🧬 Tetrapeptide Bioregulator • Prostate/Immune

Prostamax (KEDP)

Synthetic tetrapeptide bioregulator (Lys-Glu-Asp-Pro) studied for chromatin de-heterochromatinization and gene-expression modulation in immune cells and prostate-related models.

Sequence K-E-D-P MW ~487.5 Da PubChem 9848296

⚡ Executive Summary

Prostamax (KEDP: Lys-Glu-Asp-Pro) is a synthetic tetrapeptide researched for chromatin de-heterochromatinization and gene-expression effects that may normalize age-related changes in cells. Preclinical data in lymphocytes show measurable thermal shifts (~2.9°C) consistent with chromatin relaxation. Also studied in prostate explant and rat models. Research-only — no clinical approvals.

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

Overview

🧬 What is Prostamax?

Prostamax is the tetrapeptide Lys-Glu-Asp-Pro (KEDP) studied as a peptide bioregulator that can alter chromatin architecture and gene expression in cells.

Part of the “Khavinson peptides” family — short regulatory peptides studied for epigenetic modulation via chromatin remodeling.

🎯 Key Features

• 🔓 Chromatin opening — de-heterochromatinization
• 🧬 Gene activation — ribosomal gene expression
• 🫁 Prostate focus — explant & rat models

⚠️

Research only: Prostamax is NOT an approved therapy. It is a research compound used under laboratory conditions only. No robust randomized clinical trials demonstrate therapeutic efficacy in humans.

📝

Naming note: You may see “ProstaMax,” “KEDP,” or “H-KEDP-OH” — these refer to the same tetrapeptide. This is DISTINCT from herbal “ProstaMax” supplements (e.g., saw palmetto blends).

🔬

Entity Properties

Aliases	Prostamax, KEDP, H-Lys-Glu-Asp-Pro-OH
Sequence	Lys-Glu-Asp-Pro (K-E-D-P)
Length	4 amino acids (tetrapeptide)
Molecular Formula	C₂₀H₃₃N₅O₉
Molecular Weight	~487.5 Da
PubChem CID	9848296
CAS Number	Not assigned in major registries
Family	Short Khavinson peptides; epigenetic/chromatin remodeling
Diluent(s)	Sterile water, bacteriostatic water (0.9% benzyl alcohol), 0.9% saline
Research Conc.	2–400 ng/mL (explants); ~20 ng/mL typical; 0.1 μg s.c. daily × 10 days (rat)
Storage (dry)	4°C short-term, −20°C long-term, protected from light
Storage (solution)	2–8°C short-term; avoid freeze-thaw; aliquot recommended

⚙️

Mechanism of Action

🧠 How does Prostamax work?

Prostamax is investigated for epigenetic activity — specifically, for promoting chromatin de-heterochromatinization (opening) and ribosomal gene activation. This potentially normalizes age-related chromatin compaction.

Short regulatory peptides have been modeled to bind DNA promoter motifs, supporting a plausible gene-regulatory mechanism distinct from receptor agonism.

🔓 Chromatin Opening

Relaxes condensed 30-nm chromatin fibers into 10-nm filaments → more transcriptionally accessible

📈 Gene Activation

Activates ribosomal genes; increases silver-stained NOR (AgNOR) activity in lymphocytes

🧬 DNA Binding

Short peptides modeled to bind DNA promoter motifs; affects pericentromeric chromatin

🔬

Bench-level readout: Prostamax’s chromatin thermal-shift signature (ΔTd ≈ −2.9°C / −1.0°C) can function as a QC marker to confirm chromatin-relaxing effect in lymphocyte assays — a practical biophysical measure.

📊

Research Evidence

🔬 Preclinical Findings

🧫

Human Lymphocytes (ex vivo)

Produced 2.9°C and 1.0°C downward thermal shifts consistent with partial relaxation of chromatin fibers

👴

Elderly Subjects’ Lymphocytes

Activated ribosomal genes and decondensed densely packed chromatin regions in aged cells

🧬

Aging Chromatin Remodeling

De-heterochromatinization in aged cohorts; selective modulation of pericentromeric chromatin

🫁

Prostate Models (Patent)

Rat chronic bacterial prostatitis: 0.1 μg s.c. daily × 10 days; anti-inflammatory and antioxidant indices reported

⚠️

Evidence limitations: All data is preclinical (cell/ex vivo/animal). No robust randomized clinical trial evidence demonstrates therapeutic efficacy in humans. Patents provide experimental details but are not clinical trials.

🧪

Research Handling

📘

Research use only. Follow your institution’s SOPs, biosafety rules, and local regulations. Lab handling should comply with USP ⟨797⟩ sterile compounding standards.

1

Prepare Sterile Workspace

Certified environment per USP ⟨797⟩: garbing, aseptic technique, disinfection, environmental controls.

2

Choose Diluent

Sterile water, bacteriostatic water (0.9% benzyl alcohol) for multi-dose, or 0.9% saline.

3

Reconstitute Gently

Room temperature; add diluent slowly along glass wall; swirl don’t shake. Brief sonication if needed.

4

Calculate Concentration

20 mg + 10 mL = 2 mg/mL stock. Adjust with C1V1=C2V2 for working concentrations (2–400 ng/mL).

5

Aliquot & Store

Aliquot to minimize freeze-thaw. Lyophilized: 4°C to −20°C. Solutions: 2–8°C short-term.

6

Document Everything

Label with concentration, diluent, date, BUD. Document method, deviations, and disposal.

⚖️

Comparison

How does Prostamax compare to other prostate-related interventions? Prostamax is a research peptide focused on chromatin/epigenetic modulation; clinical BPH/CPPS management relies on well-studied pharmacologic classes.

Prostamax (KEDP)

Synthetic tetrapeptide bioregulator Research Only

Chromatin de-heterochromatinization. Gene-expression modulation. Preclinical data in lymphocytes and prostate models. Not FDA-approved.

α-Blockers

e.g., Tamsulosin FDA Approved

Relax prostatic/urethral smooth muscle. RCTs show efficacy for CP/CPPS & LUTS in select patients. Guideline-directed use.

Saw Palmetto

Herbal supplement No Benefit vs Placebo

Proposed 5α-reductase inhibition. High-quality trials & Cochrane: no meaningful benefit vs placebo for LUTS/BPH.

Prostatilen/Samprost

Extracted polypeptide mixtures Regional Use Only

Tissue-derived peptides. Variable composition. Mostly regional legacy data; limited high-quality RCTs. Not FDA-approved in U.S.

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FAQ

What is Prostamax? The tetrapeptide Lys-Glu-Asp-Pro (KEDP) investigated as a peptide bioregulator that can relax heterochromatin and influence gene expression in cell models. Research-only — not approved for treating disease. Is it the same as herbal “ProstaMax”? No — Prostamax (KEDP) is a synthetic research peptide, whereas some products called “ProstaMax” are herbal supplements (e.g., saw palmetto blends). These are unrelated categories. What human data exist? Human data are limited to ex vivo/in situ lymphocyte and chromatin studies showing small but measurable thermal shifts (−2.9°C, −1.0°C) and chromatin remodeling indicators. No robust randomized human trials for clinical endpoints. What doses were used in research? Preclinical reports used 2–400 ng/mL in explants (~20 ng/mL often effective) and 0.1 μg s.c. daily × 10 days in rats. These are NOT human dosing guidelines — laboratory context only. Does it have a CAS number? No CAS Registry Number is listed for Prostamax in major databases like PubChem, which catalogs synonyms (H-KEDP-OH) and structure without a CAS entry. Is saw palmetto effective for BPH? No — large, high-quality trials and reviews show saw palmetto does not outperform placebo for LUTS/BPH. α-Blockers have evidence-based roles in guidelines for appropriate patients. ✅

Bottom line: Prostamax (KEDP) is a research-only peptide with preclinical evidence of chromatin remodeling — producing measurable thermal shifts and gene activation in lymphocyte models. It is not a medical treatment. Clinical prostate/LUTS management should use evidence-based pharmacotherapy (e.g., α-blockers) under physician guidance.