KPV is a tripeptide made of lysine, proline and valine. It corresponds to the last three amino acids of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (alpha-MSH), a 13-residue peptide derived from the precursor pro-opiomelanocortin. Interest in the KPV peptide in the UK and elsewhere stems from published cell and rodent work that investigated whether this short fragment retained some of the anti-inflammatory activity reported for the parent hormone. This article covers its identity data and that research.
For laboratory research use only. Not for human or veterinary use. See our research use only policy.
KPV sits within our cluster on tissue-related research peptides. For the related compounds, see our BPC-157 and TB-500 research overview.
At a glance
- Name: KPV
- Synonyms: Lys-Pro-Val, L-lysyl-L-prolyl-L-valine, alpha-MSH (11-13)
- Sequence: Lys-Pro-Val
- Molecular formula: C16H30N4O4
- Molecular weight: 342.4 g/mol
- CAS number: 67727-97-3
- Form: Lyophilised powder
- Storage: 2-8°C, dark, upright, do not freeze. Keep sealed until use.
Where KPV comes from
Alpha-MSH has the sequence Ac-Ser-Tyr-Ser-Met-Glu-His-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gly-Lys-Pro-Val-NH2. It is produced by cleavage of pro-opiomelanocortin, the same precursor that gives rise to adrenocorticotropic hormone and beta-endorphin. The central His-Phe-Arg-Trp motif is the part classically associated with binding to melanocortin receptors. KPV is the C-terminal tripeptide, residues 11 to 13.
Note that in native alpha-MSH the C-terminal valine is amidated. The KPV listed in our catalogue, with formula C16H30N4O4 and molecular weight 342.4 g/mol, corresponds to the free acid form. Both forms appear in the literature, so it is worth checking which one a given paper used before comparing findings.
Structure and properties
As a tripeptide, KPV is one of the smallest bioactive fragments discussed in peptide research. The lysine side chain carries a positive charge at neutral pH, the proline introduces a fixed bend in the backbone and the valine provides a small hydrophobic C-terminus. Its small size is relevant to one line of research: tripeptides can be substrates for the intestinal peptide transporter PepT1, which moves di- and tripeptides across cell membranes.
What has KPV research examined?
The published research on KPV is preclinical and comes from several groups, notably in Germany and the United States.
Alpha-MSH and its fragments
A 2008 review in Endocrine Reviews by Brzoska, Luger and colleagues summarised decades of work on alpha-MSH and its C-terminal tripeptides, including KPV and the related KdPT. It described in vitro and in vivo studies that investigated anti-inflammatory activity and discussed the open question of whether the tripeptides act through melanocortin receptors or through other mechanisms, given that they lack the core receptor-binding motif.
Intestinal models
In 2008, Dalmasso and colleagues reported in Gastroenterology that KPV was taken up by intestinal epithelial cells via PepT1 and investigated its effect on inflammatory signalling in cell culture and in mouse models of colitis. The same year, Kannengiesser and colleagues reported on KPV in murine models of inflammatory bowel disease. Later work by related groups examined nanoparticle formulations of KPV in mouse colitis models.
All of this work was in cells and animals. KPV is not an authorised medicine in the UK or elsewhere, and no conclusions about effects in humans can be drawn from these studies. Our material is a research chemical.
Reading the KPV literature
When comparing KPV studies, it is useful to note three variables: whether the peptide was the free acid or the C-terminal amide, whether the L- or D-form of an amino acid was used (KdPT, for example, contains a D-amino acid and a threonine in place of valine), and whether the work was in cell culture or in a whole animal. Small changes to a tripeptide can alter transporter uptake and stability, so findings for one variant should not be assumed to apply to another.
KPV compared with other peptides in this cluster
KPV is often listed near BPC-157 and TB-500 because of overlapping themes in rodent research on inflammation and tissue models. Structurally it is unrelated to both. It is far smaller than BPC-157 (15 residues) or thymosin beta-4 (43 residues) and comes from a hormone precursor rather than a gastric or cytoskeletal protein. For the thymosin family, see thymosin alpha-1 vs thymosin beta-4.
Identity and quality checks
For a short peptide like KPV, mass spectrometry should show a main ion consistent with a molecular weight of 342.4 g/mol. This also distinguishes the free acid from the amidated form, which differs by about one dalton. HPLC confirms the proportion of the main peak, and our catalogue specification is >99% by HPLC. See our guide to reading a peptide certificate of analysis.
Storage
KPV is supplied as a lyophilised powder. We recommend 2-8°C, protected from light, upright and not frozen, with the vial sealed until use. Allowing a cold vial to reach room temperature before opening limits moisture uptake. Our article on how to store lyophilised peptides explains why.
View KPV in the catalogue.
Frequently asked questions
What is KPV?
KPV is the tripeptide Lys-Pro-Val, corresponding to residues 11 to 13 of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone. It has been investigated in cell and rodent models of inflammation.
What is the CAS number for KPV?
The CAS number for KPV is 67727-97-3. Its molecular formula is C16H30N4O4 and its molecular weight is 342.4 g/mol.
Does KPV bind melanocortin receptors?
This has been debated. KPV lacks the His-Phe-Arg-Trp motif associated with melanocortin receptor binding, and reviews have discussed whether it acts through these receptors or through other pathways.
Is KPV the same as alpha-MSH?
No. Alpha-MSH is a 13-residue peptide. KPV is only its final three residues, and native alpha-MSH carries a C-terminal amide while catalogue KPV is usually the free acid.
Is KPV an approved medicine?
No. KPV is not an authorised medicine in the UK. Our material is supplied for laboratory research use only.
References
- Brzoska T, Luger TA, Maaser C, Abels C, Bohm M. Alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone and related tripeptides: biochemistry, antiinflammatory and protective effects in vitro and in vivo, and future perspectives (title abbreviated). Endocrine Reviews, 2008.
- Dalmasso G, Charrier-Hisamuddin L, Nguyen HT, Yan Y, Sitaraman S, Merlin D. PepT1-mediated tripeptide KPV uptake reduces intestinal inflammation. Gastroenterology, 2008.
- Kannengiesser K, Maaser C, Heidemann J, et al. Melanocortin-derived tripeptide KPV has anti-inflammatory potential in murine models of inflammatory bowel disease. Inflammatory Bowel Diseases, 2008.
- PubChem, National Center for Biotechnology Information. Compound record for Lys-Pro-Val.
For laboratory research use only. Not for human or veterinary use. See our research use only policy.