GHK-Cu

GHK-Cu (Glycyl-L-Histidyl-L-Lysine Copper) is a naturally occurring copper peptide complex first isolated from human plasma albumin by Pickart and Thaler in 1973. The GHK tripeptide forms a square planar copper(II) complex with a femtomolar dissociation constant — among the highest copper affinities of naturally occurring peptides — through the ATCUN (Amino Terminal Copper and Nickel) binding motif: N-terminal amine nitrogen, deprotonated amide nitrogen, and histidine imidazole nitrogen as three of four coordination sites.

Free peptide MW: 340.36 g/mol | Cu complex MW: 403.92 g/mol | CAS: 49557-75-7 | Sequence: Gly-His-Lys | Amino acids: 3 | Coordination: Square planar Cu2+ (ATCUN motif) | Purity: greater than or equal to 98% as verified by HPLC | Form: Lyophilised powder | Appearance: Blue-green lyophilised powder (characteristic of Cu2+ chelation) | Storage: -20°C desiccated

Published research has examined GHK-Cu across several biological contexts: matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) regulation and MMP/TIMP balance in extracellular matrix remodelling models; collagen synthesis stimulation in fibroblast cultures (Maquart et al., FEBS Letters, 1988); gene expression profiling in human fibroblasts where treatment was associated with changes in hundreds of genes including collagen, antioxidant enzymes, and anti-inflammatory mediators (Pickart and Margolina, IJMS, 2018); and copper transport biology given its role as a plasma copper carrier.

SP1 — a copper-dependent transcription factor — has been examined as a potential mediator of some GHK-Cu gene expression effects. GHK-Cu is one of three components in the Glow Blend research combination (alongside BPC-157 and TB-500), and is supplied individually for mechanistic dissection research.

Supplied as a lyophilised powder. Reconstitute in sterile water. Store at -20°C. For laboratory and analytical research purposes only. Not for human or veterinary use.