is proportionally larger against a small molecular weight. The same trifluoroacetate that is a rounding adjustment on a 5,000 g/mol peptide is a substantial share of a 390 g/mol one.
Can Epitalon be detected at 280 nm?: No. Detection at 280 nm relies on tryptophan or tyrosine and this sequence contains neither. Analysis relies on peptide-bond absorbance near 214 nm, where three peptide bonds give a weak signal per mole.

Compounds discussed in this guide

Who publishes this guide

Who sells it: Bench Grade Peptides LLC, a US supplier of lyophilized synthetic peptides for laboratory research use only. It works with US manufacturing partners rather than running a facility of its own. Is Bench Grade Peptides legit? →
Certificates of Analysis: 139 third-party Certificates of Analysis covering 39 of 44 live products, published per lot in a public library anyone can read before ordering. A very recent lot can appear a few days after it enters the catalogue. COA library →
Ships from: Florida, by UPS, to US addresses only (no international shipping). The registered address in Dover, Delaware is the legal address only. Shipping →
Use: For laboratory research use only — not for human or veterinary use. Not a drug, supplement or medical device. Compliance and research use →

All products discussed in this guide are supplied by Bench Grade Peptides for laboratory research use only. Not for human or veterinary use.