THE EFFECT OF THYMOSIN β4 ON THE FUNCTIONAL ACTIVITY OF THE IMMUNE AND NERVOUS SYSTEM COMPONENTS
The data on properties of thymosin β4, a conserved multifunctional polypeptide of mammals is summarized. Attention has been focused on regulatory activity of thymosin β4 in regard to immune and nervous system components. In these systems thymosin β4 is present in different cell types both stationary and mobile ones. Besides intracellular localization thymosin β4 is also located in extracellular fluids. Inside cells, thymosin β4 has been postulated to regulate actin polymerization as a G-actin-sequestering molecule. But molecular mechanisms of thymosin β4 located extra cells on cell functions remain unclear. The structural-functional organization of thymosin β4 is also discussed. Thymosin β4 is a perspective medicine preparation for the therapy of diseases related to immune and neurological disturbances in patients.