HEP-1, a synthetic hepcidin-derived peptide based on the Liver-Expressed Antimicrobial Peptide 1 (LEAP-1) family, is a cysteine-rich antimicrobial peptide fragment with a molecular weight of 2789.4 g/mol. Hepcidin peptides are characterised by a high cysteine content forming multiple intramolecular disulfide bridges that create a compact, hairpin-like beta-sheet structure. The full-length mature hepcidin (hepcidin-25) consists of 25 amino acids with four disulfide bonds and eight cysteine residues, and truncated bioactive fragments including hepcidin-20 have also been characterised in the published literature. Produced via solid-phase peptide synthesis, HEP-1 is associated with ferroportin-mediated iron homeostasis and innate antimicrobial signalling pathways in preclinical research.

Hepcidin peptides occupy a central position in preclinical iron metabolism and innate immunity research. The full-length peptide was first isolated from human blood ultrafiltrate and has been characterised as the principal hormonal regulator of systemic iron homeostasis, acting through direct binding and internalisation of ferroportin, the sole known cellular iron exporter. In vitro studies have documented that hepcidin binds ferroportin and induces its internalisation and degradation, reducing cellular iron export, establishing this binding-and-internalisation mechanism as the molecular basis for hepcidin’s control of cellular iron efflux [1]. In vivo rodent studies have investigated the relationship between hepcidin peptide administration and systemic iron distribution, documenting that synthetic hepcidin produces rapid, dose-dependent hypoferremia in mice and concentrates in ferroportin-containing organs, characterising the peptide as a direct regulator of systemic iron availability in vivo [2], making HEP-1 a reference compound in iron-metabolism and innate-immunity research examining hepcidin–ferroportin regulation of cellular and systemic iron handling in preclinical models.

HEP-1 is manufactured in a cGMP compliant, ISO9001 certified laboratory to a guaranteed purity of 98% or above. Every batch is independently tested using HPLC and MS-UPLC analysis before dispatch. Vials are vacuum sealed and stored in a temperature controlled, monitored cold storage system. Certificates of Analysis are available on request.

Sold strictly for in vitro research purposes only. Not for human consumption. Intended for use by qualified researchers in laboratory settings only.

Editorial Team

Dr. Martina Rossi, PhD

Scientific Contributor and Reviewer

Reviewed and approved 14 June 2026

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