For laboratory research use only. Not for human or veterinary use. Nothing on this page is medical advice, and no product is intended to diagnose, treat or prevent any condition.
GHK-Cu is a small copper-binding peptide made of three amino acids: glycine, histidine and lysine. It was first identified in human plasma in the 1970s and has since become one of the most-studied copper peptides in cell and tissue biology. This hub brings together our GHK-Cu research articles, the product page and the lab tools you need, in one place.
What is GHK-Cu?
GHK (glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine) binds copper(II) ions strongly, forming the GHK-Cu complex. Researchers study it because of how it interacts with copper transport, extracellular matrix proteins such as collagen, and gene-expression patterns in cultured cells. A widely cited review is Pickart & Margolina, “Regenerative and Protective Actions of the GHK-Cu Peptide in the Light of the New Gene Data” (Int J Mol Sci, 2018).
Start here: What does GHK-Cu peptide do? and GHK-Cu mechanism, research applications and handling.
What published research looks at
- Extracellular matrix biology – collagen, elastin and glycosaminoglycan synthesis in fibroblast and tissue models.
- Gene-expression studies – datasets such as the Broad Institute Connectivity Map have been used to look at which genes GHK changes in cell lines.
- Antioxidant and copper-handling pathways – how the peptide delivers or buffers copper in experimental systems.
- Comparisons with other peptides – see GHK-Cu vs BPC-157 and GHK-Cu vs TB-500.
Most of this evidence comes from cell culture and animal models. Findings in those models do not establish effects in people. Our evidence review covers what the studies can and can’t tell you.
Quality: HPLC and COA
Every batch of our GHK-Cu is HPLC-verified, and a Certificate of Analysis (COA) is supplied per batch. When you compare suppliers, check that the COA names the batch number, the test method (HPLC, ideally with mass-spec identity confirmation), the purity percentage and the test date. Our guide to HPLC purity and COA standards explains what to look for.
Lab handling and calculations
GHK-Cu is supplied as a lyophilised (freeze-dried) powder. Store it cold, dry and away from light, and follow your lab’s standard procedures for reconstitution in a suitable diluent such as bacteriostatic water. Use our free peptide calculator to work out solution concentration from vial mass and diluent volume.
GHK-Cu products for research
- GHK-Cu – HPLC-verified copper peptide, COA per batch
- Glow Stack – GHK-Cu + BPC-157 + TB-500 research blend
- KLOW blend – GHK-Cu, BPC-157, TB-500 and KPV (KLOW research guide)
UK legal status
GHK-Cu is sold in the UK as a research chemical, not a medicine. Read Is GHK-Cu legal in the UK? and, for the regulator’s position on medicines, see the MHRA.
Further reading
- What published GHK studies report
- GHK-Cu safety data in research models
- BPC-157 research hub | TB-500 research hub | Peptides UK guide
- External: PubMed GHK-Cu literature
All Peptides UK products are for laboratory research use only. Not for human consumption.
GHK-Cu at a glance
| Property | Detail |
|---|---|
| Sequence | Gly-His-Lys (glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine), a tripeptide |
| Form studied | Copper(II) complex, GHK-Cu, usually supplied as a blue lyophilised powder |
| First described | Isolated from human plasma by Loren Pickart in the 1970s |
| Main research areas | Extracellular matrix, fibroblast biology, gene expression, antioxidant and copper-handling pathways, cosmetic science |
| Evidence base | Mostly cell culture and animal models; limited controlled human data, mainly topical cosmetic studies |
| UK status | Not a licensed medicine; supplied by us for laboratory research use only |
Why is GHK-Cu so widely studied?
GHK binds copper tightly, and copper is a cofactor for enzymes involved in collagen and elastin cross-linking, such as lysyl oxidase. That gives researchers a clear biological reason to study the peptide in matrix and skin biology. A second reason is the gene-expression work: analyses using public datasets suggested GHK is associated with changes in the activity of a large number of human genes in cell lines. Two reviews by Pickart and colleagues summarise this, one focused on skin regeneration pathways (Biomed Res Int 2015) and one on the newer gene data (Int J Mol Sci 2018).
Researchers should read those gene-expression findings carefully. A change in gene expression in a cultured cell line is a hypothesis-generating result. It does not show that the same change happens in living tissue, or that it has any particular effect.
Common questions researchers ask about GHK-Cu
Is GHK the same as GHK-Cu?
No. GHK is the free tripeptide. GHK-Cu is the same peptide bound to a copper(II) ion. Much of the biological interest relates to the copper complex, so check which form a paper used before comparing results.
Why is GHK-Cu powder blue?
The colour comes from the copper(II) ion. A noticeably different colour, or a powder that is not uniform, is a reason to check the batch certificate and contact the supplier before use.
Does GHK-Cu actually work?
That depends on what you mean by “work”. There is consistent cell and animal evidence that it interacts with matrix and copper pathways. There is much less high-quality human evidence. Our evidence review sets out where the data is strong and where it is thin.
How to use this hub
Each of our GHK-Cu articles answers one specific question, so you do not have to read them all. Use this as a map:
| If you want to know… | Read |
|---|---|
| What the peptide does in research models | What does GHK-Cu peptide do? |
| The mechanism in more depth | GHK-Cu mechanism and handling |
| How to reconstitute it in the lab | How to reconstitute GHK-Cu |
| What safety data exists in research models | GHK-Cu safety data |
| How to judge a GHK-Cu powder | GHK-Cu powder buyer’s guide |
| Skin ageing research | GHK-Cu and skin ageing research |
| Hair follicle research | GHK-Cu and hair research |
Checking a GHK-Cu batch before you start
- Match the batch number on the vial to the certificate of analysis.
- Check purity by HPLC and look at the chromatogram, not just the headline percentage.
- Confirm identity by mass spectrometry. The free GHK tripeptide has a molecular weight of roughly 340 Da; the copper complex is heavier, so check which species the certificate reports.
- Look for the test date and lab name.
Our guide to reading a certificate of analysis walks through each of these step by step, and our quality standards SOP explains how we test every batch.
What kinds of GHK-Cu studies are there?
It helps to group the literature by model type before reading individual papers:
- Fibroblast and keratinocyte cultures. The largest group. These look at collagen and glycosaminoglycan production, cell migration in scratch assays and markers of matrix turnover such as metalloproteinases.
- Gene-expression analyses. Studies that use public expression datasets to see which genes move up or down with GHK in cell lines. These are broad screening results.
- Animal models. Rodent studies of skin and connective tissue repair biology, which test whether cell findings hold up in a whole organism.
- Topical cosmetic studies. A smaller group of studies on creams containing copper peptides, often short, small and industry-funded.
When you cite GHK-Cu work, say which group a study belongs to. A good habit is to note the concentration used, because many cell results come from concentrations that may not be reached in tissue.
GHK-Cu compared with other research peptides
GHK-Cu is often studied alongside BPC-157 and thymosin beta-4 (TB-500) because all three appear in tissue biology research. They are very different molecules: GHK-Cu is a copper-binding tripeptide, BPC-157 is a 15-amino-acid fragment studied in gut and tendon models, and thymosin beta-4 is a 43-amino-acid actin-binding peptide. Combining them in a study multiplies the number of variables, so good design tests each one alone first.
Handling notes that cause the most problems
- Light and heat. Store sealed vials cold, dry and dark.
- pH and buffers. Copper complexes can be affected by strongly chelating buffers such as EDTA, which can strip copper from the peptide. Choose your diluent and buffer with this in mind.
- Freeze-thaw cycles. Aliquot working solutions rather than repeatedly thawing one stock.
Frequently asked questions
What is GHK-Cu?
GHK-Cu is the copper(II) complex of the tripeptide glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine. It was first isolated from human plasma in the 1970s and is studied in matrix, skin and gene-expression research.
Is GHK-Cu a medicine in the UK?
No. GHK-Cu is not a licensed medicine in the UK. Peptides Lab UK supplies it as a laboratory reference compound for research use only.
Why is my GHK-Cu powder blue?
The blue colour comes from the bound copper(II) ion. If the colour or texture looks unusual, check the batch certificate and contact the supplier.
What should a GHK-Cu certificate of analysis show?
It should show the batch number, HPLC purity with the chromatogram, mass spectrometry identity, the test date and the testing lab.
Can EDTA affect GHK-Cu?
Yes. EDTA and other strong chelators can remove copper from the peptide, which changes what you are studying. Avoid them unless that is your intention. Our guide to what not to mix with copper peptides covers acids, vitamin C and other common incompatibilities.
