For Research Use Only
GHK-Cu is supplied exclusively for in vitro laboratory and pre-clinical research. Not for human or veterinary use. No formulation, application, or usage guidance is provided. Purchase confirms the buyer is a qualified researcher.
GHK-Cu Refill — Copper(II) Tripeptide Complex for Wound Healing, Collagen Synthesis, and Gene Expression Research
GHK-Cu Refill is a research-grade lyophilised preparation of GHK-Cu (Copper(II) glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine), a naturally occurring copper-binding tripeptide complex first isolated from human plasma albumin by Loren Pickart in 1973. GHK (glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine) is a tripeptide with the sequence Gly-His-Lys that forms a stable 2:1 or 1:1 complex with copper(II) ions through coordination bonds involving the imidazole nitrogen of histidine and the terminal amino groups of glycine and lysine. GHK-Cu is present endogenously in human plasma, saliva, and urine, and its plasma concentration declines significantly with age — from approximately 200 ng/mL in young adults to approximately 80 ng/mL in older individuals — a decline that has been associated with reduced wound healing capacity and tissue repair. Each vial supplied by AbsoluteBioLab contains lyophilised GHK-Cu, verified by RP-HPLC to a minimum purity of ≥99.0%, with molecular identity confirmed by ESI-MS.
GHK-Cu has been extensively studied as a multifunctional biological modulator with demonstrated activity in wound healing, collagen synthesis, anti-inflammatory signalling, antioxidant defence, and gene expression regulation. Genome-wide gene expression studies have shown that GHK-Cu modulates the expression of over 4,000 human genes, with particular effects on pathways involved in tissue remodelling, inflammation, and cellular repair. The compound’s ability to chelate copper(II) ions and deliver them to copper-dependent enzymes — including lysyl oxidase (essential for collagen and elastin crosslinking), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and cytochrome c oxidase — is thought to underlie many of its biological effects. GHK-Cu is one of the most extensively characterised peptide-metal complexes in biomedical research, with a literature spanning more than five decades.
Compound Identity Matrix
| Attribute | Value | Specification |
|---|---|---|
| Common Name | GHK-Cu; Copper(II) GHK; Copper Tripeptide-1 | Naturally occurring copper-binding tripeptide complex |
| Sequence | Gly-His-Lys · Cu(II) | Tripeptide; Cu(II) coordination via His imidazole and terminal amines |
| CAS Number | 89030-95-5 | GHK-Cu (Copper(II) glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine) |
| Molecular Formula | C14H23CuN6O4⁺ | Copper complex cation |
| Molecular Weight | 403.91 Da | Copper complex (monoisotopic) |
| Physical Form | Blue-green lyophilised powder | Characteristic colour from Cu(II) coordination complex |
| Purity (RP-HPLC) | ≥99.0% | C18 column, UV 220 nm |
| Identity Confirmation | ESI-MS | ±0.1 Da of theoretical MW |
Analytical Specification & Release Testing
Every batch of GHK-Cu supplied by AbsoluteBioLab is manufactured under GMP-aligned conditions and subjected to a comprehensive analytical release protocol. Purity is determined by RP-HPLC (C18 column, UV 220 nm) confirming ≥99.0% purity with a maximum single impurity of ≤0.5%. Molecular identity is confirmed by ESI-MS with the observed [M+H]⁺ or [M+nH]ⁿ⁺ ion series matched against the theoretical mass of GHK-Cu (MW 403.91 Da) to within ±0.1 Da. Copper content is confirmed by ICP-MS to ensure stoichiometric Cu(II) complexation. Endotoxin content is confirmed at <1.0 EU/mg by LAL kinetic turbidimetric assay.
| Test Parameter | Method | Specification | Typical Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Purity (RP-HPLC) | C18 column, UV 220 nm | ≥99.0% | ≥99.5% |
| Identity (ESI-MS) | Electrospray ionisation MS | ±0.1 Da of theoretical MW | Conforms |
| Copper Content (ICP-MS) | Inductively coupled plasma MS | Stoichiometric Cu(II) | Conforms |
| Endotoxin (LAL) | Kinetic turbidimetric LAL | <1.0 EU/mg | <0.5 EU/mg |
| Appearance | Visual inspection | Blue-green lyophilised powder | Conforms |
Mechanism of Action — Copper Delivery, Collagen Synthesis, and Gene Expression Modulation
GHK-Cu exerts its biological effects through multiple mechanisms that are mediated by both the intact copper-peptide complex and the individual components (GHK tripeptide and copper(II) ion). The copper(II) component is delivered to copper-dependent metalloenzymes including lysyl oxidase (LOX), which catalyses the oxidative deamination of lysine and hydroxylysine residues in collagen and elastin to form the crosslinks essential for extracellular matrix (ECM) integrity. Copper delivery by GHK-Cu to LOX and other copper-dependent enzymes is thought to be a key mechanism by which GHK-Cu promotes collagen synthesis and ECM remodelling in wound healing models.
The GHK tripeptide itself has been shown to activate multiple signalling pathways involved in tissue repair and cellular protection. GHK activates the PI3K/Akt pathway, promotes TGF-β1 expression and signalling, and activates the Nrf2/ARE antioxidant response pathway — leading to upregulation of antioxidant enzymes including superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase, and glutathione peroxidase. GHK also modulates the expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and their inhibitors (TIMPs), regulating the balance between ECM degradation and synthesis that is critical for effective wound healing.
Genome-wide gene expression studies using Affymetrix microarrays have demonstrated that GHK-Cu modulates the expression of over 4,000 human genes at concentrations of 1–10 nM. These studies have identified GHK-Cu as a broad-spectrum biological response modifier that activates genes involved in tissue repair, anti-inflammatory signalling, and cellular differentiation while suppressing genes associated with inflammation, oxidative stress, and cancer progression. The breadth of GHK-Cu’s gene expression effects makes it a valuable research tool for investigating the molecular mechanisms of tissue homeostasis and repair.
Research Applications
GHK-Cu is used across several areas of wound healing, dermatology, and cell biology research. In wound healing and tissue repair research, GHK-Cu is used in fibroblast and keratinocyte cell culture models to investigate its effects on collagen synthesis, cell migration, and ECM remodelling. Standard assays include collagen quantification by Sircol assay, cell migration by scratch wound assay, and gene expression analysis by qRT-PCR or RNA-seq. GHK-Cu is also used in animal models of wound healing (excisional wound models, diabetic wound models) to characterise its effects on wound closure rate, collagen deposition, and angiogenesis.
In antioxidant and anti-inflammatory research, GHK-Cu is used to investigate its effects on oxidative stress markers, inflammatory cytokine production, and Nrf2 pathway activation in cell culture models. The compound’s ability to activate the Nrf2/ARE pathway and upregulate antioxidant enzymes makes it a useful research tool for studying cellular defence mechanisms against oxidative stress.
Gene expression and genomics research represents a significant application area for GHK-Cu, given the broad scope of its effects on human gene expression. Researchers use GHK-Cu in transcriptomic studies to characterise the molecular signatures of tissue repair and homeostasis, and to identify novel therapeutic targets for conditions associated with impaired wound healing, chronic inflammation, and tissue degeneration.
Storage, Stability & Handling
| Condition | Specification | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Long-term storage (lyophilised) | −20°C | Stable for ≥24 months from manufacture date |
| Short-term storage (lyophilised) | 2–8°C | Acceptable for up to 4 weeks; desiccated |
| Reconstituted solution | 2–8°C, use within 14 days | Aliquot and freeze at −80°C for extended storage |
| Light sensitivity | Protect from light | Cu(II) complexes may be light-sensitive; store in amber vials |
| Humidity | Low humidity environment | Hygroscopic; desiccant recommended |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the molecular weight of GHK-Cu?
The molecular weight of GHK-Cu (Copper(II) glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine) is 403.91 Da. The molecular formula is C14H23CuN6O4⁺ and the CAS number is 89030-95-5. GHK-Cu is a blue-green lyophilised powder due to the characteristic colour of the Cu(II) coordination complex.
Why does GHK-Cu appear blue-green?
The blue-green colour of GHK-Cu is characteristic of the Cu(II) coordination complex formed between the GHK tripeptide and the copper(II) ion. Copper(II) complexes absorb light in the red-orange region of the visible spectrum (~600–700 nm) and therefore appear blue-green. This colour is a useful visual indicator of successful Cu(II) complexation and is expected in correctly manufactured GHK-Cu preparations.
What is the difference between the 50mg and 100mg refill formats?
The GHK-Cu 50mg and 100mg refill formats contain the same active compound at the same purity specification. The 100mg format is designed for research programmes requiring larger quantities of GHK-Cu, offering a more economical option for high-throughput or large-scale studies. Both formats are supplied with batch-specific CoA documentation.
Is a Certificate of Analysis available?
Yes. Batch-specific CoA documents — including annotated HPLC chromatograms, MS data, and ICP-MS copper content data — are available through the AbsoluteBioLab CoA Portal and are included with each order.
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