GHK-Cu: research summary
For laboratory research use only. Not for human or veterinary use. This page summarises published literature. It gives no advice on use.
What the literature covers
GHK-Cu is the copper(II) complex of the tripeptide glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine (GHK). GHK binds copper with high affinity through the histidine imidazole, the glycine amino group and the backbone amide nitrogen. Its coordination chemistry was characterised in the early 1980s.
In vitro, GHK-Cu has been studied in fibroblast cultures. Published papers report effects on collagen synthesis and on the expression of matrix metalloproteinases and their inhibitors. This makes it a common reference compound in extracellular-matrix and cosmetic-science research.
The copper complex is blue-violet when lyophilised. Its colour and copper content are useful identity checks alongside HPLC and mass spectrometry.
Key facts
| GHK-Cu | Epitalon | |
|---|---|---|
| CAS | 89030-95-5 | 307297-39-8 |
| Formula | C14H23CuN6O4+ | C14H22N4O9 |
| Molecular weight (g/mol) | 402.92 | 390.35 |
Source: PubChem CID 71587328.
GHK-Cu compared with Epitalon
GHK-Cu and Epitalon are both very short peptides: three residues plus copper, and four residues. GHK-Cu is a metal complex, and its literature centres on copper coordination and matrix biology in fibroblast cultures. Epitalon (Ala-Glu-Asp-Gly) is studied mainly in gene-expression experiments.
Full side-by-side: GHK-Cu vs Epitalon · Epitalon research summary
Frequently asked questions
- Is GHK-Cu the same as GHK?
- No. GHK is the free tripeptide. GHK-Cu is GHK bound to a copper(II) ion. They have different molecular weights and behave differently in solution.
- What is the molecular weight of GHK-Cu?
- About 402.9 g/mol for the copper complex ion C14H23CuN6O4+ (PubChem CID 71587328).
- Why is GHK-Cu blue?
- The colour comes from the copper(II) centre. A colourless or green lyophilised cake is a reason to check the lot's CoA.
Published literature cited
- Maquart FX, Pickart L, Laurent M, Gillery P, Monboisse JC, Borel JP. (1988). Stimulation of collagen synthesis in fibroblast cultures by the tripeptide-copper complex glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine-Cu2+. FEBS Lett. PMID 3169264 · doi:10.1016/0014-5793(88)80509-x
- Siméon A, Emonard H, Hornebeck W, Maquart FX. (2000). The tripeptide-copper complex glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine-Cu2+ stimulates matrix metalloproteinase-2 expression by fibroblast cultures. Life Sci. PMID 11045606 · doi:10.1016/s0024-3205(00)00803-1
- Lau SJ, Sarkar B. (1981). The interaction of copper(II) and glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine, a growth-modulating tripeptide from plasma. Biochem J. PMID 7340824 · doi:10.1042/bj1990649
Every citation was looked up by PMID in Europe PMC (MEDLINE) on 2026-10-14 and its title matched. Citation means the paper exists and is relevant to the compound. It does not mean the paper supports any use.