What is VIP (vasoactive intestinal peptide)?

VIP is a natural 28-amino-acid peptide found in the gut, the brain and many other parts of the body. It is one of the best-studied neuropeptides. Here you can read what VIP is, how it was discovered and how to work with it in the lab.

VIP at a glance

VIP stands for vasoactive intestinal peptide. It belongs to the glucagon-secretin family of peptide hormones and acts in the body as both a hormone and a neurotransmitter.

  • Full name: vasoactive intestinal peptide
  • Type: 28-amino-acid neuropeptide
  • Family: glucagon-secretin family
  • Receptors: VPAC1 and VPAC2
  • Form: white lyophilized powder

Discovery

VIP was isolated from intestinal tissue in 1970 by Sami Said and Viktor Mutt. The name describes the first property they observed: it widens blood vessels (vasoactive) and comes from the gut (intestinal). VIP was later found to be widespread in the central and peripheral nervous system as well.

Receptors and research areas

VIP binds the receptors VPAC1 and VPAC2, both G protein-coupled receptors. In research, VIP is studied in relation to:

  • Vasodilation and smooth muscle in tissue models
  • Gut function and secretion
  • Immune modulation in cell models
  • The body clock (circadian rhythm) in the suprachiasmatic nucleus
  • Lung and airway models

Status

VIP is an endogenous peptide. Synthetic VIP is not generally approved as a medicine in the EU. Virexa Labs offers VIP solely as a research reagent.

Storage and quality

Store lyophilized VIP at −20 °C, dry and protected from light. VIP in solution is fairly sensitive; keep the solution at 2–8 °C, use it promptly and avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles.

Every batch of VIP from Virexa Labs is tested by HPLC for ≥99% purity; the COA is on the product page. VIP is intended solely for laboratory research and not for human or veterinary use.

Products

Frequently asked questions

What does VIP stand for?

Vasoactive intestinal peptide: it acts on blood vessels (vasoactive) and was first found in the gut (intestinal).

How many amino acids does VIP have?

28.

Which receptors does VIP bind?

VPAC1 and VPAC2, two G protein-coupled receptors.

Is VIP intended for human use?

No. VIP from Virexa Labs is intended solely for laboratory research and not for human or veterinary consumption.

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