Copper coordination chemistry
The GHK-Cu(II) coordination geometry and stability constant are established physical chemistry — the reference data for analytical work with this complex.
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Compound profile
Copper & dermal peptidesGHK-Cu
Copper(II) complex of the glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine tripeptide (GHK) — a reference copper peptide for complexation, stability and analytical studies in vitro.
GHK-Cu is the copper(II) complex of glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine, a tripeptide sequence first isolated from human plasma in the 1970s. The free tripeptide binds copper(II) with high affinity, and the resulting coordination complex is the analytically defined form supplied here: a well-characterized small-molecule metal complex for in-vitro laboratory work.
Structure and class
GHK chelates copper(II) through its histidyl residue and amide donors, and the complex's formation constant and solution stability are well characterized — the core of its analytical interest. Work with the material should document the complexation state, since free-peptide and copper-complex behavior differ in downstream assays.
Chemistry and analytical notes
Notes cover structural and analytical chemistry; each link runs a live PubMed search for the topic.
Tripeptide identity
The glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine sequence is confirmed by MS, with the copper-complex state documented on the certificate of analysis.
Search PubMedMetal-contamination control
Copper peptides require metal-clean consumables and compatible containers; trace-metal control is part of reproducible handling.
Search PubMedPlasma-origin sequence
The GHK sequence occurs naturally in human plasma — a structural note that made it a long-standing reference in peptide-chemistry literature.
Search PubMedHandling & storage
Store lyophilized at −20°C, protected from light and moisture. Reconstitute with reconstitution-grade sterile water under aseptic technique; keep the solution at 2–8°C, avoid repeated freeze–thaw cycles and use within your protocol's stability window. For laboratory research use only — not for human or veterinary use.
For laboratory research use only
All products are sold strictly for laboratory research purposes only. Not for human or veterinary consumption, diagnostic, or therapeutic use. The information on this page is a chemistry and handling summary for qualified researchers — it is not medical advice, and nothing here constitutes a claim of safety or efficacy in humans.
GHK-Cu
Source this compound for your laboratory
Every batch is released only at ≥99% HPLC purity with an MS identity check, registered against a batch number you can verify online before you open the vial.