Dermal Research Compound
GHK-Cu is studied mainly in skin and tissue research. It is a small peptide that naturally carries copper — a mineral cells rely on — and researchers look at how it influences the skin's support structure (collagen and the surrounding matrix), wound repair, and the activity of fibroblasts, the cells that rebuild tissue.
Type
Tripeptide copper(II) complex
Molecular formula
C14H24CuN6O4
Molecular weight
~403.9 g/mol (free GHK ligand 340.4 g/mol)
CAS number
89030-95-5
Amino acids
3
Sequence
Gly-His-Lys + Cu(II)
Modification
Copper(II) complex of Gly-His-Lys; Cu coordinated by the N-terminal amine, backbone amide nitrogen and histidine imidazole.
The copper(II) coordination complex of the tripeptide glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine, functioning structurally as a high-affinity copper carrier. Research characterizes its interactions with extracellular-matrix and copper-dependent pathways.
Research Focus
Studied in dermal matrix biology, fibroblast/collagen-synthesis research and wound-repair models.
Lyophilized
-20°C, sealed and protected from light/moisture
stable months to years.
Reconstituted
2-8°C short term
-20°C for longer aliquoted storage.
A blue/violet color indicates intact copper coordination; avoid freeze-thaw; aqueous stability is pH-dependent.
Reviews
Mortazavi SM, et al. (2024). BioImpacts — Topical GHK formulation and permeability review
Pickart L, Margolina A. (2018). Int J Mol Sci — Gene-data synthesis review
Pickart L, et al. (2015). BioMed Research International — Skin-regeneration pathways review
Pickart L, et al. (2012). Oxid Med Cell Longev — Antioxidant and oxidative-stress review
Gorouhi F, Maibach HI. (2009). Int J Cosmet Sci — Topical-peptide review (independent)
Maquart FX, et al. (2005). Biochimie — Matrikine and ECM-regulation review (independent)
Clinical
Lee WJ, et al. (2016). Ann Dermatol — RCT of a 5-ALA/GHK combination in a hair study (combination product, not GHK-Cu alone)
Mulder GD, et al. (1994). Wound Repair Regen — RCT in a diabetic neuropathic-ulcer study
Primary research
Mao S, et al. (2025). Front Pharmacol — DSS colitis model (animal/in vitro)
Greco V, et al. (2025). Bioconjug Chem — GHK-hyaluronan copper conjugates, osteogenic/angiogenic assays (in vitro)
Bian Y, et al. (2024). Redox Biology — Silicosis model, PRDX6 target (animal/in vitro)
Zhang Q, et al. (2022). Front Mol Biosci — Cigarette-smoke emphysema model (animal)
Ma WH, et al. (2020). Life Sciences — Bleomycin pulmonary-fibrosis model (animal/in vitro)
Klontzas ME, et al. (2019). Acta Biomaterialia — Alginate-GHK scaffold, MSC osteogenesis (in vitro)
Choi HR, et al. (2012). J Pept Sci — Copper-free GHK, keratinocyte/stem-cell markers (in vitro)
Campbell JD, et al. (2012). Genome Medicine — Connectivity-Map gene-signature study in COPD fibroblasts (in vitro/computational)
Hureau C, et al. (2011). Chem Eur J — Cu(II)-GHK coordination and redox-silencing study (structural/spectroscopic)
Gul NY, et al. (2008). Vet Dermatol — Rabbit wound model (animal)
Arul V, et al. (2007). Life Sciences — Diabetic-rat collagen-matrix wound model (animal)
Cangul IT, et al. (2006). Vet Dermatol — Rabbit open-wound model (animal)
Canapp SO, et al. (2003). Vet Surg — Ischemic open-wound model (animal)
Conato C, et al. (2001). Biochim Biophys Acta — Copper-complex chemistry of GHK and analogues (in vitro)
Siméon A, et al. (2000). J Invest Dermatol — Wound glycosaminoglycan/proteoglycan study (animal)
Siméon A, et al. (2000). Life Sciences — Fibroblast MMP-2 study (in vitro)
Maquart FX, et al. (1993). J Clin Invest — Rat wound-chamber connective-tissue study (animal)
Wegrowski Y, et al. (1992). Life Sciences — Fibroblast sulfated-GAG-synthesis study (in vitro)
Maquart FX, et al. (1988). FEBS Letters — Fibroblast collagen-synthesis study (in vitro)
Lau SJ, Sarkar B. (1981). Biochem J — Copper(II)-GHK binding and stability-constant study (in vitro)
Pickart L, et al. (1980). Nature — Copper-uptake study in hepatoma cells (in vitro)
Schlesinger DH, et al. (1977). Experientia — Sequence identification as glycyl-histidyl-lysine (biochemical)
Pickart L, Thaler MM. (1973). Nature New Biology — Foundational serum-tripeptide description (in vitro)
Also known as: Copper tripeptide-1, Cu-GHK
Research Use Only
These products are intended for research purposes only and are not for human consumption. Not FDA approved. Not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
