GHK-Cu

Overview

GHK-Cu is a peptide-metal complex that contains three amino acids that are linked together:

• Glycine
• Histidine
• Lysine

The tripeptide glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine forms bonds (or chelates) with a copper ion to create the complex GHK-Cu. The nitrogen and oxygen atoms that are found within the GHK molecule grip the copper ion tightly.

When it coordinates with copper, we can call GHK-Cu a metallopeptide, which means it’s a molecule that’s bound with metal ions. Researchers are interested in whether copper coordination influences the peptide’s molecular structure, biochemical interactions, and behavior in controlled laboratory studies.¹˒²

GHK-Cu is studied in laboratory research involving the following areas:

• How GHK-Cu binds copper and carries it to cells and tissue
• How the peptide and copper form a stable complex
• How GHK-Cu interacts with fibroblasts (they help produce structural materials around cells)
• Its relationship with the extracellular matrix, the support network surrounding cells
• How it may influence signals that are involved in cell growth
• Its interaction with cells that line blood vessels
• Its role in laboratory models of new blood vessel formation
• How it may affect which genes are switched on or off
• Its involvement in maintaining cells
• How cells respond to oxidative stress

Researchers who are interested in comparing single-peptide and blended research materials may also like to review our Klow Peptide blend. This blend contains GHK-Cu alongside BPC-157, KPV, and TB-500 peptides.

GHK-Cu : Structure

Source: PubChem CID 139035031
Sequence: Gly-His-Lys, copper(II) complex
Length: 3 amino acids
Molecular Formula: C14H21CuN6O4- (Cu complex); C14H24N6O4 (free GHK)
Mass: 400.09 Da (Cu complex, monoisotopic); 340.19 Da (free GHK)

Scientific Background

GHK was identified in human plasma in 1973 and its plasma concentration is reported to decline with age, which is why it appears so often in the ageing literature. Its defining property is a very high affinity for copper(II); the peptide is almost always studied as the copper complex rather than as the free tripeptide, and the two have different PubChem records and different molecular formulas.

Mechanistic Focus in Research Models

Research on GHK-Cu centres on three areas: copper delivery to cells and the redox chemistry that follows; broad modulation of gene expression, with published microarray work reporting changes across large numbers of transcripts; and effects on collagen, glycosaminoglycan and metalloproteinase balance in dermal fibroblast models. Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory endpoints are also examined.

Research Applications

GHK-Cu may be used in laboratory studies involving:

• Copper transport and homeostasis research
• Gene-expression and transcriptome modulation studies
• Extracellular-matrix and collagen synthesis models
• Dermal fibroblast and skin-regeneration research
• Antioxidant and redox-signalling assays
• Wound-model research

All uses are limited to research settings only. This product is not intended for human or animal use.

Safety and Tolerability Observations in Studies

Published literature describes GHK-Cu in cell-culture, rodent and human dermatological research settings. Those observations are summarised here as research context only and are not claims of safety, effectiveness or suitability for human or veterinary use.

GHK-Cu : Scientific Journal & Authors

Research Focus: Cellular Pathway Research
Title: GHK Peptide as a Natural Modulator of Multiple Cellular Pathways in Skin Regeneration (BioMed Research International, 2015)
Authors: Loren Pickart, Anna Margolina

Research Focus: Oxidative Stress and Ageing Research
Title: The Human Tripeptide GHK-Cu in Prevention of Oxidative Stress and Degenerative Conditions of Aging (Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity, 2012)
Authors: Loren Pickart, Jessica M. Vasquez-Soltero, Anna Margolina

Referenced Citations

1. Pickart, L., & Margolina, A. (2018 / 2015). GHK peptide as a natural modulator of multiple cellular pathways in skin regeneration. BioMed Research International, 2015, 648108. https://doi.org/10.1155/2015/648108
2. Pickart, L., Vasquez-Soltero, J. M., & Margolina, A. (2012). The human tripeptide GHK-Cu in prevention of oxidative stress and degenerative conditions of aging. Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity, 2012, 324832. https://doi.org/10.1155/2012/324832

Storing lyophilized GHK-Cu properly will help preserve the stability of the peptide during laboratory inventory and experimental planning.

Here are our recommended requirements for storing unopened GHK-Cu:

• Keep peptides at -20°C for long-term storage
• Protect GHK-Cu from direct light
• Protect GHK-Cu from moisture
• Keep the molecule in its original sealed vial

Avoid unnecessary temperature cycling (repeated changes from warmer to cooler temperatures)

Scientists are interested in studying the GHK-Cu peptide because of its structure; it’s made up of a short peptide sequence (tripeptide) with a coordinated copper ion. This specific structure lets researchers examine peptide signaling (biological messages) and peptide–metal interactions (how a metal atom alters the peptide’s shape and stability) within a single experimental framework, rather than through separate testing.

Scientists are interested in the following areas of study:

• Copper-binding chemistry
• Peptide-metal complex formation
• Fibroblast assays
• Extracellular-matrix biology
• Growth-factor signaling
• Endothelial-cell pathways
• Angiogenesis-related experimental models
• Gene-expression datasets
• Cellular maintenance pathways
• Oxidative-stress response mechanisms

Copper Coordination and Biochemical Interactions

Laboratory studies have examined how GHK binds to copper and what that final molecule looks like. Scientific researchers are also interested in investigating how this compound interacts with other substances.¹˒²

Binding GHK to copper may affect:

• The shape of the molecule
• How it attaches to other molecules
• How its electrical charge is distributed
• How stable it remains during experiments
• How the molecule interacts with other compounds

These properties can change depending on a range of various factors, including acidity, concentration, the liquid used in the experiment, as well as other laboratory conditions.

Fibroblasts are cells that help make and organize the supportive material and structural proteins surrounding cells and tissues, such as collagen and elastin. This support network is called the extracellular matrix (ECM), and it refers to the framework where cells sit. Laboratory studies and in-vitro experiments have used cells outside the body to examine how fibroblasts grow and produce signaling proteins after they’ve been exposed to copper tripeptide.³

Within these experiments, researchers are interested in studying:

• Fibroblast growth and proliferation
• Cell-to-cell signaling
• Production of growth-related signaling proteins
• Extracellular-matrix organization
• Matrix breakdown and remodeling
• The effect of copper binding on experimental outcomes

Endothelial-Cell and Angiogenesis-Related Models

Endothelial cells create a lining inside blood vessels (endothelium). Angiogenesis is the process of forming new blood vessels from existing ones when tissue is damaged or growing and in need of oxygen and nutrients.

A 2017 study examined a liposomal form of GHK-Cu in cultured human endothelial cells and a mouse scald model. The liposomal formulation increased endothelial-cell proliferation by 33.1% and increased the expression of VEGF and FGF-2, two proteins involved in blood-vessel formation. In the mouse model, researchers also recorded stronger CD31 and Ki67 signals and greater angiogenesis than with free GHK-Cu.

These results apply specifically to the liposomal formulation and experimental models used in the study. Researchers should not assume that other forms of GHK-Cu will produce the same findings.

Scientific reviews have explored possible links between GHK or GHK-Cu and gene activity, including:

• Extracellular-matrix breakdown and remodeling
• Maintenance of normal cellular function
• Cellular responses to oxidative stress
• Protein degradation pathways
• Regulation of intracellular signaling

Most of this evidence comes from laboratory studies, including in-vitro studies and animal research, or scientific reviews.

References

1. Bossak-Ahmad K, Winiewska MD, Bal W, Drew SC, Frczyk T. Ternary Cu(II) complex with GHK peptide and cis-urocanic acid as a potential physiologically functional copper chelate. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 2020;21(17):6190.

2. Conato C, et al. Copper complexes of glycyl-histidyl-lysine and two of its synthetic analogues: chemical behaviour and biological activity. 2001.

3. Pollard JD, Quan S, Kang T, Koch RJ. Effects of copper tripeptide on the growth and expression of growth factors by normal and irradiated fibroblasts. Archives of Facial Plastic Surgery. 2005;7(1):27–31.
Wang X, et al. GHK-Cu-liposomes accelerate scald wound healing in mice by promoting cell proliferation and angiogenesis. Wound Repair and Regeneration. 2017;25(2):270–278.

4. Pickart L, Margolina A. Regenerative and protective actions of the GHK-Cu peptide in the light of the new gene data. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 2018;19(7):1987.

We test every batch of GHK-Cu peptide before releasing it for research to ensure its quality and stability remain intact.

99%+ HPLC-Verified Purity

Independent laboratories use HPLC analysis to measure the proportion of GHK-Cu within each tested sample. This ensures high-purity with every peptide.

Measured Content and Heavy-Metal Screening

HPLC measures chromatographic purity, and ICP-MS evaluates trace metals for each batch, so researchers can trust in the quality and purity of their peptide batch.

Batch-Matched Documentation

Our peptides come with a report that identifies important information like the product, strength, laboratory ID, testing method, report date, and recorded results. This means that for every sample, researchers get clear, traceable data.

Lyophilized and Nitrogen-Sealed

At Licensed Peptides, we freeze-dry GHK-Cu and seal each vial under nitrogen. This limits how much the vials are exposed to moisture and oxygen while they’re being stored and in transit.

We offer reliable domestic shipping fulfillment:

Same-Day U.S. Shipping

Orders placed before the daily cutoff are eligible to be dispatched the same business day. Orders must be in stock and will be dispatched from within the United States.

Controlled Storage Before Dispatch

We store our products in temperature-controlled conditions before shipping. This protects the material in its lyophilized form.

Secure and Protective Packaging

We package each GHK-Cu batch in safe and secure packaging to reduce its exposure to factors that may begin the process of degradation. This includes:

• Moisture
• Direct light
• Temperature fluctuations
• Physical damage during transit
• Real-Time Tracking

Once we’ve processed your order, our tracking information makes it easy to monitor the shipment – from dispatch through to delivery.