Longevity & Cellular Health
GHK-Cu
Copper-chelated tripeptide studied for collagen and glycosaminoglycan synthesis, MMP and TIMP balance, and Wnt signalling in hair follicles.
Also known asCopper Peptide GHK · Glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine copper
Identity
Residue chain
One bead per amino acid residue, N-terminus to C-terminus. Long chains are shown truncated.
- Molecular weight
- 340.4 Da
- Amino acid residues
- 3
- Half-life
- 1–2 h
- CAS number
- 89030-95-5
Monograph
Specifications
- Research area
- Longevity & Cellular Health
- Half-life
- 1–2 h
- Molecular weight
- 340.4 Da
- Amino acid residues
- 3
- CAS number
- 89030-95-5
- Formula
- C₁₄H₂₃CuN₆O₄
- Sequence
- Gly-His-Lys (Cu²⁺ complex)
- Designation
- Copper(II) glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine
Pharmacokinetics
- Half-life
- 1–2 h
- T-max
- ~15 min
- Route
- Subcutaneous / topical (research use)
Receptor targets
- TGF-β1 receptorCollagen / GAG upregulation
- Wnt/β-catenin axisHair follicle stem-cell activation
- MMP-2/MMP-9Matrix remodeling modulation
Signalling cascade
- 1Cu²⁺ chelation
- 2TGF-β1 / Wnt signaling
- 3Collagen + GAG synthesis
- 4ECM remodeling
- Mechanism of action
- Copper-chelated tripeptide that upregulates collagen and glycosaminoglycan synthesis via TGF-β1 signaling. Modulates matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) activity for controlled extracellular matrix remodeling and activates hair follicle stem cells through Wnt/β-catenin pathways.
- Storage and handling
- Refrigerate at 2–8 °C after reconstitution. Protect from light.
Research focus
- 01Collagen I and III synthesis and ECM remodeling
- 02Angiogenesis via VEGF and FGF upregulation
- 03Hair follicle activation and keratinocyte proliferation
- 04Wound healing and skin barrier repair
- 05Antioxidant gene expression (SOD, catalase) in aging models
Overview
GHK-Cu is a copper-chelated tripeptide of glycine, histidine and lysine. Published work covers collagen I and III synthesis and extracellular matrix remodelling, the MMP and TIMP balance, VEGF and FGF-linked angiogenesis, keratinocyte proliferation and Wnt signalling in hair follicles, and antioxidant gene expression in ageing skin models.