KPV

KPV is a synthetic tripeptide of lysine, proline and valine corresponding to residues 11 to 13 at the carboxyl terminus of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (alpha-MSH). It carries the molecular formula C16H30N4O4 and a molecular weight of 342.43 g/mol, and is catalogued in PubChem as CID 125672 under CAS number 67727-97-3. Because it reproduces only the final three residues of the parent hormone, KPV is among the smallest melanocortin-derived sequences studied as a discrete research compound. Material for laboratory work is supplied as a lyophilized (freeze-dried) solid, frequently as an acetate salt.

In the laboratory KPV serves as a reference peptide for work on melanocortin fragment biology and on peptide transporter substrates. KPV is also one of four components in vendor-defined KLOW Blend preparations, alongside GHK-Cu, BPC-157 and TB-500, so catalog and literature searches often return blend material rather than the isolated tripeptide. This entry covers the isolated tripeptide only. Identity figures above should be reconciled against the Certificate of Analysis supplied with the lot in hand. KPV is sold for research use only and is not for human or veterinary use.

KPV entered the literature in 1989: Hiltz and Lipton reported that a COOH-terminal fragment of alpha-MSH retained the parent hormone’s anti-inflammatory activity in rodent models (PubMed 2550304).

Dalmasso and colleagues later reported uptake by cultured intestinal epithelial cells through the transporter PepT1, with reduced inflammatory signalling in murine colitis models (PubMed 18061177). Kannengiesser and colleagues used two murine models of inflammatory bowel disease (PubMed 18092346). Cutuli and colleagues reported in vitro effects of alpha-MSH peptides on cultured microbial isolates (PubMed 10670585).

The evidence base is preclinical and modest: rodent models and cultured cells, few groups, no controlled human trials.

Published work describes KPV as acting intracellularly rather than at a cell-surface receptor. In cultured intestinal epithelial cells, uptake through PepT1 has been reported, followed by attenuated nuclear factor kappa B signalling and reduced pro-inflammatory cytokine transcription (PubMed 18061177).

KPV lacks the His-Phe-Arg-Trp core message sequence melanocortin receptors require for binding, so it is not a melanocortin receptor agonist and is not interchangeable with pigmentation-active analogs such as Melanotan-1 or Melanotan-2.

Comparisons across this literature need care: studies differ in species, cell line and inflammation readout, and several used nanoparticle or hydrogel carriers rather than free peptide (PubMed 19909746).

Sealed lyophilized KPV is held frozen at -20°C, shielded from light, in its original container. Lyophilized peptides are hygroscopic, so a container reaches ambient temperature before opening. Repeated freeze-thaw cycles are avoided.

Stability for a lot is documented on its Certificate of Analysis rather than assumed here.

Reconstitution means returning a lyophilized compound to solution. This entry gives no preparation procedure: solvent, concentration and handling steps belong to a protocol, not to the compound. KPV carries an ionisable lysine side chain and a free carboxyl terminus and is handled as aqueous-soluble material.

Lyophilized KPV takes up atmospheric moisture, degrading gravimetric accuracy. Water content and solubility figures for a lot appear on its Certificate of Analysis; conditions come from each study’s methodology.

Identity and purity of research-grade KPV are established analytically, typically by reverse-phase HPLC and mass spectrometry. Verified purity is documented per lot on the Certificate of Analysis. For a tripeptide the analytical questions that matter most are truncation impurities and residual counter-ion content, since KPV is commonly supplied as an acetate salt.

Suppliers vary more in salt form and water content than in sequence fidelity, both of which shift effective peptide mass.

KPV is catalogued alongside these compounds in this encyclopedia.

• KLOW Blend (entry forthcoming).
  Vendor-defined blend of KPV, GHK-Cu, BPC-157 and TB-500.
• GHK-Cu.
  Copper-binding tripeptide studied in matrix-remodelling models.
• BPC-157.
  Pentadecapeptide investigated in animal models for its effect on tissue-repair pathways.
• TB-500.
  Actin-binding peptide fragment investigated in animal repair models.
• Melanotan-1.
  Alpha-MSH analog retaining the core message sequence KPV lacks.

Hiltz ME, Lipton JM (1989). Antiinflammatory activity of a COOH-terminal fragment of the neuropeptide alpha-MSH. FASEB J. PubMed 2550304

Cutuli M, Cristiani S, Lipton JM, et al. (2000). Antimicrobial effects of alpha-MSH peptides. J Leukoc Biol.
PubMed 10670585

Dalmasso G, Charrier-Hisamuddin L, Nguyen HT, et al. (2008). PepT1-mediated tripeptide KPV uptake reduces intestinal inflammation. Gastroenterology.
PubMed 18061177

Kannengiesser K, Maaser C, Heidemann J, et al. (2008). Melanocortin-derived tripeptide KPV has anti-inflammatory potential in murine models of inflammatory bowel disease. Inflamm Bowel Dis.
PubMed 18092346

Laroui H, Dalmasso G, Nguyen HT, et al. (2010). Drug-loaded nanoparticles targeted to the colon with polysaccharide hydrogel reduce colitis in a mouse model. Gastroenterology.
PubMed 19909746

KPV is stocked here in one format: sealed single-compound lyophilized vials from four supplier brands. Vials are the only listed format for this compound. Listed fills are 10mg, and one brand lists both 5mg and 10mg. Per-vial strengths are product specifications only. Each lot is batch tested with a published Certificate of Analysis documenting verified purity for that lot.

• Browse all KPV research products
• Real Peptides KPV, 10mg lyophilized vial
• Verified Peptides KPV, 10mg lyophilized vial
• Groov Bioscience KPV, 10mg lyophilized vial
• NuLumin KPV, 5mg and 10mg lyophilized vial
• Collections: Research Vials. Documentation: COA and Lab Testing.

These products are sold for Research Use Only and are not intended for human consumption.