GHK-Cu
Copper tripeptide complex supplied for in-vitro cell-culture and biochemical research.
Purity
98%+ (per source specifications)
Form
Lyophilised Powder
Storage
-20°C lyophilised · store at 2–8°C once reconstituted
CAS Number
89030-95-5
Mol. Weight
340.4 g/mol
£23.99
Free UK delivery
About GHK-Cu
What it is
GHK-Cu is a naturally occurring copper-binding tripeptide — glycine, histidine, lysine — first isolated from human plasma in the early 1970s. It is one of the most thoroughly characterised small peptides in the literature, partly because it has been known about for over fifty years. Plasma levels of it decline markedly with age, which is what drew attention to it in the first place.
How it is understood to work
The copper is not incidental, it is the point. The tripeptide binds copper(II) with high affinity and acts as a carrier, and much of its observed activity in cell culture appears to depend on that complex rather than on the peptide alone. Copper is a cofactor for lysyl oxidase, the enzyme that cross-links collagen and elastin, which connects the molecule directly to extracellular matrix chemistry.
What research has looked at
Cell-culture work has examined collagen and glycosaminoglycan synthesis by fibroblasts, antioxidant behaviour, and gene expression across a broad set of pathways. Its distinctive blue colour in solution comes from the copper complex and is a useful visual confirmation that it has reconstituted properly.
Handling and storage
The solution is a clear blue. Loss of that colour suggests the copper complex has been disturbed and the material should be treated as suspect. Keep it out of light, refrigerate once reconstituted, and avoid contact with chelating agents, which will strip the copper.
Supplied for in-vitro laboratory research only. Nothing above describes a dose, a protocol, or a use in humans or animals, and none of these compounds is a licensed medicine in the UK.
Certificate of Analysis
Purity (HPLC)
99.9%
- Batch
- 100003-26010702
| Test | Specification | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Appearance | Blue crystalline particles | Blue crystalline particles |
| Identity (mass spectrometry) | 340.4 ± 1.0 | 340.0 |
| Purity (HPLC) | Not less than 98.0% | 99.9% |
| Heavy metals (Pb, As, Hg, Cd) | Within limits | Conforms |
| Water content (Karl Fischer) | Not more than 8.0% | 6.6% |
| Microbial limits | Not more than 100 cfu/g | Conforms |
This batch of GHK-Cu complies with specification. Figures are taken from the manufacturer certificate of analysis for this batch.
Research Information
GHK-Cu is a copper-binding tripeptide (glycyl-histidyl-lysine bound to copper), naturally occurring in human plasma but declining with age. It's studied for its role in skin and connective tissue research. Researchers are interested in how it modulates gene expression linked to extracellular matrix remodelling — the framework cells live in — and antioxidant response. Most published work has used in-vitro skin cell models (fibroblasts, keratinocytes) to examine its effects on collagen synthesis and DNA repair pathways.
Research areas
- Fibroblast cell-line research
- Collagen and extracellular matrix studies
- Antioxidant response pathway research
- Wound-healing model investigations
Analytical methods
Identity and purity are typically confirmed at source by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and mass spectrometry.
Storage and handling
Store lyophilised at -20°C, away from moisture and direct light. Once reconstituted, store at 2–8°C and use within the timeframe specified on the source datasheet.
For Research Use Only. Not for human or veterinary use.
Batch tested
Every batch is tested for identity and purity, and we publish the certificate.
UK dispatch
UK-stocked. Orders placed before 2pm dispatch the same business day via Royal Mail Tracked 24. Free UK shipping on every order. We ship to UK addresses only.