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Out of StockMolecular Profile
Molecular Profile
Type
Synthetic copper(II)–tripeptide coordination complex
Molecular formula
C15H26N6O4
Molecular weight
~416.9 g/mol (AHK-Cu complex); free AHK tripeptide 354.40 g/mol
CAS number
682809-81-0
Amino acids
3
Sequence
Ala-His-Lys + Cu(II)
Modification
Copper(II) chelation via histidine imidazole and backbone nitrogen donor atoms; commonly supplied as the monohydrochloride salt.
Mechanism & Target Class
Mechanism & Target Class
AHK-Cu is a copper(II)-complexed tripeptide in which the histidine imidazole side chain provides the principal metal-anchoring site, with copper(II) coordinated through nitrogen donor atoms — imidazole nitrogen together with backbone amide and terminal amine nitrogens — forming a stable chelate analogous in coordination motif to the GHK-Cu square-planar complex. The compound differs from GHK-Cu (Copper Tripeptide-1, Gly-His-Lys+Cu²⁺) only by an alanine-for-glycine substitution at the N-terminus, adding a methyl group that modestly increases lipophilicity and alters the three-dimensional geometry of the copper complex while preserving the conserved His-Lys copper-binding motif. In dermal model systems, the copper-tripeptide class is examined at the cellular level using endpoints including fibroblast and dermal papilla cell proliferative activity as a measured variable, and VEGF and TGF-β1 expression levels as molecular endpoints.
Storage & Handling
Storage & Handling
Lyophilized
Store sealed, protected from light and humidity, at freezer temperature for long-term stability in research settings.
As a copper chelate, integrity depends on maintaining the metal-peptide coordination; avoid competing chelators and extreme pH.
References
References
Reviews
- 1
Adnan SB, Maarof M, Fauzi MB, Md Fadilah NI (2025). International Journal of Medical Sciences
- 2
Pickart L, Margolina A (2018). International Journal of Molecular Sciences
Reviews
- 3
Pickart L, Vasquez-Soltero JM, Margolina A (2015). BioMed Research International
- 4
Pickart L (2008). Journal of Biomaterials Science Polymer Edition
Clinical
- 5
Kuceki G, Coppinger AJ, Ragi SD, Johnson LS, Goren A, Kalil LL, Cirino P, Wambier CG (2025). JAAD International
- 6
Miller TR, Wagner JD, Baack BR, Eisbach KJ (2006). Archives of Facial Plastic Surgery
Primary research
- 7
Pyo HK, Yoo HG, Won CH, Lee SH, Kang YJ, Eun HC, Cho KH, Kim KH (2007). Archives of Pharmacal Research
- 8
Sen CK, Khanna S, Venojarvi M, Trikha P, Ellison EC, Hunt TK, Roy S (2002). American Journal of Physiology – Heart and Circulatory Physiology
- 9
Maquart FX, Pickart L, Laurent M, Gillery P, Monboisse JC, Borel JP (1988). FEBS Letters
- 10
Wegrowski Y, Maquart FX, Borel JP (1992). Life Sciences
- 11
Trachy RE, Fors TD, Pickart L, Uno H (1991). Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences
- 12
Uno H, Kurata S (1993). Journal of Investigative Dermatology
- 13
Siméon A, Monier F, Emonard H, Gillery P, Birembaut P, Hornebeck W, Maquart FX (1999). Journal of Investigative Dermatology
- 14
Siméon A, Emonard H, Hornebeck W, Maquart FX (2000). Life Sciences
- 15
Siméon A, Wegrowski Y, Bontemps Y, Maquart FX (2000). Journal of Investigative Dermatology
- 16
Pollard JD, Quan S, Kang T, Koch RJ (2005). Archives of Facial Plastic Surgery
- 17
Kloepper JE, Sugawara K, Al-Nuaimi Y, Gáspár E, van Beek N, Paus R (2010). Experimental Dermatology
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Hostynek JJ, Dreher F, Maibach HI (2010). Inflammation Research
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Sakuma S, Ishimura M, Yuba Y, Itoh Y, Fujimoto Y (2018). International Journal of Physiology, Pathophysiology and Pharmacology
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Choi HR, Kang YA, Ryoo SJ, Shin JW, Na JI, Huh CH, Park KC (2012). Journal of Peptide Science
Primary Database
Primary Database
Also known as: Copper Tripeptide-3, L-Alanyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine-Cu(II)
View this compound in the Research Library →Research Use Only. All products sold by Luvaminos are intended solely for in vitro research and laboratory use by qualified professionals. They are not approved by the FDA and are not intended for human or animal consumption, therapeutic use, or diagnostic purposes. By purchasing, you confirm you are a licensed researcher or institution and accept full responsibility for compliance with all applicable laws and regulations.
