VIP (Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide): The 28-Residue Neuropeptide

VIP was named for what it did to intestinal blood vessels in 1970. Five decades of research later, it is studied across the nervous system, the immune system, and smooth muscle — a reminder that peptide names often capture only the first thing a peptide was found to do.

The molecule

VIP is a 28-amino-acid peptide (C₁₄₇H₂₃₇N₄₃O₄₃S, ≈ 3327 g/mol) belonging to the secretin/glucagon peptide family. It was isolated from small intestine by Said and Mutt (Science, 1970) and named for its vasodilatory activity; the name stuck even as its research scope expanded far beyond blood vessels.

What the research looks at

• VPAC1/VPAC2 receptor pharmacology — VIP acts through two class B GPCRs, a core focus of its signaling research
• Neuroimmunomodulation — VIP bridges neural and immune signaling, a distinctive and active thread
• Vasodilation and smooth muscle — the original research direction, still relevant
• Anti-inflammatory peptide signaling — VIP is studied as an immunomodulatory rather than purely vasoactive peptide

Handling notes

Lyophilized, reconstitute with bacteriostatic water; the reconstitution calculator handles the math. Store at −20°C lyophilized.

See VIP for CAS, purity and full specifications.

For laboratory research use only. Not medical advice.