GHK-Cu · 30 May 2026
GHK-Cu: The Copper-Binding Tripeptide in Matrix Research
Essential Peptides Au · Journal · 3 min read
A copper-binding tripeptide first identified in human plasma in the 1970s. Most frequently cited in dermal and connective tissue research, often in topical formulations, where its copper-chelation properties are central to the mechanism under study. Has a longer publication history than most compounds on this list, with literature spanning wound research, hair follicle studies, and skin-ageing models.
Mechanism in brief
GHK binds Cu²⁺ with extraordinary affinity via coordination through the glycine α-amino group, the histidine imidazole, and the lysine α-amino group — a square-planar complex that remains intact under physiological conditions. The copper-loaded form has been studied for upregulation of collagen I, collagen III, fibronectin, and the proteoglycan decorin in fibroblast assay models.
In current research
The copper complex changes the optical and electrochemical properties of the peptide relative to the metal-free form, so analytical characterisation — UV-Vis, circular dichroism, ICP-MS for copper quantification — is a relevant workflow step. Comparative studies between GHK and GHK-Cu let researchers attribute transcriptional or matrix effects specifically to copper coordination rather than the bare tripeptide scaffold.
View compound
GHK-Cu in the catalogue
Related reading
For research use only. This article is provided for research and educational purposes and does not describe or imply therapeutic use. None of these compounds are for human or veterinary consumption.