Learn / GHK-Cu

Skin Repair

GHK-Cu

A20-2010 · Skin & Beauty & “Glow”

What labs study it for

Skin and connective-tissue research. Labs add it to cultured skin cells (fibroblasts) to study how cells build collagen and the other structural proteins that hold tissue together, and how copper is carried into cells.

What this compound is

GHK-Cu is a copper complex of the tripeptide glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine. The peptide occurs in human plasma and binds copper(II) ions with high affinity, which is what the Cu in the name denotes. Laboratory work uses it as a defined copper-delivery tool in cell-culture studies of extracellular matrix components such as collagen, and in connective tissue models. It is not approved for any medical use.

GHK-Cu. Supplied lyophilized. Lot-specific HPLC and MS documentation accompanies each unit.

3D structure

Carbon in orange, nitrogen blue, oxygen red, sulfur yellow. Formula C14H23CuN6O4+.

Computed 3D model, not a measured structure. Drag to rotate · scroll to zoom.

Structure from PubChem CID 71587328, with 3D coordinates computed from it.

Metal-binding peptides

A peptide defined as much by the metal it carries as by its sequence.

Some short peptides bind metal ions tightly enough that the complex, not the peptide alone, is the molecule of interest. GHK is three amino acids found in human plasma; it binds copper(II) with high affinity, and the resulting complex is what laboratories study in extracellular-matrix and connective-tissue work. Written GHK-Cu, the suffix denotes the bound copper.

Fields of study

  • Extracellular matrix models
  • Copper transport
  • Connective tissue biology

Specifications

Catalog numberA20-2010
CAS number89030-95-5
Molecular formulaC14H22CuN6O4
Molecular weight401.90 g/mol
Purity (HPLC)≥ 99.0 %
Physical formLyophilized powder
Storage-20 C, desiccated, protected from light
PubChem recordCID 71587328

Reference information for laboratory research only — not for human or veterinary use.