Definition: Two closely related polypeptides (molecular weight 7,000) isolated from the thymus gland. These hormones induce the differentiation of prothymocytes to thymocytes within the thymus. They also cause a delayed impairment of neuromuscular transmission in vivo and are therefore believed to be the agent responsible for myasthenia gravis.
/biosyn /physiol permitted; do not confuse X ref THYMINS with THYMINE
ExamplesThymopentin
Other names TP 49; II, Thymopoietin; I, Thymopoietin; Thymopoietin II; Thymopoietin I; TP-49; Thymins