What is Pancragen?
Pancragen is a synthetic tetrapeptide bioregulator with the sequence Lys-Glu-Asp-Trp (KEDW), designed as a defined analogue of short peptides isolated from pancreatic tissue. It is one of the Khavinson bioregulators and is studied in models of pancreatic islet cells, exocrine tissue and glucose-handling pathways.
The tryptophan residue makes Pancragen the heaviest of the tetrapeptides in the series, at roughly 577 g/mol, and gives it a useful UV absorbance for analytical work. GenoPept supplies Pancragen UK laboratories as a 20mg lyophilised vial for in-vitro research. The origin of the series and the naming of each tissue-specific peptide are covered in the GenoPept Khavinson bioregulator guide.
Pancragen research applications
Research on this peptide is confined to preclinical settings, chiefly cell culture and rodent models, with a focus on pancreas and pancreatic islet cells. The areas below summarise where the published literature has investigated the KEDW sequence.
Pancreatic islet and beta-cell culture
Pancragen has been investigated in cultured islet cells and beta-cell lines, with reported endpoints including proliferation, insulin-gene expression and markers of endocrine differentiation.
Glucose-metabolism models
Research explores whether the KEDW tetrapeptide alters glucose-handling parameters in rodent models of metabolic dysfunction. Such findings are early-stage and not extrapolated to people.
Pancreatic tissue ageing
Preclinical work examines Pancragen in aged animals and long-term organ cultures, measuring endocrine-cell density and transcription of genes tied to islet function.
Digestive-system peptide panels
Pancragen is frequently studied with Livagen and Ovagen to compare tissue-specific responses across liver, gut and pancreas cell models.
Mechanism of action (preclinical)
Pancragen is proposed to act via nuclear gene regulation, consistent with the model for other ultra-short Khavinson peptides. The Lys-Glu-Asp-Trp sequence is thought to enter cells, reach the nucleus and interact with DNA or histones to modulate the expression of genes involved in islet-cell function and renewal. Cell-culture research has reported increased expression of endocrine differentiation markers and proliferation-related proteins in pancreatic cells. The aromatic tryptophan residue is also of interest for its potential to influence binding, but no specific molecular target has been confirmed.
Pancragen product specifications
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Compound | Pancragen |
| Also known as | Pancragen peptide, KEDW peptide, Lys-Glu-Asp-Trp, pancreatic bioregulator |
| Sequence / class | 4-amino-acid synthetic tetrapeptide (Lys-Glu-Asp-Trp, KEDW) |
| Molecular formula | C26H36N6O9 |
| Molecular weight | 576.6 g/mol (calculated from sequence) |
| Form | Lyophilised powder, sealed sterile glass vial, black cap |
| Available sizes | 20mg vial |
| Purity | ≥99% (HPLC) |
| Verification | HPLC purity and LC-MS identity by independent ISO/IEC 17025 laboratory (Puralytix), batch COA |
| Storage (unopened) | –20 °C long term; 2–8 °C short term, protect from light |
| Intended use | In-vitro laboratory research only |
Available sizes
- 20mg vial (lyophilised powder)
One size is available to UK laboratories. For multi-vial studies, bulk boxes of 10 save 20–50% and wholesale enquiries are handled via our bulk and wholesale page.
Reconstitution, handling and storage (laboratory)
Pancragen is supplied as a lyophilised powder and should be reconstituted only under laboratory conditions. Use bacteriostatic water or a sterile diluent appropriate to your assay. Add the solvent slowly down the inside wall of the vial, swirl gently until the powder dissolves and never shake, as agitation can degrade short peptides. Detailed steps are in our guide to reconstituting research peptides.
Unopened vials should be stored at –20 °C for long-term use, or at 2–8 °C for short periods, protected from light. After reconstitution, keep the solution at 2–8 °C and use it within the period stated in your laboratory protocol. See how to store research peptides for a full summary. Wear gloves and eye protection, work in a clean environment and dispose of residues according to local laboratory rules.
Quality assurance and Certificate of Analysis
Short peptides such as Pancragen are easy to mislabel, so identity testing matters as much as purity. Each batch is analysed by Puralytix (ISO/IEC 17025) with HPLC for purity of 99% or above and LC-MS to confirm the molecular mass of the Lys-Glu-Asp-Trp sequence. The lot-specific Certificate of Analysis is linked from this page and archived in our COA library; see what a Certificate of Analysis shows for guidance.
Related research compounds
- Livagen 20mg – the liver tetrapeptide commonly paired with Pancragen in digestive-system panels
- Ovagen 20mg – the liver and gut tripeptide used as a second digestive comparator
- Vilon 20mg – the thymic dipeptide used as a non-pancreatic control
- MOTS-c Mitochondrial Peptide – a mitochondrial peptide studied in metabolic and glucose-handling models
Pancragen frequently asked questions
What is Pancragen used for in research?
Pancragen is used in laboratory research on pancreatic islet cells, beta-cell lines and rodent metabolic models. Investigators apply the Lys-Glu-Asp-Trp tetrapeptide to study proliferation, insulin-gene expression, endocrine differentiation and age-related changes in pancreatic tissue. GenoPept supplies it strictly for in-vitro research, not as a treatment.
What purity and format does GenoPept Pancragen have?
Pancragen is supplied as 20mg of lyophilised powder in a sealed, sterile glass vial with a black cap and lot-numbered label. Each batch is analysed by an independent ISO/IEC 17025 laboratory, with HPLC purity of 99% or higher and LC-MS identity confirmation documented on the batch Certificate of Analysis.
How should Pancragen be stored?
Keep unopened Pancragen at minus 20 degrees Celsius for long-term storage, or at 2 to 8 degrees Celsius short term, protected from light. Tryptophan-containing peptides are light-sensitive, so keep vials in their packaging. After reconstitution store at 2 to 8 degrees Celsius and use within your protocol’s stated period.
Is Pancragen for human use?
No. Pancragen is for in-vitro laboratory research only. It is not a medicine, not for human or veterinary use and not for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes. GenoPept provides no dosing or administration information and sells only to those carrying out legitimate research in the UK.
Why does Pancragen absorb UV light more strongly than other bioregulators?
Pancragen contains a tryptophan residue, whose indole ring absorbs strongly at around 280 nm. Most other Khavinson peptides, such as Vilon or Cartalax, contain no aromatic residues and are difficult to detect by UV without derivatisation. This makes Pancragen easier to quantify by standard UV-HPLC in the laboratory.
Research use only. Pancragen is supplied strictly for in-vitro laboratory research. Not for human or veterinary use, not a medicine, and not for diagnostic or therapeutic use. Full terms: research use only and UK legal status of research peptides.
Research guides: Khavinson Peptide Bioregulators
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