CAS: 67727-97-3 · MW: 342.4 Da · Purity: ≥99% by reverse-phase HPLC · Format: 10 mg powder · Identity: ESI-MS confirmed
KPV is one of the smallest signaling peptides in research, just three amino acids. It is the tail end of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (alpha-MSH), the fragment that carries much of the hormone’s anti-inflammatory signaling while leaving its pigment-related activity behind. Each vial holds 10 mg of freeze-dried powder, supplied for anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial research.
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 can quiet inflammatory signaling, plus a separate antimicrobial thread.
- Alpha-MSH fragment. KPV is the C-terminal tripeptide of alpha-MSH, carrying anti-inflammatory signaling without the pigment activity [PMID: 12750433].
- Distinct mechanism. Work dissected its anti-inflammatory effect as different from the core alpha-MSH peptides [PMID: 12750433].
- Intestinal models. It has been studied in murine models of inflammatory bowel disease [PMID: 18092346].
- Cellular uptake. PepT1-mediated uptake of KPV and its link to intestinal inflammation has been examined [PMID: 18061177].
- Antimicrobial thread. Alpha-MSH and its C-terminal sequences have shown antimicrobial activity [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 bacteriostatic or sterile water |
| Classification |
Research use only |
Storage & Handling
Store the sealed vial frozen at -20°C, away from light, until use. Once reconstituted, keep the solution at 2-8°C and use it 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.
Storage and Handling Guide
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.
Quality & Testing
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 anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial 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 anti-inflammatory 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 anti-inflammatory signal.
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 anti-inflammatory signaling; BPC-157 on gastric-derived repair; GHK-Cu on copper-peptide biology.
How should KPV be stored?
Keep the powder frozen at -20°C and protected from light. Once reconstituted 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 has a published certificate of analysis.
References
- Dissection of the anti-inflammatory effect of the core and C-terminal (KPV) alpha-MSH peptides. 2003. PMID: 12750433.
- Melanocortin-derived tripeptide KPV has anti-inflammatory potential in murine models of inflammatory bowel disease. 2008. PMID: 18092346.
- PepT1-mediated tripeptide KPV uptake reduces intestinal inflammation. 2009. PMID: 18061177.
