GHK-Cu, 60 mg

What is GHK-Cu?

GHK-Cu (Copper Tripeptide-1) is a copper(II) complex with a synthetic (or naturally occurring) tripeptide with the sequence Gly–His–Lys. It constitutes a stable chelate complex in which the Cu²⁺ ion is coordinated by the imidazole nitrogens of histidine, the α-amino group of glycine, and the deprotonated nitrogen of the peptide bond. This compound was isolated and characterised in the 1970s as part of research into factors present in blood plasma. Due to the high stability constant of the complex and good solubility in an aqueous environment, GHK-Cu has become a useful model for research into peptide-metal interactions and copper-dependent cell signalling.

In experimental studies, GHK-Cu has been used to analyse mechanisms related to the modulation of gene expression, extracellular matrix remodelling, and the cellular response to oxidative stress. Its effect on the regulation of signalling pathways associated with the synthesis of matrix components (including collagen and glycosaminoglycans), antioxidant enzyme activity, and cell migration and adhesion processes in in vitro models has been described. Attention has been drawn to its interactions with copper ions and its indirect influence on redox homeostasis under experimental conditions.

Due to the precisely defined chemical structure of the complex and the high reproducibility of the observed biological effects in preclinical models, GHK-Cu is used as a research tool in molecular biology, cell biology and experimental pharmacology. In the scientific literature, it is also utilised as a reference peptide-metal complex for the evaluation of copper-dependent signalling processes and for the validation of analytical methods used in the study of short bioactive peptides. The preparation is intended exclusively for research work.

Technical specifications of the GHK-Cu peptide:

• Substance name: GHK-Cu (Copper Tripeptide-1)
• Type of compound: synthetic copper(II) complex with the tripeptide Gly–His–Lys
• Amino acid sequence: Gly–His–Lys (GHK) · Cu²⁺
• Empirical formula: C₁₄H₂₂CuN₆O₄
• Molecular mass: ~401.9 g/mol
• CAS Number: 89030-95-5
• Physical form: blue to violet lyophilised powder
• Solubility: readily soluble in aqueous solutions

What does the product packaging contain (GHK-Cu, 60 mg)?

• Vial with powder (Mannitol, GHK-Cu 60 mg)
• Saline vial with 3% DMSO 10 ml
• Atomiser (for spraying a portion of solution onto a laboratory glass slide)
• Funnel (helps pour solvent into the peptide vial)

It is worth noting that the lyophilised powder will be blue-white in colour due to the presence of the GHK-Cu peptide. The volume of powder in the vial may appear small, but this does not affect the peptide content measured in milligrams.

The safety data sheet (SDS) for this product can be downloaded here

How to prepare a solution for laboratory testing?

• unscrew the stoppers from both vials
• Transfer the liquid from the liquid vial to the powder vial
• cap the vial with the powder with the original stopper
• Mix carefully (no sudden movements)
• unscrew the plug, remove the ring from the seal (important to keep it tight) and screw on the atomizer

The vial contains 70 puffs of 0.857 mg GHK-Cu.

Storage and transportation

In dry form, the peptide can be stored at room temperature away from direct sunlight

In wet form (after the solution has been prepared), the peptide should be refrigerated for up to 40 days at all times.

Research application of the product (GHK-Cu, 60 mg)

The product is intended for research use only under conditions in vitro, where it can serve as a specialist reagent for molecular, biochemical and cellular analyses concerning copper-ion-complexing peptides. In laboratory models, it is used for:

• studies on the interactions of the peptide-copper complex with selected proteins, enzymes and cell markers;
• assessments of the impact of GHK-Cu on the expression of selected genes, proteins and regulatory factors in cell cultures;
• analyses of processes and signalling pathways related to cellular response, extracellular matrix remodelling and copper ion metabolism;
• conducting research into the properties of peptide complexes containing copper ions and their stability under various experimental conditions;
• support for validation and comparative methods within molecular, biochemical and cellular analyses;
• observation of droplets, sediments and crystalline structures using optical and polarised microscopy;
• analyses of the size and distribution of droplets produced by the atomiser, including by depositing them onto a microscope slide;
• determinations of the size and distribution of aggregates present in solution by dynamic light scattering (DLS);
• carrying out spectrophotometric analyses using the UV-Vis method, including the evaluation of the absorption properties of the tested complex in an appropriately selected wavelength range.

Disclaimer

The product is not a medicinal product, foodstuff or dietary supplement. The product is classified as a chemical reagent/reference material approved for marketing within the European Union under the European REACH regulation, and may be used solely for laboratory scientific research. Educational materials regarding the GHK-CU substance published on our website are written on the basis of scientific research into the substance. This research was conducted by qualified scientific centres worldwide and does not relate to specific products.