GHK-Cu (glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine copper) is a naturally occurring copper-binding tripeptide with one of the most extensive research profiles of any small peptide. First isolated from human plasma in the early 1970s, it has been studied across wound healing, collagen synthesis, antioxidant activity and gene expression modulation. This profile covers its mechanism, key research areas and laboratory sourcing.
What is GHK-Cu?
GHK-Cu is a tripeptide — three amino acids (glycine, histidine, lysine) — bound to a copper(II) ion. It occurs naturally in human plasma, saliva and urine, and its plasma levels decline significantly with age. The copper component is integral to its biological activity; the peptide-copper complex has distinct properties from the peptide or copper alone. GHK-Cu was first characterised by Loren Pickart, and the subsequent decades of research have documented an unusually broad range of biological effects for such a small molecule.
Mechanism of action
GHK-Cu has been studied for several interconnected mechanisms. It acts as a chemoattractant for repair cells including macrophages and mast cells, accelerating the early phases of wound healing in animal models. It stimulates collagen and glycosaminoglycan synthesis in fibroblast research. It has superoxide dismutase-like antioxidant activity via its copper complex. Most significantly, microarray studies have documented its effects on gene expression — research has shown it modulates hundreds of genes, with a pattern broadly consistent with tissue remodelling and anti-inflammatory signalling.
Wound healing and collagen research
Wound healing has been the most extensively studied application of GHK-Cu. Animal wound models have consistently shown accelerated closure, increased collagen deposition and improved tensile strength in GHK-Cu-treated wounds. In vitro fibroblast research has confirmed direct stimulation of collagen, elastin and proteoglycan synthesis. This body of research makes GHK-Cu one of the most documented peptides for tissue repair applications in preclinical models.
Gene expression modulation
Perhaps the most striking finding in GHK-Cu research is its apparent gene expression activity. Studies using gene array analysis have reported effects on hundreds of genes, with patterns suggesting upregulation of tissue repair pathways and downregulation of inflammatory and cancer-related gene sets. This broad gene expression activity is unusual for a tripeptide and has generated significant research interest in ageing biology, where gene expression dysregulation is a central mechanism.
Purity requirements
GHK-Cu must be properly characterised to confirm both the peptide sequence and the copper content, as the biological activity depends on the copper-peptide complex. Every GHK-Cu batch Pepreta supplies is characterised by RP-HPLC to ≥99% purity and ESI-MS identity confirmation, with a batch Certificate of Analysis available.
Sourcing GHK-Cu for research
Pepreta supplies GHK-Cu as HPLC-verified lyophilised powder in 50mg and 100mg vials, dispatched from Sydney and Melbourne. For reconstitution guidance see our reconstitution guide. Supplied for laboratory and research use only — not for human or animal consumption.