Overview
Cartalax, also known as Ala-Glu-Asp (AED) or the T-31 peptide, is a short synthetic tripeptide composed of three amino acids — alanine, glutamic acid, and aspartic acid. It belongs to a class of small regulatory peptides that have been explored in laboratory settings for their potential role in cellular signaling and gene expression modulation. Research involving Cartalax has examined its behavior in cell culture models, including studies on mesenchymal stem cells, skin fibroblasts, and neuronal differentiation, with particular interest in how short peptides may influence gene activity associated with cellular aging processes. Some published studies have investigated its effects alongside other short peptides on markers related to proliferation, apoptosis, and extracellular matrix remodeling in in vitro aging models. Cartalax is intended strictly for research purposes and is not approved for human use or consumption.
Research & Bioactivity
Cartalax (Ala-Glu-Asp, also referred to as AED) is a short tripeptide that researchers have studied in the context of cellular aging, stem cell biology, and tissue renewal. In vitro studies have examined its effects on human embryonic bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells, with research investigating how it modulates the expression of genes associated with aging and longevity, including IGF1, FOXO1, TERT, and NFκB. Studies have also explored its influence on skin fibroblast function during in vitro aging, with findings related to markers of proliferation, apoptosis, and extracellular matrix remodeling such as MMP-9. Research conducted in renal cell cultures — using both young and aged animal-derived tissue — has investigated whether this peptide affects cellular senescence markers including p16, p21, p53, and SIRT-6. Additionally, researchers have studied its potential role in neuronal differentiation of stem cells, situating it within a broader area of inquiry into peptidergic regulation of cellular homeostasis and age-related biological changes.
Published Research
Gene expression in human mesenchymal stem cell aging cultures: modulation by short peptides.
Ashapkin V, Khavinson V, Shilovsky G, Linkova N, Vanuyshin B — 2020
Effects of the short peptides Ala-Glu-Asp (AED), Lys-Glu-Asp (KED) and Lys-Glu (KE) on the expression of IGF1, FOXO1, TERT, TNKS2, and NFκB genes were studied in human embryo bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (line FetMSCs) variously aged in "passages" or "stationary" cultures. Both cell aging models were similar in gene expression. The main difference was in the TERT gene expression level, which showed an eightfold increase at the "stationary" aging. IGF1 gene expression levels were very similar in both cell culture aging models, being enhanced by 3.5-5.6 fold upon the addition of the peptides. The FOXO1 gene was expressed twice more actively in the "stationary" than in the "passages" aging model. KED peptide inhibited FOXO1 gene expression by 1.6-2.3 fold. KE peptide increased FOXO1 gene expression by about two-fold in the "stationary" aging model but did not affect it in the "passage" aging model. The most striking difference in the peptide effect on cell aging between "passages" and "stationary" aging models was in the KED effects on TNKS2 gene expression; this expression was inhibited by KED in the "passages" model, while stimulation was observed in the "stationary" model. AED, KED, and KE stimulated expression of the NFκB gene in both models. Thus, the peptides studied at nanomolar concentrations modulate the expression of some genes known to be involved in cell aging.
Effect of short peptides on neuronal differentiation of stem cells.
Caputi S, Trubiani O, Sinjari B, Trofimova S, Diomede F, et al. — 2019
It has been demonstrated that short peptides play an important role in the transmission of biological information, modulation of transcription, and restoring genetically conditioned alterations occurring with age. Peptidergic regulation of homeostasis occupies an important place in physiological processes, which lead to the aging of cells, tissues, and organs, consisting in the involution of major regulatory systems-the nervous, the endocrine, and the immune. The effect of AED (Ala-Glu-Asp), KED (Lys-Glu-Asp), KE (Lys-Glu), AEDG (Ala-Glu-Asp-Gly) peptides and their compound on neuronal differentiation of human periodontal ligament stem cells (hPDLSCs) was studied by immunofluorescence and western blot analysis. Growth-Associated Protein 43 (GAP43), which implements neurotransmission mechanisms and neuroplasticity, demonstrated an increased expression in hPDLSCs cultured with a compound of all studied peptides and with KED alone. The peptide compound and KED, increase the expression of Nestin (neurofilament protein), expressed in early neuronal precursors in hPDLSCs cultures. Thus, the compound of peptides AEDG, KE, AED, and KED could promote the neuronal differentiation of hPDLSCs and be a promising tool for the study of peptides as a modulator of neurogenesis in neurodegenerative diseases studied in animal models.
Peptide Regulation of Skin Fibroblast Functions during Their Aging In Vitro.
Lin'kova NS, Drobintseva AO, Orlova OA, Kuznetsova EP, Polyakova VO, et al. — 2016
The effect peptides KE, KED, AED and AEDG on proliferation (Ki-67), regeneration and aging (CD98hc), apoptosis (caspase-3), and extracellular matrix remodeling (MMP-9) in skin fibroblasts during their aging in culture were studied by immunofluorescent confocal microscopy. All studied peptides inhibited MMP-9 synthesis that increases during aging of skin fibroblasts and enhanced the expression of Ki-67 and CD98hc that are less intensively synthesized during cell aging. Peptides AED and AEDG suppressed caspase-dependent apoptosis that increases during aging of cell cultures.
Peptide Regulation of Cells Renewal Processes in Kidney Tissue Cultures from Young and Old Animals.
Chalisova NI, Lin'kova NS, Nichik TE, Ryzhak AP, Dudkov AV, et al. — 2015
Polypeptide complex isolated from calf kidneys stimulates the processes of cell renewal in organotypic kidney tissue cultures from young and old rats. The polypeptide complex enhances expression of proliferation marker Ki-67 and reduces expression of proapoptotic peptide p53 in kidney explants obtained from young and old animals. Short peptides T-31 (AED) and T-35 (EDL) also stimulate proliferation and reduce apoptosis of the kidney cells, but to a lesser degree than the polypeptide complex. The results provide the basis for further investigation of the polypeptide complex as a preparation for the therapy of kidney diseases, including age-related pathologies.
[Tripeptides slow down aging process in renal cell culture].
Khavinson VKh, Tarnovskaia SI, Lin'kova NS, Poliakova VO, Durnova AO, et al. — 2014
The mechanism of geroprotective effect of peptides AED and EDL was studied in ageing renal cell culture. Peptide AED and EDL increase cell proliferation, decreasing expression of marker of aging p16, p21, p53 and increasing expression of SIRT-6 in young and aged renal cell culture. The reduction of SIRT-6 synthesis in cell is one of the causes of cell senescence. On the basis of experimental data models of interaction of peptides with various sites of DNA were constructed. Both peptides form most energetically favorable complexes with d(ATATATATAT)2 sequences in minor groove of DNA. It is shown that interaction of peptides AED and EDL with DNA is the cause of gene expression, encoded marker of ageing in renal cells.