SKU LUM-GHKCU-50 · C₁₄H₂₄CuN₆O₄ · 403.94 g/mol · CAS 49557-75-7
A naturally-occurring copper-binding tripeptide (Gly-His-Lys) supplied as a 1:1 Cu²⁺ complex. Studied for collagen synthesis, antioxidant activity, and skin-repair pathways.
GHK-Cu is the copper(II) complex of the tripeptide Gly-His-Lys, originally identified in human plasma. It is investigated for upregulation of collagen and glycosaminoglycan synthesis, antioxidant activity, and modulation of fibroblast and stem-cell behavior in dermal-repair models.
Each vial is lyophilized from a buffered solution, sealed under nitrogen, and shipped ~4 days from our lab.
Sold for laboratory research only. This material is not a drug, food, or cosmetic and is not intended for diagnostic, therapeutic, or recreational use.
Identity
Parameter
Value
Sequence
Gly-His-Lys (with Cu²⁺ bound to histidine imidazole + amide nitrogens)
Molecular formula
C₁₄H₂₄CuN₆O₄
Molecular weight
403.94 g/mol
CAS number
49557-75-7
Length
Tripeptide-copper complex
Quality
Test
Specification
HPLC purity
99.84%
Lot LM-2771 (50 mg)
Independently tested by Testides (report LUME-GHK-Cu-50-061626): HPLC-UV purity and peptide content for the 50 mg lot. COAs for other strengths are available on request: email support@lumerapeptide.com with your batch number.
Allow vial to reach room temperature before opening (≥ 20 minutes). Reconstitute with 1.0-2.5 mL of sterile bacteriostatic water (0.9% benzyl alcohol). Inject solvent slowly down the inner wall of the vial; do not direct stream onto the lyophilized cake.
Swirl gently for 30 seconds. Do not vortex. Allow to dissolve for 5 minutes; clarity should be complete with no visible particulates.
Storage after reconstitution
Reconstituted solution is stable for 28 days at 2-8 °C in original vial. For longer storage, aliquot into low-binding tubes and hold at −80 °C; avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles. Discard if turbidity, color change, or particulate matter is observed.
Selected references
Pickart L, Margolina A. Regenerative and protective actions of the GHK-Cu peptide. Int J Mol Sci. 2018;19(7):1987.
Maquart FX et al. Stimulation of collagen synthesis by the tripeptide-copper complex glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine-Cu²⁺. FEBS Lett. 1988;238(2):343-346.
Pickart L et al. The human tripeptide GHK-Cu in prevention of oxidative stress and degenerative conditions of aging. Biomed Res Int. 2012;2012:324832.
GHK-Cu is a copper-binding tripeptide, classified within the wound-repair signaling pathway. Structurally it is a Gly-His-Lys + Cu²⁺ chelation complex. GHK-Cu is a copper-bound tripeptide naturally present in plasma at higher concentrations in young adults than in older ones. Pickart and Margolina (2018) characterized its broad signal-modulating effects on fibroblast proliferation, collagen synthesis, and antioxidant gene expression.
In an in-vitro setting, GHK-Cu interacts with its target receptor(s) at low-nanomolar affinities under standard binding-assay conditions. Reconstitution should be performed in sterile bacteriostatic water at the working concentration your protocol specifies; the lyophilized vial is sealed under nitrogen and stable until reconstituted.
Common research applications
In-vitro receptor-binding and dose-response screens against the wound-repair signaling target panel.
Comparative pharmacology against related class members and previously published reference standards.
Time-course studies leveraging GHK-Cu's known stability profile.
Cross-batch HPLC fingerprint comparison against the lot-specific COA published for the tested lot.
Storage & handling
GHK-Cu arrives lyophilized in Canada Post (~4 days). On receipt, transfer immediately to a −20 °C freezer. Once reconstituted, store at 2-8 °C and use within the window noted on the lot's COA. Avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles.
References
Pickart L, Margolina A. Int J Mol Sci. 2018;19(7):1987.
Maquart FX et al. Connect Tissue Res. 1996;34(3):175-82.
Pickart L et al. BioMed Res Int. 2015;2015:648108.
For laboratory research only. GHK-Cu is sold strictly as an in-vitro reference standard. Sold as an in-vitro reference standard, not as a Health Canada or FDA-approved therapeutic.
