Copper-Chelating Tripeptide / Tissue-Repair Research Compound
GHK-Cu Copper Peptide — Research Compound
GHK-Cu (glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine copper(II) complex; CAS 89030-95-5; MW 340.38 Da) is a naturally occurring copper-chelating tripeptide first isolated from human plasma albumin in 1973 by Loren Pickart. It is present in human plasma (~200 ng/mL in young adults), saliva and urine, and declines with age — a pattern that has motivated research into its roles in tissue repair, collagen biology and inflammatory signaling. The copper(II) ion is held in a square-planar coordination by the imidazole nitrogen of histidine and the α-amino nitrogens of glycine and histidine; that coordination is what distinguishes GHK-Cu from the free GHK tripeptide. It is supplied as a lyophilized powder for laboratory research applications. Research use only.
Compound identity
- Name
- GHK-Cu
- Class
- Copper-Chelating Tripeptide / Tissue-Repair Research Compound
- CAS number
- 89030-95-5
- Molecular formula
- C14H24CuN6O4
- Also known as
- Copper Peptide GHK-Cu, copper peptides, copper peptide research, copper tripeptide-1, copper tripeptide research, Glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine copper, glycyl-histidyl-lysine copper, GHK copper peptide, copper binding peptide, GHK-Cu skin research, tissue repair peptide research
- Sequence
- Gly-His-Lys (copper complex)
Research context
GHK-Cu's research mechanisms span several distinct biological axes: (1) **Collagen synthesis** — GHK-Cu stimulates collagen synthesis in fibroblast cultures (documented by multiple independent groups) via TGF-β1 upregulation and direct effects on fibroblast collagen gene expression; (2) **Tissue repair** — in rodent models, topical and systemic GHK-Cu accelerates wound closure, granulation tissue formation and re-epithelialization; (3) **Angiogenesis** — GHK-Cu stimulates VEGF and FGF-2 expression in fibroblasts and endothelial cells, promoting neovascularization in healing tissue; (4) **Inflammatory signaling** — GHK-Cu modulates TGF-β1-driven fibrosis (TGF-β1 at low concentrations stimulates collagen and at high concentrations drives fibrosis; GHK-Cu shifts the balance toward the repair direction); (5) **Antioxidant chemistry** — the Cu(II) complex has superoxide dismutase-like activity, scavenging reactive oxygen species in the culture environment. All of this is preclinical; GHK-Cu is not approved for any therapeutic indication.
GHK-Cu also has an active research record in skin biology and cellular-aging models. Published studies using fibroblast cultures and ex vivo skin models show GHK-Cu upregulates decorin, lumican and collagen-associated proteoglycans (extracellular-matrix components that maintain skin architecture), and stimulates TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 (inhibitors of the matrix metalloproteinases that degrade collagen). In-vitro work has also shown broad effects on gene expression — Pickart et al. and later Maquart's group published microarray data suggesting GHK-Cu modulates the expression of hundreds of genes involved in tissue remodeling, inflammation and cell proliferation in fibroblasts. That broad footprint is consistent with GHK-Cu acting as a natural tissue-remodeling signal rather than a receptor-targeted compound.
For researchers handling GHK-Cu: the compound is supplied as the copper(II) complex, which carries the characteristic blue-green colour of coordinated Cu(II). Stability is excellent in lyophilized form; in aqueous solution, pH and copper oxidation state matter (acidic pH preserves Cu(II)). The free peptide GHK (CAS 49557-75-7, without copper) retains some activity but substantially less in collagen-synthesis and tissue-repair assays — copper coordination appears essential for full activity. GHK-Cu should not be confused with free GHK, or with the synthetic copper peptides used in cosmetic formulations, which may differ in composition. DMV Research supplies GHK-Cu with a per-batch third-party Certificate of Analysis confirming identity and ≥99% purity by HPLC. Research use only.
Frequently asked questions
What is GHK-Cu?+
GHK-Cu (glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine copper(II) complex, CAS 89030-95-5, MW 340.38 Da) is a naturally occurring copper-chelating tripeptide, first isolated from human plasma albumin by Loren Pickart in 1973. It is found at ~200 ng/mL in the plasma of young adults and declines with age. It is used as a research reference compound in collagen, tissue-repair and angiogenesis models. Research use only.
How does GHK-Cu affect collagen synthesis in research models?+
GHK-Cu stimulates collagen synthesis in fibroblast cultures through several routes: upregulation of TGF-β1 at low, pro-repair concentrations, direct effects on fibroblast collagen gene expression, and upregulation of proteoglycans (decorin, lumican) that support extracellular-matrix architecture. The copper(II) coordination appears essential — free GHK without copper shows substantially reduced collagen-stimulating activity. Research use only.
What tissue-repair models have used GHK-Cu?+
Rodent excisional and incisional models have shown that topical and systemic GHK-Cu accelerates wound closure, granulation tissue formation and re-epithelialization. In-vitro fibroblast scratch assays show enhanced migration and proliferation. Additional models include delayed repair in diabetic rodents as a disease model. All of this research is preclinical; GHK-Cu is not FDA-approved for any therapeutic indication. Research use only.
How is GHK-Cu different from free GHK peptide?+
GHK-Cu is the copper(II) complex of the GHK tripeptide — copper coordinated in a square-planar complex with the imidazole nitrogen (His) and the α-amino nitrogens (Gly, His). This coordination is essential for full activity. Free GHK (CAS 49557-75-7) retains some activity in gene-expression studies but substantially less in collagen-synthesis and tissue-repair assays. Research protocols should state which form is used.
Why is GHK-Cu blue?+
The characteristic blue-green colour comes from the copper(II) ion coordinated by the GHK tripeptide — a property of the copper complex, and a quick visual check that the material is the complex rather than the free peptide.
Is GHK-Cu approved for human use?+
No. As supplied by DMV Research, GHK-Cu is a research chemical for laboratory use only, not for human consumption.
What purity is the GHK-Cu research peptide?+
Each batch is independently tested to 99%+ purity, with a Certificate of Analysis available per batch.
Research use only
All products are intended for laboratory and research use only (RUO) and are not for human consumption, ingestion, or any in-vivo use.
The statements on this page have not been evaluated by the FDA. GHK-Cu is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Content is provided for laboratory research reference only.