Description
Testagen is the synthetic tetrapeptide Lys-Glu-Asp-Gly (KEDG), a St Petersburg bioregulator that its developers link to the male reproductive system, although published work on it is mostly DNA-binding chemistry, cell experiments and one study in chickens. Pure Peptides Canada supplies it as a lyophilized research reagent in 20 mg vials, priced in CAD and shipped tracked from inside Canada.
Testagen at a glance
- What it is: the tetrapeptide KEDG, linked to testis tissue in the Khavinson group’s literature.
- What researchers study: uptake into cell nuclei, sequence-selective binding to DNA and histones, immune-cell differentiation, and comparisons with Epithalon (AEDG), which differs only in its first residue.
- Evidence level: mostly cell-free binding studies and a few cell experiments, plus one chicken study, from the developers and their collaborators; we found no testis experiment and no controlled human trials. Not an approved medicine.
- Supplied as: sealed lyophilized powder, 20 mg, single vial or box of 10.
- Delivery: Xpresspost in 3–7 days ($25 CAD), or free shipping in 4–12 days on orders over $299.
Testagen
Lys-Glu-Asp-Gly · KEDG · bioregulator tetrapeptide
- K
- E
- D
- G
One-letter code, N-terminus to C-terminus.
- Length
- 4 amino acids
- Molecular formula
- C17H29N5O9
- Molecular weight
- ≈ 447.4 g/mol
- Form
- Lyophilized powder, sealed vial
- Sizes
- 20 mg (single or box of 10)
- SKU
- PP-TESTAGEN
Where the evidence stands
- Cell studies
- Animal models
- Controlled human trials
- Approved medicine
Published work is mostly cell culture and molecular modelling from the Khavinson research network.
What is Testagen?
Testagen was synthesized at the St Petersburg Institute of Bioregulation and Gerontology, and the group’s 2021 review lists it under regulation of male reproductive system function (Khavinson et al., Molecules, 2021). Structurally it sits where two families meet. It shares the Lys-Glu-Asp start of the KED tetrapeptides Livagen (KEDA), Pancragen (KEDW) and Prostamax (KEDP), and its last three residues are the tripeptide Chonluten (EDG). Replace the N-terminal lysine with alanine and the result is Epithalon (AEDG), so the Testagen–Epithalon pair isolates the effect of one positively charged side chain.
The tissue label is less settled than the name suggests. A 2008 study described the same KEDG sequence as designed from the amino-acid composition of pituitary peptide extracts and tested it on the thyroid axis of chickens (Kuznik et al., Bulletin of Experimental Biology and Medicine, 2008), and none of the three papers the 2021 review cites for Testagen is a testis study. Most of the remaining data are cell-free chemistry, nearly all of it with at least one author from Khavinson’s network.
What published studies report
- Entry into cell nuclei (2011): fluorescein-labelled Testagen added to HeLa cells, a human cervical cancer line, was seen in the cytoplasm and nucleus, though its nuclear signal was weaker than that of labelled Pinealon or Epithalon (Fedoreyeva et al., Biochemistry (Moscow), 2011). The fluorescent tag is almost as heavy as the peptide itself, and uptake alone says nothing about function.
- DNA and histone binding (2011, 2021): in the same paper Testagen bound all the simple repeat oligonucleotides tested, oligo(dGC) more strongly than the rest, preferred CAG-containing sequences, and bound methylated cytosine more weakly than unmethylated cytosine (Fedoreyeva et al., 2011). The group’s 2021 review adds that KEDG binds wheat histones H1, H2B, H3 and H4 in vitro (Khavinson et al., Molecules, 2021). Cell-free assays.
- Predicted DNA site (2016): computer docking predicted strong binding of KEDG to the sequence CAAC (Khavinson et al., Bulletin of Experimental Biology and Medicine, 2016). Modelling only.
- Chicken thyroid axis (2008): neonatally hypophysectomized chickens given KEDG or AEDG for 40 days had higher thyrotropin and thyroid hormone concentrations and recovery of thyroid structure (Kuznik et al., Bulletin of Experimental Biology and Medicine, 2008). One bird study with endocrine rather than reproductive endpoints; the abstract does not report group sizes.
- Immune-cell differentiation (2020 review): the developers’ review reports that KEDG stimulated differentiation of human CD34+ progenitor cells toward mature T lymphocytes and NK cells, citing the group’s earlier work (Khavinson et al., Stem Cell Reviews and Reports, 2020). A secondary summary of the group’s own data.
Reported in studies
- Uptake of a fluorescent-labelled form into HeLa cell nuclei
- Sequence- and methylation-selective binding to synthetic DNA
- Thyroid-axis changes in hypophysectomized chickens
- Immune-cell differentiation in culture, per the developers’ review
Not established
- Any effect on testis cells or male reproductive endpoints in a controlled study
- Whether the unlabelled peptide reaches the nucleus
- How DNA binding would translate into gene regulation
- Replication outside the developers’ network, and any effect in humans
Regulatory status: Testagen is not an authorized drug in Canada, and Health Canada regulates injectable peptides as prescription drugs. We sell it strictly as a laboratory reagent for in-vitro research.
Ordering Testagen from Pure Peptides Canada
Choose a single vial or a box of 10 above.
Testagen FAQ
What is the sequence of Testagen?
Testagen is the tetrapeptide Lys-Glu-Asp-Gly, written KEDG in one-letter code, with a molecular weight of about 447.4 g/mol.
Where can I buy Testagen in Canada?
Pure Peptides Canada stocks Testagen as a lyophilized research reagent in 20 mg vials and ships it tracked from inside Canada, by Xpresspost in 3–7 days or free in 4–12 days on orders over $299.
How is Testagen different from Livagen?
They share the first three residues, Lys-Glu-Asp. Testagen ends in glycine (KEDG) and Livagen in alanine (KEDA).
What has Testagen been studied in?
Mostly cell-free experiments on DNA and histone binding, uptake into HeLa cell nuclei, and one study of the thyroid axis in hypophysectomized chickens. We found no peer-reviewed study of the synthetic peptide in testis tissue and no peer-reviewed controlled trial in people.
How do I get the certificate of analysis?
Ask for the report for your batch when you order, or check the Lab Testing page. Our COA guide explains how to read it.
Can Testagen be used in people or animals?
No. This product is for in-vitro laboratory research only and is not a drug, supplement or food. We do not provide dosing or administration information.
References
- Fedoreyeva LI, Kireev II, Khavinson VKh, Vanyushin BF. Penetration of short fluorescence-labeled peptides into the nucleus in HeLa cells and in vitro specific interaction of the peptides with deoxyribooligonucleotides and DNA. Biochemistry (Mosc). 2011;76(11):1210–1219. DOI
- Kuznik BI, Pateyuk AV, Rusaeva NS. Effect of tetrapeptides Lys-Glu-Asp-Gly and Ala-Glu-Asp-Gly on the structure and function of the thyroid gland in neonatally hypophysectomized chickens. Bull Exp Biol Med. 2008;145(1):104–107. DOI
- Khavinson VKh, Lin’kova NS, Tarnovskaya SI. Short peptides regulate gene expression. Bull Exp Biol Med. 2016;162(2):288–292. DOI
- Khavinson V, Linkova N, Diatlova A, Trofimova S. Peptide regulation of cell differentiation. Stem Cell Rev Rep. 2020;16(1):118–125. DOI
- Khavinson VK, Popovich IG, Linkova NS, Mironova ES, Ilina AR. Peptide regulation of gene expression: a systematic review. Molecules. 2021;26(22):7053. DOI
For laboratory research use only. Not a drug, supplement, food or cosmetic, not for human or veterinary use, and not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
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