🧬 Tetrapeptide Bioregulator • Epigenetic

Livagen (KEDA)

Ultrashort tetrapeptide bioregulator studied for its ability to loosen age-condensed chromatin and normalize gene activity in older cells through epigenetic remodeling.

Sequence K-E-D-A MW ~461.5 Da PubChem 87919683

⚡ Executive Summary

Livagen (KEDA: Lys-Glu-Asp-Ala) is a tetrapeptide bioregulator investigated for epigenetic effects — specifically, opening compacted chromatin to restore youthful gene expression in aging cells. Studies report chromatin decondensation, improved protein synthesis rhythms, hepatoprotective and immunomodulatory effects, and potent inhibition of enkephalin-degrading enzymes (without opioid receptor binding). Research use only; not FDA approved.

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01 Overview 02 Properties 03 Mechanism 04 Evidence 05 Handling 06 Comparison 📋

Overview

🧬 What is Livagen?

Livagen is an ultrashort tetrapeptide bioregulator (sequence: Lys-Glu-Asp-Ala) derived from peptide-bioregulator research in gerontology.

Its defining action is remodeling heterochromatin — reversing age-related chromatin compaction that represses gene transcription.

🎯 Key Actions

• 🔓 Chromatin opening — de-heterochromatinization
• 📈 Gene reactivation — ribosomal genes, rDNA
• 🛡️ Enkephalinase inhibition — without receptor binding

⚠️

Research only: Livagen is an experimental research compound, not an approved drug. Clinical-grade trials are limited; most evidence is preclinical or ex vivo.

🔬

Entity Properties

Aliases	Livagen, KEDA tetrapeptide, “liver peptide bioregulator”
Sequence	Lys-Glu-Asp-Ala (K-E-D-A)
Length	4 amino acids
Molecular Formula	C₁₈H₃₁N₅O₉
Molecular Weight	~461.5 Da
PubChem CID	87919683
Family	Ultrashort peptide bioregulator; epigenetic remodeling
Diluent(s)	Bacteriostatic water (0.9% benzyl alcohol) or sterile saline
Concentration	20 mg + 2 mL = 10 mg/mL; 5 mg dose = 0.5 mL
Storage (dry)	Frozen ≤ −20°C, protected from light; stable long-term
Storage (solution)	Refrigerate; aliquot to minimize freeze-thaw; less stable

⚠️

CAS Note: No validated CAS exists for KEDA on PubChem. Do not use CAS 195875-84-4 — that belongs to tesofensine, not Livagen.

⚙️

Mechanism of Action

🧠 How does Livagen work?

Livagen’s primary action is remodeling chromatin — opening age-compacted regions (de-heterochromatinization) so key genes can be transcribed again. This reverses age-related chromatin condensation that silences transcription.

In human lymphocytes from older donors, Livagen activated ribosomal genes and relaxed pericentromeric heterochromatin — changes consistent with restoring protein-synthetic capacity.

🔓 Chromatin Opening

De-heterochromatinization of age-compacted DNA regions → genes become accessible for transcription

📈 Gene Reactivation

Ribosomal genes (rDNA) reactivated → restored protein-synthetic capacity in aged cells

🛡️ Enkephalinase Inhibition

Inhibits enkephalin-degrading enzymes (IC₅₀ ≈ 20 µM) without binding opioid receptors

💡

Unique mechanism: Unlike opioid drugs, Livagen preserves natural analgesic peptides (enkephalins) by blocking their breakdown — not by activating opioid receptors directly.

📊

Research Evidence

🔬 Key Preclinical Findings

🧬

Chromatin & Gene Activation

Human lymphocytes: decondensed heterochromatin, activated rDNA, restored transcription in aged cells

🔄

Protein Synthesis Rhythms

Rat hepatocytes: increased amplitude of protein-synthesis oscillations in old animals

🫁

Digestive Enzyme Modulation

Normalized GI enzyme activity in opposite directions by age (down in young, up in old)

💊

Oral Stability Signal

Weakly hydrolyzed by intestinal peptidases in rats — unusual for a peptide

🛡️

Hepatoprotective Effects

Normalized immune/antioxidant status and liver function in hepatitis/fibrosis models

🧠

Opioid System Support

Potent enkephalinase inhibition (IC₅₀ ≈ 20 µM) without μ/δ receptor binding

⚠️

Limitations: Most evidence is preclinical (cell cultures, animal models). Human clinical trials are limited. Related bioregulators (Thymalin, Epitalon) have broader clinical literature.

🧪

Research Handling

📘

Research use only. The following is educational guidance for laboratory handling — not medical advice or treatment protocols.

1

Confirm Identity

Verify sequence (KEDA), formula (C₁₈H₃₁N₅O₉), quality records. Archive supplier details.

2

Plan Concentration

Target 10 mg/mL: 20 mg + 2 mL diluent. Record batch, lot, date for traceability.

3

Reconstitute Gently

Inject bac water down vial wall; swirl don’t shake until dissolved. Avoid foaming.

4

Calculate Dose

At 10 mg/mL: 5 mg = 0.5 mL (50 units on U-100 syringe). Double-check math.

5

Aliquot & Store

Aliquot to minimize freeze-thaw. Powders at ≤ −20°C; solutions refrigerate short-term.

6

Monitor & Document

Track predefined markers (chromatin assays, enzyme activity). Record any deviations.

⚖️

Comparison

How does Livagen compare to other peptide bioregulators? Each has a distinct primary mechanism while sharing some epigenetic/immune effects.

Livagen

KEDA (Lys-Glu-Asp-Ala) 🔓 Chromatin + 🛡️ Liver/Immune

Chromatin de-heterochromatinization. Opens age-compacted DNA, reactivates ribosomal genes. Hepatoprotective. Potent enkephalinase inhibitor.

Epitalon

AEDG (Ala-Glu-Asp-Gly) 🧬 Telomerase + ⏰ Circadian

Telomerase activation. Telomere elongation in human somatic cells. Genomic stability focus. Weaker enkephalinase effect (IC₅₀ ≈ 500 µM).

Thymalin

Thymic complex (multiple peptides) 🛡️ Immune Regulation

Immune status normalization. Broader clinical literature. Used in immunopathologies and older/immunocompromised groups.

Vilon

KE (Lys-Glu) 🧬 Chromatin + 🛡️ Immune

Chromatin reactivation. Similar epigenetic mechanism to Livagen. Immune-modulation in models. Dipeptide (shorter than Livagen).

💡

Key distinction: Livagen emphasizes chromatin remodeling in immune/hepatic contexts; Epitalon emphasizes telomerase/telomeres; Thymalin/Vilon emphasize immune regulation.

❓

FAQ

What is Livagen? A tetrapeptide bioregulator (KEDA: Lys-Glu-Asp-Ala) studied for epigenetic effects in aging cells — specifically, opening compacted chromatin to restore gene activity. How does Livagen work? By remodeling chromatin — de-heterochromatinization opens age-compacted DNA regions so genes can be transcribed again. Also potently inhibits enkephalin-degrading enzymes without opioid receptor binding. Is there clinical evidence? Clinical-grade trials for Livagen are limited — most evidence is preclinical or ex vivo (human lymphocyte studies, animal models). Related bioregulators like Thymalin have broader clinical literature. Does it affect pain? Livagen inhibits enkephalin-degrading enzymes (IC₅₀ ≈ 20 µM), potentially preserving natural analgesic peptides. Crucially, it does NOT bind opioid receptors — distinct from opioid drugs. Is Livagen orally active? Livagen appears unusually resistant to intestinal hydrolysis in rat studies — small-intestine peptidases did not significantly degrade it. Human oral bioavailability hasn’t been established. How should it be stored? Lyophilized: frozen ≤ −20°C, protected from light. Solutions: refrigerate, aliquot to minimize freeze-thaw. Powders are far more stable than solutions. ✅

Bottom line: Livagen’s value proposition is epigenetic — selectively “opening” aging chromatin to restore gene activity, with preclinical signals across immune, hepatic, and neuropeptide pathways. Its unique enkephalinase inhibition (without opioid binding) distinguishes it from related bioregulators. Rigorous clinical validation is still needed.