Description
Structure & Identity
KPV is a tripeptide, Lys-Pro-Val, corresponding to residues 11 to 13 at the C-terminal end of alpha-MSH. Despite its small size, it retains a meaningful slice of the parent hormone’s signaling. Because it is only three amino acids, it is simple to synthesize and characterize, which is part of why it is a convenient research probe.
Research Background
KPV research centers on how a very small peptide engages melanocortin and NF-kB-pathway signaling, plus a separate antimicrobial-assay thread.
- Alpha-MSH fragment. KPV is the C-terminal tripeptide of alpha-MSH, retaining NF-kB-pathway signaling without the pigment activity [PMID: 12750433].
- Distinct mechanism. Work dissected its NF-kB-pathway signaling as different from the core alpha-MSH peptides [PMID: 12750433].
- Epithelial-cell models. It has been studied in murine gut-epithelial signaling models [PMID: 18092346].
- Chemical modification. Structural modification of KPV at the lysine residue has been examined [PMID: 29953505].
- Antimicrobial thread. Alpha-MSH and its C-terminal sequences have shown activity in antimicrobial assays [PMID: 10670585].
These are research contexts, not approved uses.
Specifications
| Attribute | Value |
| Chemical name | KPV (Lys-Pro-Val), alpha-MSH(11-13) |
| Also Known As | alpha-MSH(11-13) |
| Sequence | Lys-Pro-Val |
| CAS number | 67727-97-3 |
| Molecular formula | C16H30N4O4 |
| Molecular weight | 342.4 g/mol |
| Purity | ≥99% by reverse-phase HPLC |
| Length | 3 amino acids (tripeptide) |
| Identity | Confirmed by ESI mass spectrometry |
| Physical form | Lyophilized powder |
| Appearance | White to off-white solid |
| Quantity | 10 mg per vial |
| Storage | -20°C, protected from light |
| Solubility | Soluble in water/DMSO for assay preparation |
| Classification | Research use only |
Storage & Handling
Store the sealed vial frozen at -20°C, away from light, until use. Once prepared, keep the solution at 2-8°C and use it in your study within about two weeks. KPV is a small, relatively stable peptide, but warming the vial to room temperature before opening and avoiding repeated freeze-thaw cycles are still good practice.
Quality Assurance
KPV is produced to research-grade manufacturing standards and verified by an independent lab before release. Purity comes from reverse-phase HPLC and identity from mass spectrometry, carried out by third-party laboratories such as Janoshik Analytical along with domestic US labs. A certificate of analysis is issued for each batch, so its purity and identity data belong to the vial you receive.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is KPV?
KPV is a synthetic tripeptide (Lys-Pro-Val) corresponding to the C-terminal end of alpha-MSH. It is studied in melanocortin and NF-kB-pathway signaling research and is supplied for research use only.
Why is KPV interesting despite being so small?
Because a three-amino-acid fragment appears to keep much of alpha-MSH’s NF-kB-pathway signaling while dropping the pigmentation activity of the full hormone. That focus is what makes it a useful research probe.
How does KPV relate to alpha-MSH?
KPV is residues 11 to 13 of alpha-MSH, its C-terminal tail. Researchers study it as the minimal fragment that carries the hormone’s NF-kB-pathway signal. Our KPV research guide walks through that fragment, the signaling studies behind it and its 2026 regulatory status.
What is KPV’s sequence and molecular weight?
Its sequence is Lys-Pro-Val, its formula is C16H30N4O4, and its molecular weight is about 342.4 g/mol, with CAS number 67727-97-3.
Is KPV FDA approved?
No, KPV is not FDA approved as a drug. In 2026 an FDA advisory committee recommended it for a compounding list, but that is not an approval. This material is a research-use-only reference peptide, not for human or veterinary use.
How is KPV different from BPC-157 or GHK-Cu?
They are separate peptides studied for different pathways. KPV research focuses on alpha-MSH-related NF-kB-pathway signaling; BPC-157 on gastric-derived tissue signaling; GHK-Cu on copper-tripeptide biology.
How should KPV be stored?
Keep the powder frozen at -20°C and protected from light. Once prepared for research, store at 2-8°C and use within about two weeks.
How is this KPV verified?
It is tested to ≥99% purity by reverse-phase HPLC with mass-spec identity confirmation by an independent lab, and each batch ships with a certificate of analysis.
References
- NF-kB-pathway signaling of the core and C-terminal (KPV) alpha-MSH peptides. 2003. PMID: 12750433.
- Melanocortin-derived tripeptide KPV in a murine gut-epithelial signaling model. 2008. PMID: 18092346.
- Songok AC, et al. Structural modification of the tripeptide KPV by reductive “glycoalkylation” of the lysine residue. 2018. PMID: 29953505.
