For research purposes only. This guide describes the chemical identity and laboratory handling of GHK-Cu and summarises findings reported in published research. It is not medical advice and does not describe any effect, dose, or use in humans or animals.
What is GHK-Cu?
GHK-Cu (Copper Peptide) is the tripeptide glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine (sequence Gly-His-Lys) in complex with copper(II). It is also known as Copper tripeptide-1. It is supplied as a research-grade reference compound.
PurePeptides offers GHK-Cu at >99% purity strictly for in-vitro laboratory research. This page describes its chemical identity and handling only.
GHK-Cu is the copper(II) complex of the tripeptide glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine (Gly-His-Lys). The GHK sequence has a high affinity for copper ions, and the resulting complex is studied in copper-peptide research relating to skin remodelling, extracellular-matrix biology and wound-healing models. The free tripeptide (GHK) is approximately 340.4 g/mol; the copper complex is approximately 403.9 g/mol.
Chemical identity & specifications
| Product | GHK-Cu |
| Full name | Copper tripeptide-1 |
| Synonyms | GHK-Cu; Copper peptide; Prezatide copper |
| Classification | Copper-binding tripeptide |
| Sequence | Gly-His-Lys (with copper(II)) |
| CAS number | 89030-95-5 |
| Solubility | Water-soluble |
| Purity | >99% |
| Physical form | Lyophilised powder |
| Storage | -20°C lyophilised; 2-8°C reconstituted |
| Intended use | Research use only - not for human consumption |
Handling GHK-Cu in research protocols
In laboratory settings, lyophilised GHK-Cu is typically stored at -20°C, protected from light and moisture, until use. For reconstitution, bacteriostatic water is a commonly cited solvent; once in solution, the material is generally kept refrigerated at 2-8°C with freeze-thaw cycles minimised to preserve peptide integrity.
Researchers quantify GHK-Cu by concentration within their experimental system — for example molar concentrations for in-vitro work, or amount-per-mass figures in animal models. These are parameters defined by the study design and reported in the literature; they are not dosing guidance for any human or animal use. To convert between vial mass, solvent volume, and target concentration for laboratory preparation, our peptide reconstitution calculator may be useful.
Findings reported in the research literature
GHK and GHK-Cu appear in copper-peptide research literature, particularly in-vitro studies of fibroblast biology, collagen and the extracellular matrix. The tripeptide’s copper-binding behaviour is a recurring focus of this research.
Any effects described in this literature are observations made in controlled experimental systems — cell assays and animal models — and are reported here only to summarise the scientific record. They do not constitute claims about outcomes, efficacy, benefits, or safety in humans, and nothing on this page should be read as encouraging human or animal use. Readers interested in the primary research can review the indexed literature via PubMed’s GHK-Cu results.
GHK-Cu and related copper / skin-research peptides
GHK-Cu is the best-known of the copper-binding research peptides. It is often studied alongside its lipidated derivative, Palmitoyl-GHK (Pal-GHK), in which a palmitic-acid chain is added to the GHK tripeptide to alter its solubility and membrane affinity for experimental work.
| Peptide | Class | Sequence | Note (research) |
| GHK-Cu | Copper-binding tripeptide | Gly-His-Lys + Cu(II) | Copper(II) complex; copper-peptide research |
| Palmitoyl-GHK | Lipidated GHK derivative | Palmitoyl-Gly-His-Lys | Lipid-modified GHK studied in skin research |
Both are supplied by PurePeptides strictly as research materials, with no claim regarding outcomes in humans or animals.
Purity and quality control in research-grade GHK-Cu
In laboratory research, peptide purity has a direct bearing on reproducibility: synthesis by-products or residual reagents can confound experimental observations. PurePeptides supplies GHK-Cu at greater than 99% purity as a lyophilised powder.
In peptide manufacturing, purity is typically assessed by reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), while identity is confirmed by mass spectrometry (MS) against the expected molecular weight — approximately 403.9 g/mol (copper complex) for GHK-Cu. A certificate of analysis (COA) documenting these results is available on request for the current batch. When evaluating any research-grade peptide, requesting the COA and confirming both the purity figure and the mass-spec identity is good laboratory practice.
Frequently asked questions
GHK-Cu is the tripeptide glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine (Gly-His-Lys) in complex with copper(II), also known as Copper tripeptide-1, supplied as a lyophilised powder for research use only.
It is also called copper peptide, Copper tripeptide-1, and prezatide copper.
The GHK tripeptide has a high binding affinity for copper(II) ions. The copper complex (GHK-Cu) is the form studied in most copper-peptide research.
Palmitoyl-GHK is a lipidated derivative in which a palmitic-acid chain is attached to the GHK tripeptide, altering its solubility and membrane affinity for experimental use. GHK-Cu is the copper(II) complex of the unmodified tripeptide.
PurePeptides supplies GHK-Cu at greater than 99% purity as a lyophilised powder. A certificate of analysis (COA) is available on request for the current batch.
Store the lyophilised powder at -20°C, protected from light and moisture. In the laboratory it is commonly reconstituted with bacteriostatic water; once in solution, store refrigerated at 2-8°C and minimise freeze-thaw cycles.
Research-grade GHK-Cu is available from PurePeptides at greater than 99% purity, with same-day dispatch before 3PM and tracked UK & EU delivery. It is sold strictly for laboratory research use only.
Research-grade GHK-Cu
Greater than 99% purity, lyophilised powder, same-day dispatch before 3PM with tracked UK & EU delivery. Research use only.
Buy GHK-Cu →Disclaimer: All products supplied by PurePeptides are strictly for laboratory research use only. They are not for human or animal consumption and are not medical products. This guide is informational and summarises publicly available research; it is not medical, clinical, or dosing advice.