Scientifically reviewed by
Dr. Ky H. Le, MD
The information presented in this article is for educational and research purposes only, intended for laboratory professionals, researchers and collaborators. This content does not constitute medical or clinical advice.
Table of Contents
Vilon peptide (L-Lys-L-Glu) is one of the smallest synthetic peptide bioregulators studied in the published literature. At a molecular weight of just 257.30 g/mol and composed of only two amino acids, this dipeptide has attracted steady research interest for its activity in chromatin remodeling, immune cell differentiation, and transcriptional regulation.
Originally developed by Vladimir Khavinson and colleagues at the St. Petersburg Institute of Bioregulation and Gerontology, Vilon was synthesized as the smallest bioactive fragment of Thymalin — a thymus-derived extract. The compound’s compact structure belies a broad activity profile across experimental models.
This article reviews published in vitro and animal research on Vilon, covering its molecular properties, epigenetic mechanisms, and potential laboratory applications. All findings referenced here derive from preclinical and experimental contexts.
Related Product: Buy Vilon peptide for laboratory research use.
Highlights
- Vilon is a synthetic dipeptide (L-Lys-L-Glu) with molecular formula C₁₁H₂₁N₃O₅ and a molecular weight of 257.30 g/mol.
- Research in cultured lymphocytes shows Vilon induces deheterochromatinization of facultative heterochromatin without affecting pericentromeric structural heterochromatin.
- Thymocyte studies identify Vilon as the most potent comitogenic agent among tested synthetic peptides, with activity along the sphingomyelin signaling pathway.
- DNA microarray analysis in mouse heart tissue recorded altered expression of 36 gene clones following Vilon administration, rising to 144 when combined with Epithalon.
Structure and Biochemical Profile of Vilon
Vilon belongs to the Khavinson peptide bioregulator family — a class of short-chain, tissue-derived regulatory compounds. Its dipeptide structure gives it a molecular weight of 257.30 g/mol, a CAS number of 45234-02-4, and a PubChem CID of 7010502.
The compound’s two amino acids carry opposing charges at physiological pH. Lysine is basic and cationic; glutamic acid is acidic and anionic. This zwitterionic character is thought to support interaction with charged biomolecules including histone proteins and cell membrane components.
Vilon was synthesized as the smallest active fragment of Thymalin, a natural thymus extract studied by Khavinson’s group since the 1980s. Researchers at the St. Petersburg Institute used this original isolation work to develop a range of synthetic thymic peptides for further mechanistic study, with Vilon representing the dipeptide end of that spectrum.
Vilon Quick Reference
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Molecular Formula | C₁₁H₂₁N₃O₅ |
| Molecular Weight | 257.30 g/mol |
| CAS Number | 45234-02-4 |
| PubChem CID | 7010502 |
| Sequence | L-Lys-L-Glu |
| Alternative Names | Lysylglutamate, Normophthal |
| Source Origin | Thymic extract (Thymalin) |
Chromatin Remodeling in Cultured Cell Models
Research on Vilon’s epigenetic activity has focused on its effects on chromatin structure in aged cell models. The compound’s capacity to alter heterochromatin organization positions it as a useful research tool for studying transcriptional silencing and gene reactivation.
Deheterochromatinization in Aged Lymphocytes
A study by Lezhava and colleagues published in Biogerontology examined Vilon’s effects on heterochromatin in cultured lymphocytes from elderly donors. The data showed that Vilon induced unrolling of total heterochromatin, reactivated ribosomal genes in nucleolus organizer regions, and released genes repressed through facultative heterochromatin condensation.[1]
One finding stands out from a mechanistic standpoint: Vilon did not induce decondensation of pericentromeric structural heterochromatin. This selectivity — acting on facultative but not structural heterochromatin — has practical relevance for researchers designing epigenetic study protocols where preserving centromeric integrity may be a controlled variable.
Progressive Activation of Facultative Heterochromatin
The same research group observed that Vilon’s activation of facultative heterochromatin scaled progressively with donor age in the study models. Older donor lymphocytes showed greater degrees of deheterochromatinization following Vilon exposure compared to younger samples.[1]
This age-dependent activity profile makes Vilon a candidate reference compound in cellular aging studies. Researchers working with bioregulator-based models of epigenetic drift may find it useful for chromatin accessibility comparisons across age groups.
Immune Cell Differentiation in Study Models
Vilon’s thymic origins are reflected in its activity across several immune cell research models. Studies spanning thymocyte culture, sphingomyelin pathway assays, and pineal organotypic culture have produced a consistent picture of the dipeptide’s immunomodulatory profile in laboratory settings.
Thymocyte Proliferation and Sphingomyelin Signaling
Khavinson and colleagues compared the comitogenic effects of Vilon, Epithalon, and Cortagen in mouse thymocyte cultures. Vilon produced the most potent comitogenic effect on thymocyte proliferation among the three peptides tested and modulated the comitogenic activity of interleukin-1β.[2]
The study also examined Vilon’s activity along the sphingomyelin signal transduction pathway. Vilon produced a more pronounced stimulatory effect on sphingomyelinase activity in thymocyte membranes than either Epithalon or Cortagen. The sphingomyelin pathway plays a known role in cell survival, proliferation, and apoptotic signaling, making these observations of interest to researchers working across immunology and cell biology.[2]
Pineal Lymphoid Tissue Differentiation
A study from Linkova and colleagues examined Vilon’s effect on immune cells within the pineal gland’s lymphoid tissue. In organotypic culture, the pineal lymphoid component consisted primarily of low-differentiated CD5+ lymphocytes, with relatively few mature T and B cells.
Following Vilon administration, precursor cells differentiated into T-helpers, cytotoxic T lymphocytes, and B cells — a broader differentiation outcome than observed with either Epithalon (B cells only) or Vesugen (proliferation only). The authors proposed that Vilon may act as an inductor of pineal immune cell differentiation, with possible compensatory relevance in models of age-associated thymic atrophy.[3]
Researchers exploring pineal may find this differentiation profile a useful data point.
Cardiac Gene Expression Profiling via DNA Microarray
Anisimov and colleagues conducted a large-scale transcriptome analysis using cDNA microarray technology to characterize Vilon’s effects on gene expression in mouse heart tissue. The study screened 15,247 clones from a cardiac cDNA library.
Vilon alone altered the expression of 36 gene clones — activating 157 clones (across all treatment conditions) by up to 6.13-fold and inhibiting 23 clones by up to 2.79-fold. When Vilon was combined with Epithalon, the number of expression-altered clones rose to 144, pointing to compound-specific and combinatorial transcriptional targeting rather than generalized, non-specific activity.[4]
The specificity of these effects gives researchers a defined baseline for compound-specific cardiac gene profiling studies. The 36-clone footprint from Vilon alone, contrasted with 98 for Epithalon alone, is particularly useful for studies seeking to isolate individual peptide contributions within a multi-compound experimental design.
Tumor Biology and Longevity Observations in Animal Models
Research from Khavinson and Anisimov, published in Doklady Biological Sciences, reported that Vilon inhibited the growth of spontaneous tumors and increased lifespan in CBA mice. The study used female CBA mice — a strain with a known predisposition to spontaneous mammary tumor development — making the model relevant to cancer biology research.[5]
Separate bladder cancer data indicated that Vilon reduced the incidence of preneoplastic and early neoplastic changes in urinary bladder mucosa. These effects are thought to involve immune system activity, given Vilon’s profile in thymocyte and lymphocyte models.
The tumor biology data is not uniform across models, and researchers should account for this in study design. Studies in HER-2/neu transgenic breast cancer models produced contrary outcomes, with increased mammary tumor incidence observed following Vilon exposure. This model-dependency of results makes careful selection of the experimental system a prerequisite for any work in this area.
Potential In Vitro Research Applications
| Research Area | Study Model | Observed Effect | Key Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Research Area | Study Model | Observed Effect | Key Reference |
| Chromatin remodeling | Cultured human lymphocytes | Deheterochromatinization of facultative heterochromatin | Lezhava et al., Biogerontology, 2004 |
| Immune differentiation | Pineal organotypic culture (rat) | T-helper, CTL, and B cell differentiation from CD5+ precursors | Linkova et al., Bull Exp Biol Med, 2011 |
| Thymocyte signaling | Mouse thymocyte membrane assay | Sphingomyelinase activation; IL-1β comitogenic modulation | Khavinson et al., Bull Exp Biol Med, 2002 |
| Cardiac gene profiling | Mouse heart cDNA microarray | 36 gene clones altered (Vilon alone); 144 with Epithalon | Anisimov et al., Bull Exp Biol Med, 2002 |
| Tumor biology | CBA mouse spontaneous tumor model | Reduced tumor incidence; increased lifespan | Khavinson & Anisimov, Dokl Biol Sci, 2000 |
| Vascular regulation | Renal model (TGF-β) | Reduced TGF-β concentration; altered microvessel permeability | Gavrisheva et al., Bull Exp Biol Med, 2005 |
Research-Grade Vilon from BioLongevity Labs
BioLongevity Labs supplies Vilon (L-Lys-L-Glu) for qualified laboratory and research use. Each batch undergoes triple third-party verification across three independent certified laboratories, with Certificates of Analysis available pre-purchase at biolongevitylabs.com/all-coas/.
All products are manufactured in U.S. GMP-certified facilities with full chain-of-custody documentation. Vilon is available for in vitro research use only and is not intended for human or veterinary consumption.
Scientific Reviewer
This research article has been scientifically reviewed and fact-checked by Dr. Ky H. Le, MD. Dr. Le earned his medical degree from St. George’s University School of Medicine and completed his residency training at Memorial Hermann Southwest Hospital. Board-certified in family medicine with experience in hospital medicine, he brings over two decades of clinical experience to reviewing research content and ensuring scientific accuracy.
About BioLongevity Labs
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References
- Lezhava T, Khavison V, Monaselidze J, Jokhadze T, Dvalishvili N, Bablishvili N, et al. Bioregulator Vilon-Induced Reactivation of Chromatin in Cultured Lymphocytes from Old People. Springer Science and Business Media LLC; 2004. https://doi.org/10.1023/b:bgen.0000025070.90330.7f
- Khavinson VKh, Rybakina EG, Malinin VV, Pivanovich IYu, Shanin SN, Korneva EA. Effects of Short Peptides on Thymocyte Blast Transformation and Signal Transduction along the Sphingomyelin Pathway. Springer Science and Business Media LLC; 2002. https://doi.org/10.1023/a:1019830308824
- Linkova NS, Khavinson VKh, Chalisova NI, Katanugina AS, Koncevaya EA. Peptidegic Stimulation of Differentiation of Pineal Immune Cells. Springer Science and Business Media LLC; 2011. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10517-011-1470-1
- Anisimov SV, Bokheler KR, Khavinson VKh, Anisimov VN. Studies of the Effects of Vilon and Epithalon on Gene Expression in Mouse Heart using DNA-Microarray Technology. Springer Science and Business Media LLC; 2002. https://doi.org/10.1023/a:1015859322630
- VKh K, Vn A. A synthetic dipeptide vilon (L-Lys-L-Glu) inhibits growth of spontaneous tumors and increases life span of mice. Doklady Biological Sciences 2000;372:261–263.