Quick answer: GHK-Cu is a naturally occurring copper-binding tripeptide (glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine) studied mainly in dermal, wound-model, and gene-expression research. Working solutions are prepared from lyophilized powder by weight to volume, and the blue color of a reconstituted vial comes from the copper complex.
What GHK-Cu is
GHK is a tripeptide first isolated from human plasma in the 1970s. It binds copper(II) with high affinity to form GHK-Cu. Its plasma concentration declines with age, an observation that drove much of the early research interest. The copper complex is what gives the reconstituted solution its characteristic blue tint.
Where it appears in the literature
- Skin and connective tissue models: studies in fibroblast culture and animal wound models report effects on collagen synthesis, glycosaminoglycan production, and matrix remodeling.
- Gene expression: Broad Institute connectivity-map analyses reported GHK altering expression of a large number of human genes in cultured cells, which is why it is a frequent subject of in-vitro transcriptomic work.
- Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory assays: cell-based studies examining oxidative stress markers.
Preparation for in-vitro work
GHK-Cu is water-soluble and supplied lyophilized. Concentration is calculated by weight to volume: dividing the milligrams in the vial by the milliliters of solvent gives mg/mL, and multiplying by 1,000 converts to mcg/mL. Our peptide calculator does this and converts a target amount into a syringe draw for dilution series. Published cell-culture work typically dilutes a concentrated stock into media to reach micromolar working concentrations; consult the specific study for its conditions.
Stability
Store the lyophilized powder at -20°C, protected from light. Reconstituted solution should be refrigerated and used within days, or aliquoted and frozen. Copper complexes are light-sensitive; amber vials are worth using.
Routes in the literature
Published research on GHK-Cu spans topical formulations in dermatology models, direct application in wound models, and in-vitro exposure in culture. These are experimental contexts described in the cited studies, not instructions. Browse Peptides supplies GHK-Cu for laboratory research only.
Sources
- Pickart L, Margolina A. Regenerative and protective actions of the GHK-Cu peptide in the light of the new gene data. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 2018.
- Pickart L, Vasquez-Soltero JM, Margolina A. GHK peptide as a natural modulator of multiple cellular pathways in skin regeneration. BioMed Research International, 2015.
- Maquart FX et al. Stimulation of collagen synthesis in fibroblast cultures by the tripeptide-copper complex GHK-Cu2+. FEBS Letters, 1988.
All Browse Peptides products are supplied for laboratory research use only and are not for human or veterinary use. This article summarizes published literature for research reference and is not medical advice, a protocol, or a recommendation of any kind.