Description
What Is KPV? (In Plain English)
KPV is a very small peptide — just three building blocks long. Think of it as the last three letters snipped off the end of a much longer word: the word is a natural body signal called alpha-MSH, and KPV is its tail. Scientists study KPV in dishes and in mice to learn how such a tiny fragment can still quiet down cells that are acting irritated.
KPV — Research Overview
KPV is the C-terminal tripeptide of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (alpha-MSH 11-13), with the sequence Lys-Pro-Val. The literature describes it as retaining much of the anti-inflammatory signalling profile of the parent hormone while lacking its pigmentary activity, and reports activity that appears largely independent of classical melanocortin receptor binding. Published in vitro work associates KPV with interference in NF-kappaB and MAPK inflammatory signalling cascades, and with uptake into intestinal epithelial cells via the PepT1 oligopeptide transporter.
Primary Research Areas
- Inflammatory signalling — investigated in cell models for its reported effect on NF-kappaB nuclear translocation and downstream cytokine transcription.
- Mucosal and gastrointestinal models — studied in rodent colitis models, where PepT1-mediated epithelial uptake is a frequent research question.
- Dermatological and wound models — referenced in the literature in in vitro skin and fibroblast systems examining irritation markers.
- Antimicrobial peptide research — alpha-MSH C-terminal fragments have been examined in vitro against organisms including Candida albicans and Staphylococcus aureus.
- Peptide transporter biology — used as a probe substrate in studies of PepT1 expression and function.
Specifications
- Compound: KPV (Lys-Pro-Val; alpha-MSH 11-13 tripeptide)
- Molecular formula: C16H30N4O4
- Molecular weight: ~342.4 g/mol
- Presentation: Lyophilized powder, sealed vial
- Quantity: Single lyophilized vial — see listing options for fill weight
- Storage: Store lyophilized vials cold and protected from light. Reconstituted material is stored refrigerated per standard laboratory practice.
Related Research Peptides
Laboratories working with KPV frequently run it alongside other compounds studied in tissue-repair and inflammatory-signalling models, including KPV 10mg, BPC-157 and TB-500. Thymic fragment research often pairs it with TA-1.
Why Researchers Source KPV from Dissolv Labs
Dissolv Labs is a research-supply company based in Southern California. Orders are picked, packed, and shipped domestically from our SoCal facility, so most U.S. laboratories see short transit times and no international customs delay.
Every vial ships as a complete kit. Each KPV vial is paired with its own bacteriostatic water reconstitution vial, so the material arrives ready to prepare in the lab without a separate diluent order. Compounds are supplied lyophilized in sealed, labeled vials with lot identification, and analytical documentation is available on request.
KPV — Frequently Asked Questions
What is KPV used for?
KPV is supplied strictly as a research chemical for in vitro and laboratory research applications. The literature investigates it primarily in inflammatory-signalling, mucosal and antimicrobial model systems. It is not for human or veterinary use.
What is KPV, and how does it differ from alpha-MSH?
Alpha-MSH is a thirteen-residue hormone; KPV is only its final three residues. Research reports indicate the fragment retains much of the parent molecule's signalling behaviour in inflammatory assays without the melanocortin-receptor-driven pigmentary activity studied for full-length alpha-MSH analogues. That separation is a large part of why the fragment is used as a research tool.
What form does KPV ship in?
KPV ships as a lyophilized white powder in a sealed, lot-labeled vial. Each order includes a matched BAC Water 3ml reconstitution vial, so no separate diluent purchase is required. Vials should be kept cold and shielded from light until prepared.
Where can I buy KPV research peptide?
KPV is available for sale directly from Dissolv Labs, shipping domestically from our Southern California facility. Every order arrives as a complete kit with its reconstitution vial included, and analytical documentation can be requested for any lot.
Research Use Only
KPV is sold exclusively as a Research Use Only (RUO) chemical. It is not a drug, supplement, cosmetic, or food, and it is not intended for human or veterinary use, ingestion, injection, topical application, or any form of consumption. It is intended solely for licensed laboratory research by qualified professionals. Dissolv Labs makes no medical, therapeutic, or diagnostic claims of any kind. By purchasing, the buyer confirms they are a qualified researcher and accepts full responsibility for lawful handling, use, and disposal.
Bacteriostatic (BAC) water is included free with every order.
Specifications
- Form: Lyophilized (freeze-dried) powder, sealed vial
- Appearance: White to off-white
- Purity: ≥99%, verified by HPLC
- Identity: Confirmed by mass spectrometry
- Testing: Independent third-party laboratory, every batch
- Documentation: Batch-specific COA available on request
Exact quantity and concentration are listed in the product title and variant options above. The figures above are release specifications — the measured result for your particular lot is stated on its Certificate of Analysis.
Documentation & Testing
Every batch is tested before release. Testing covers four checks: identity by mass spectrometry, purity by HPLC against a ≥99% release threshold, content verification against the labelled mass, and batch release tied to a specific lot number.
To request the Certificate of Analysis for your vial, email us with your order number or the lot number printed on the label. We do not gate documentation behind a form or a purchase.
New to reading a COA? Our plain-English guide decodes every line, and the full process is documented on our Quality & Testing page.
Handling & Storage
Lyophilized peptides are relatively stable during transit. Arriving at room temperature is not cause for concern — the cold pack is a margin of safety rather than a pass/fail condition.
Sealed vials of lyophilized material are typically stored refrigerated or frozen and protected from light. Handling protocols for a specific compound are determined by the researcher and their institution; we supply the material and its documentation.
Shipping & Returns
Orders placed before the daily cut-off are dispatched the same business day from Southern California in insulated packaging with ice packs. Tracking is issued at dispatch.
If a shipment arrives damaged, if vial contents appear inconsistent with the specification, or if the lot number on your vial does not match the certificate we provide, contact us and we will resolve it.
Because these are temperature-sensitive laboratory materials, opened vials cannot be returned to stock.
Questions
Straight answers about documentation, shipping, and what Research Use Only means.