Description
Pancragen is a synthetic tetrapeptide bioregulator with the sequence Lys-Glu-Asp-Trp (KEDW), developed by Professor Vladimir Khavinson at the St. Petersburg Institute of Bioregulation and Gerontology from bovine pancreatic tissue extract. It is the pancreas-targeted member of the Khavinson bioregulator series, sharing the same intranuclear DNA-binding mechanism as other tissue-specific bioregulators in this class while operating exclusively in pancreatic cell populations. As a specialty research peptide studied through the same epigenetic framework as Prostamax and other organ-specific Khavinson bioregulators, Pancragen is distinguished by its pancreas-specific gene expression targets and its dual endocrine-exocrine tissue profile.
Chemical Information
- Chemical Name: Pancragen (Lys-Glu-Asp-Trp; KEDW tetrapeptide)
- Also Known As: KEDW; pancreatic bioregulator tetrapeptide
- Compound Class: Khavinson series synthetic tetrapeptide bioregulator
- Sequence: Lys-Glu-Asp-Trp
- Molecular Weight: 576.25 g/mol
- CAS Number: 8057-49-6
- Tissue Target: Pancreatic tissue (endocrine islets and exocrine acinar compartments)
- Mechanism Class: Intranuclear peptide-DNA interaction; gene promoter binding
- Production: Solid-phase peptide synthesis (SPPS)
Applications
- Pancreatic differentiation transcription factor research. Pancragen has been documented to modulate expression of Ptf1a, Pdx1, Pax6, Foxa2, Nkx2.2, and Pax4 in preclinical pancreatic cell models; these are established master regulators of pancreatic cell identity and differentiation, making Pancragen a research tool for studying how short peptide sequences influence the transcriptional programs governing beta cell and acinar cell phenotype
- Endocrine pancreas gene regulation studies. The islets of Langerhans compartment is the primary endocrine research focus; Pancragen modulates gene expression programs in beta cell populations through intranuclear DNA binding, making it relevant in models studying how gene-level regulation affects endocrine cell function independently of receptor-mediated signaling pathways
- Exocrine pancreas biology research. Unlike most pancreatic research tools that focus exclusively on endocrine function, Pancragen addresses both compartments. Acinar cell gene expression and pancreatic exocrine function are separately studied research territories that Pancragen engages through the same intranuclear mechanism
- Khavinson bioregulator structure-activity research. The KEDW sequence shares the Lys-Glu-Asp N-terminal motif with Vesugen (KED) and Prostamax (KEDP), placing Pancragen in a KED-family SAR context. Researchers studying how C-terminal variation on the shared KED scaffold affects tissue targeting and gene expression specificity use Pancragen as part of this comparative series
- Aging biology and endocrine tissue research. The Goncharova et al. 2014 study examined Pancragen effects in aged rhesus monkeys, documenting effects on endocrine pancreatic function parameters. Researchers studying age-related changes in pancreatic gene expression use this data as the primary primate model reference
Storage and Handling
Store as lyophilized powder under refrigeration, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. As a tetrapeptide, Pancragen is susceptible to proteolytic degradation under suboptimal storage conditions. Reconstitute immediately before use and avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles to maintain compound integrity.
Compliance Notice
Pancragen is for laboratory research use only. It is not for human or veterinary use and carries no therapeutic, diagnostic, or clinical indication. FDA has not evaluated this product. By purchasing this product, the buyer confirms that they will follow appropriate institutional safety procedures and use it exclusively for controlled research.
