Pinealon

Pinealon (also referred to as EDR) is a short peptide comprising only three amino acids (Glu-Asp-Arg). Additionally, it is classified as one of Khavinson’s peptides. EDR is generally extracted from a crude polypeptide extract called Cortexin. Pinealon is considered to be a peptide bioregulator, and it appears to interact directly with DNA. It may contribute to the alteration of gene expression levels. It may potentially exhibit behavior modification and may protect various cell types, including neurons, against hypoxia. Pinealon has been studied for its potential to impact the pineal gland to address issues with metabolism, circadian rhythm disorders, and certain cognitive functions.

Pinealon, unlike most other peptides, does not appear to bind to the cell surface or cytoplasmic receptors. Research studies exploring cell cultures (HeLa cells) have suggested that the peptide penetrates the cell membrane and the nuclear membrane to interact with DNA directly.^[1] The researchers conclude that “The site-specific interactions of peptides with DNA [may] control epigenetically the cell genetic functions, and they seem to play an important role in regulation of gene activity even at the earliest stages of… origin and in evolution.” Thus, it is believed that the peptide may function in some ways as a potential regulator of gene expression and mediate myriad cellular actions.