What is VESUGEN?
Vesugen is a short synthetic peptide classified among the short-peptide bioregulators — a group of low-molecular-weight peptides associated with the work of Vladimir Khavinson and colleagues, originally characterized in connection with peptide fractions derived from vascular tissue extracts. It is catalogued under CAS number 204271-66-9 and carries the molecular formula C15H26N4O8 with a molecular weight of 390.39 g/mol.
Structurally, Vesugen is a linear tripeptide composed of three L-amino acid residues in the sequence lysine-glutamic acid-aspartic acid (L-Lys-L-Glu-L-Asp), commonly abbreviated "KED." The molecule presents free N- and C-termini and contains no disulfide bridges, cyclization, or non-standard residues, making it a compact and chemically simple peptide relative to larger polypeptides. Its modest size — three residues — places it within the category of short-peptide bioregulators rather than folded, structured proteins.
Within the scientific literature, Vesugen (KED) is studied as a representative member of the Khavinson short-peptide series, a research area concerned with the in-vitro and model-system behavior of tissue-derived peptide fragments. American Peptides supplies Vesugen strictly as a reference material for in-vitro and laboratory investigation. This listing makes no representation regarding physiological activity, and the product is intended for research use only — not for human or veterinary use, diagnostic application, or consumption.
Reconstitution & handling
Vesugen is provided as a lyophilized (freeze-dried) solid and is typically reconstituted in the laboratory prior to analytical work. As a small, highly polar tripeptide bearing ionizable side chains from lysine (basic) and both glutamic and aspartic acid (acidic), KED is generally water-soluble, and bacteriostatic water or sterile water is a common solvent choice for preparing stock solutions. The peptide vial should be brought to room temperature before opening to minimize condensation on the cold solid, and the chosen diluent should be added slowly against the side of the vial rather than directly onto the powder.
Gentle swirling or slow rotation is preferred over vigorous vortexing or shaking, which can introduce shear and foaming; the material should be allowed to dissolve fully into a clear, particulate-free solution. Because the free N- and C-termini together with the acidic and basic side chains make solubility and net charge pH-dependent, buffer selection and solution pH should be documented for reproducibility. All reconstitution is performed under aseptic technique in an appropriate laboratory setting. No dosing or administration guidance is provided or implied.
Storage & stability
In its lyophilized form, Vesugen is best stored sealed and protected from light, moisture, and heat; short-term handling at refrigerated temperatures and longer-term storage at or below -20 C are typical practices for short peptides and help preserve integrity over extended periods. Once reconstituted, the peptide is less stable in solution and should be kept refrigerated, used promptly, and protected from repeated freeze-thaw cycles, which can degrade peptide material; aliquoting the stock solution before freezing reduces this stress. As a general rule, always follow the specific storage conditions listed on the certificate of analysis (COA) and product documentation accompanying each lot.
How it's tested
Identity and purity of Vesugen are confirmed through standard analytical peptide chemistry. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) is used to quantify chromatographic purity, with each lot specified at greater than or equal to 99%, while mass spectrometry (MS) confirms molecular identity by verifying the observed mass against the expected 390.39 g/mol for the C15H26N4O8 tripeptide. These results, along with lot-specific data, are documented on a certificate of analysis (COA) available for the material, allowing researchers to verify identity, purity, and specification before use.