Vesugen: Everything You Need To Know

Introduction to Vesugen

Vesugen is a synthetic tripeptide with the amino acid sequence H-Lys-Glu-Asp-OH (KED) designed for research applications. With a molecular formula of C13H24N4O6 and a molecular weight of 390.39 g/mol, this compound is primarily studied for its potential effects on vascular and neurological health. Vesugen is supplied as a lyophilized solid with 99% purity, making it suitable for controlled laboratory research environments.

Chemical Structure and Properties

• Sequence: H-Lys-Glu-Asp-OH (KED)
• Molecular Formula: C13H24N4O6
• Molecular Weight: 390.39 g/mol
• Form: Lyophilized powder
• Purity: 99%
• Catalogue Number: VES10-001 (as per supplier information)

Vesugen contains three amino acids: Lysine (K), Glutamic Acid (E), and Aspartic Acid (D). This specific amino acid combination may contribute to its biological activity profile of interest to researchers.

Potential Research Mechanisms

While specific mechanisms for Vesugen are still being investigated, tripeptides with similar compositions have demonstrated several potential activities:

1. Vascular endothelial interaction: May influence endothelial cell function and angiogenesis pathways
2. Neurotransmitter modulation: Potential to affect glutamate and other neurotransmitter systems due to its Glu and Asp content
3. Cell signalling: Possible role in modulating intracellular calcium signalling and related pathways
4. Antioxidant properties: Some KED-containing peptides have shown free radical scavenging capabilities in preliminary studies

Research Applications and Models

Researchers studying Vesugen and similar tripeptides typically employ:

1. In vitro models:
   • Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) for vascular studies
   • Neuronal cell lines (SH-SY5Y, PC12) for neurological investigations
   • Primary cell cultures from various tissues
2. Ex vivo models:
   • Isolated vessel segments for vascular reactivity
   • Brain tissue slices for neurological research
3. In vivo research:
   • Rodent models for studying vascular function
   • Neurobehavioral testing in appropriate animal models

Detailed Research Dosages

Research dosages vary by experimental design, but common concentrations include:

In vitro studies:

• Cell culture applications: 1-100 μM (typically starting with dose-response experiments)
• Acute exposure: 10-50 μM for 24-48 hours
• Chronic exposure: 1-10 μM for extended studies (3-14 days)

Ex vivo applications:

• Tissue bath experiments: 0.1-50 μg/mL in physiological buffer solutions
• Perfusion studies: 0.5-20 μg/mL in perfusate

In vivo research (based on similar peptides):

• Mice: 0.1-2 mg/kg via intraperitoneal injection
• Rats: 0.05-1 mg/kg via intravenous administration
• Larger mammals: Scaled according to body surface area calculations

Comprehensive Reconstitution Protocol

For optimal reconstitution of Vesugen:

1. Materials needed:
   • Sterile water for injection or appropriate buffer
   • Sterile pipettes and tips
   • Microcentrifuge tubes for aliquoting
2. Step-by-step process:
   • Allow the vial to reach room temperature before opening
   • Add sterile water or buffer slowly down the side of the vial
   • Gently swirl (do not shake) until completely dissolved
   • For a 10mg vial, reconstitution with 1mL yields a 10mg/mL solution
3. Stability after reconstitution:
   • Immediate use: Store at 2-8°C for up to 7 days
   • Long-term storage: Aliquot and store at -20°C for up to 3 months
   • Avoid more than 2 freeze-thaw cycles

Research Considerations and Technical Notes

1. Solution compatibility:
   • pH sensitivity: Optimal stability between pH 6.5-7.5
   • Compatible with most common cell culture media and physiological buffers
   • May precipitate in solutions with high salt concentration
2. Analytical techniques commonly used:
   • HPLC for purity verification
   • Mass spectrometry for identity confirmation
   • Circular dichroism for structural analysis
3. Handling precautions:
   • Use an aseptic technique when preparing solutions for cell culture
   • Minimize exposure to strong light and oxidizing agents
   • Document lot numbers and storage conditions for experimental reproducibility

Similar Research Peptides and Comparative Studies

Researchers interested in Vesugen may also explore related peptides:

1. KPV tripeptide (Lys-Pro-Val): Studied for anti-inflammatory properties
2. Glutathione (γ-L-Glutamyl-L-cysteinyl glycine): Well-known tripeptide with antioxidant properties
3. Thymogen (L-Glu-L-Trp): Dipeptide studied for immunomodulatory effects

Relevant Research Resources and References

While specific Vesugen publications may be limited, researchers can refer to these resources for tripeptide research methodology:

1. PubMed Database: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/ – Search for “bioactive tripeptides” or “KED peptide”
2. Journal of Peptide Science: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/10991387 – Publishes research on synthetic peptides and their applications
3. Frontiers in Pharmacology – Peptide Therapeutics section: https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/pharmacology/sections/peptide-therapeutics
4. BioMed Research International: Has published several articles on tripeptide research methodologies
5. ChEMBL Database: https://www.ebi.ac.uk/chembl/ – May contain information on similar peptide structures and their biological activities

Laboratory Protocols and Methods

For researchers working with Vesugen, these general protocols may be adapted:

1. Cell viability assays: MTT, XTT, or WST-1 assays at concentrations ranging from 0.1-100 μM
2. Angiogenesis assays:
   • Tube formation assay using HUVECs (5-25 μM)
   • Scratch wound healing assay (1-20 μM)
3. Calcium imaging:
   • Fura-2 AM loading followed by treatment with Vesugen (1-50 μM)
   • Analysis of calcium transients before and after peptide application
4. Western blotting:
   • Treatment of cells with 1-25 μM for various time points (30 min – 24 h)
   • Analysis of phosphorylation states of relevant signalling proteins

Legal and Ethical Framework

Researchers working with Vesugen should adhere to:

1. Institutional guidelines: Follow all institutional research ethics protocols
2. Regional regulations: Comply with local laws regarding research chemicals
3. Documentation requirements: Maintain detailed records of:
   • Acquisition Source and date
   • Storage conditions
   • Experimental protocols
   • Results and observations

Conclusion

Vesugen represents an area of ongoing research in peptide science. As a synthetic tripeptide with potential applications in vascular and neurological research, it offers opportunities for scientific exploration in controlled laboratory settings. While published literature specifically on Vesugen may be limited, the methodologies and approaches used for similar tripeptides provide a framework for designing rigorous research protocols.

For researchers interested in exploring this compound further, maintaining connections with the broader peptide research community and staying updated on advances in analytical techniques will be valuable in maximizing Vesugen’s potential in various research applications.