GHK-Cu (Copper Peptide)
What Is GHK-Cu? Copper Peptide Research Overview
GHK-Cu is a naturally occurring copper-binding tripeptide consisting of glycine, histidine, and lysine complexed with a copper(II) ion. It was discovered in 1973 by Loren Pickart and is widely studied in the peer-reviewed literature for its roles in gene expression, wound repair models, and extracellular matrix biology.
Key facts
- Sequence
- Gly-His-Lys (GHK)
- Metal cofactor
- Cu²⁺ (copper II)
- Molecular weight
- ~340.8 Da (as GHK-Cu complex)
- CAS number
- 89030-95-5 (GHK-Cu)
- Discovered
- 1973 (Loren Pickart)
What is the origin of GHK-Cu?
The GHK tripeptide sequence was first isolated from human plasma. Pickart observed that plasma from younger donors promoted specific behaviours in older liver-cell cultures, and identified GHK-Cu as the active fraction.
Why is copper important?
The GHK sequence has high affinity for Cu²⁺. Copper binding is central to its studied signalling activity; free GHK and GHK-Cu have different reported properties in the literature.
Research material referenced
GHK-Cu 100mg — third-party HPLC tested
Extended research context
The GHK-Cu (Copper Peptide) deep dive
Deep dive: why the copper ion matters
The GHK tripeptide (Gly-His-Lys) coordinates a Cu²⁺ ion through the imidazole nitrogen of histidine, the terminal α-amino group of glycine, and a deprotonated peptide-bond nitrogen. This near-square-planar geometry is what gives the complex its characteristic deep-blue colour and its redox-modulating chemistry. Uncomplexed GHK is a different molecule pharmacologically — nearly every peer-reviewed study attributes activity to the copper-bound form, which is why suppliers ship the pre-complexed GHK-Cu rather than plain GHK.
GHK-Cu in the transcriptomic literature
The most-cited modern papers on GHK-Cu come from the Pickart & Margolina group and independent transcriptomic re-analyses. GHK-Cu has been reported to modulate expression of >4,000 human genes at nanomolar concentrations in Broad Institute Connectivity Map re-analyses — including genes involved in DNA repair, antioxidant defence, and ECM remodelling. This gene-signature-level activity is the reason GHK-Cu appears in so many research reviews outside of dermatology.
Analytical fingerprinting of GHK-Cu
On reverse-phase HPLC, GHK-Cu elutes as a well-defined peak; free GHK and copper-free peptide impurities are distinguishable. UV-Vis at ~520 nm confirms the copper d-d transition band. Reputable suppliers publish both HPLC (≥98% area) and mass-spec identity (~340 Da complex, 340.4 free peptide) on the batch CoA.
Research applications
- ▸In vitro fibroblast and keratinocyte gene-expression studies
- ▸ECM turnover assays (collagen, elastin, decorin, MMP profiling)
- ▸Wound-healing scratch assays in cell culture models
- ▸Antioxidant-mechanism studies (copper redox modulation)
- ▸Formulation R&D: cosmetic and topical carrier compatibility research
Handling checklist
- ✓Store lyophilised vial at 2–8 °C, protected from light
- ✓Reconstitute with bacteriostatic or sterile water; expect a blue-tinted solution
- ✓Avoid contact with reducing agents (ascorbic acid destabilises Cu²⁺)
- ✓Aliquot reconstituted solution for freeze/thaw minimisation
- ✓Verify blue colour and CoA HPLC ≥98% before use
Common research-handling mistakes
Learnt from thousands of researcher orders across our UK labs.
✗ Buying GHK without copper
Fix: Confirm the CoA reads GHK-Cu (copper-bound); free GHK is a different pharmacology.
✗ Mixing with vitamin C in solution
Fix: Ascorbate reduces Cu²⁺ to Cu⁺ and destabilises the complex — keep them separate.
✗ Exposing to sunlight
Fix: Store in amber vial or foil-wrapped container at 2–8 °C.
Continue researching
Peer-reviewed guides, comparators and matched reference materials.
Related questions researchers ask
- Is GHK-Cu the same as copper peptide?
- What does GHK-Cu do in research studies?
- Is GHK-Cu safe for topical formulation research?
- What concentration of GHK-Cu is used in cell culture?
- How is GHK-Cu different from GHK alone?
Frequently asked questions
- Is GHK-Cu the same as copper peptide?
- 'Copper peptide' commonly refers to GHK-Cu, though other copper-binding peptides exist.
- Where does GHK-Cu come from?
- It occurs naturally in human plasma, saliva, and urine; research-grade material is chemically synthesised.
Primary sources & clinical trials
Peer-reviewed research and registered trials from PubMed, ClinicalTrials.gov, PubChem, FDA and NIH. All links open in a new tab and point to the primary source, so every claim can be verified at origin.
- RefPickart & Margolina, Int J Mol Sci 2018mdpi.com
- PubChemPubChem: GHK-Cupubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- PubMedPickart & Margolina, GHK Peptide as a Natural Modulator of Multiple Cellular Pathways — Oxid Med Cell Longev 2018 (PMID 30110435)pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- PubMedPickart et al., GHK-Cu may prevent oxidative stress — Biomolecules 2015 (PMID 26436412)pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- PubMedPickart, The human tri-peptide GHK and tissue remodelling — J Biomater Sci Polym Ed (PMID 18538807)pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- PubChemPubChem · Glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine (CID 73587)pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- PubChemPubChem · GHK-Cu copper complex (CID 71145)pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- PubMedNIH PubMed — GHK-Cu wound healing literaturepubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- GuidelineGoogle — Creating helpful, reliable, people-first contentdevelopers.google.com
Written and reviewed by
Jack Muncaster · Founder, UK Peptides
Jack founded UK Peptides in Manchester after repeatedly receiving research compounds with missing or recycled paperwork. He is responsible for supplier selection, batch release decisions and the content published in this research library. Every article here is sourced to primary literature and every product page to a signed third-party certificate.
More GHK-Cu (Copper Peptide) articles
- GHK-Cu Peptide: Structure and Copper ChelationGHK-Cu peptide structure: a Gly-His-Lys tripeptide chelating a Cu²⁺ ion via imidazole and amide nitrogens. Coordination chemistry explained.
- What Does GHK Stand For?GHK stands for Glycine-Histidine-Lysine — the three amino acids of the tripeptide sequence. The Cu suffix indicates the copper(II) complex.
- GHK vs GHK-Cu: The DifferenceGHK is the free tripeptide; GHK-Cu is the copper(II) complex. Research literature focuses on GHK-Cu, which has distinct biological activity.
- GHK-Cu Mechanism: How the Copper Peptide WorksGHK-Cu mechanism: acts as a matrikine signalling molecule, modulates gene expression, and delivers copper for enzymes involved in extracellular matrix biology.
- The 1973 Discovery of GHK-CuGHK-Cu was discovered in 1973 by Loren Pickart while investigating differences between young and aged human plasma effects on liver-cell cultures.
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