Synonyms / Designations: Cartalax; AED; cartilage / connective-tissue peptide bioregulator
Amino Acid Sequence: Ala-Glu-Asp (AED)
CAS Number: N/A
Molecular Formula: C12H19N3O8
Molecular Weight: 333.30 g/mol
Purity: ≥ 99 % (HPLC)
Appearance: White to off-white lyophilised powder
Pack Size: 20 mg (total)
Storage: Desiccated, protected from light, stored at –20 °C or below
Solubility: Soluble in water and buffered aqueous solutions
Description & Mechanism
Cartalax is a short synthetic tripeptide used as a molecular probe for studying tissue-specific gene regulation in cartilage and connective-tissue model systems. In chondrocyte and fibroblast cultures it has been used to examine effects on cell proliferation, apoptosis and expression of extracellular-matrix genes (e.g. type II collagen, aggrecan).
In molecular-docking work within the Khavinson model, the AED motif is assigned to a specific promoter site, supporting its use as a research probe for putative short-peptide / DNA-promoter interactions. It is studied as a candidate transcriptional regulator in experimental musculoskeletal systems; observed effects depend on concentration, model system and exposure conditions.
Applications in Research
- In-vitro chondrocyte and fibroblast proliferation / apoptosis assays
- Extracellular-matrix gene-expression studies (collagen II, aggrecan)
- Cellular models of cartilage / connective-tissue aging
- Probe for short-peptide promoter-binding studies
Specifications Summary
| Parameter |
Typical Value / Range |
| Purity (HPLC) |
≥ 99 % |
| Appearance |
White to off-white lyophilised powder |
| Molecular Weight |
333.30 g/mol |
| Peptide Type |
Synthetic linear tripeptide bioregulator (Khavinson cytogen family) |
| Solubility |
Water, buffered aqueous solutions |
| Storage |
–20 °C, desiccated, dark |
| Pack Size |
20 mg (total) |
Handling, Reconstitution & Stability
- Weigh under dry conditions; peptide is hygroscopic
- Reconstitute in sterile water or appropriate buffered aqueous solution depending on assay requirements
- Avoid vigorous agitation during dissolution
- Filter sterilize if required (e.g. 0.22 µm) prior to use
- Aliquot and store reconstituted solutions at –20 °C or below to minimise degradation
- Avoid repeated freeze–thaw cycles
Precautions & Notes
- Experimental behaviour is dependent on concentration, model system and exposure conditions
- Appropriate experimental controls are recommended
- Prolonged exposure to light, elevated temperature or aqueous environments may reduce stability
- Intended strictly for laboratory research use; not for human or veterinary application
References
Khavinson VKh, Linkova NS, Tarnovskaya SI, et al. Short cell-penetrating peptides: a model of interactions with gene promoter sites. Bull Exp Biol Med.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23484211/
Short Peptides Regulate Gene Expression. Bull Exp Biol Med. 2016.
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10517-016-3596-7
Khavinson VKh, Popovich IG, et al. Peptide Regulation of Gene Expression: A Systematic Review. Molecules. 2021;26(22):7053.
https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/26/22/7053
Keywords: Cartalax, AED, cartilage peptide bioregulator, synthetic tripeptide
