Guide
GHK-Cu: A Research Compound Overview
GHK-Cu is one of the most-studied copper-binding peptides in laboratory chemistry. This overview covers what it is, the coordination chemistry researchers examine, how it is handled as a reference material, and why batch-level purity matters. It is written for laboratory research context only and makes no human-use claims.
What GHK-Cu is
GHK-Cu is the copper(II) complex of the tripeptide glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine — three amino acids coordinated to a single copper ion. It carries CAS number 49557-75-7, the molecular formula C14H24N6O4Cu, and a molecular weight of 403.93 g/mol.
As a research reference material it is supplied as a lyophilized powder and characterised by analytical methods such as HPLC for purity and mass spectrometry for identity.
Why it is studied
In the laboratory, GHK-Cu is used as a model compound for copper(II) ion coordination and peptide–metal binding chemistry — the question of how a short peptide sequence holds, releases, and exchanges a metal ion.
It also appears in cell-culture work on extracellular-matrix and collagen-related gene expression, in fibroblast and keratinocyte in vitro assays, and in laboratory models of antioxidant and metal-transport mechanisms. No medical, therapeutic, or diagnostic claims are made.
Handling and storage
Long-term storage is at -20°C (-4°F), protected from moisture and direct light. Copper complexes are sensitive to humidity, so the material is kept desiccated and in its original labeled container so the lot stays traceable.
This overview does not cover preparation or use of any kind. That falls outside laboratory research reference use, and we do not provide that guidance.
Why purity and identity matter
In a metal-binding study an impurity is an unknown variable, and with a copper complex the ratio of peptide to metal is part of what is being measured. A documented purity percentage by HPLC and a confirmed identity by mass spectrometry make findings reproducible and comparable across studies.
This is why a per-batch Certificate of Analysis — one tied to the exact lot you receive — is more useful than a generic brand-level document.
How to verify a GHK-Cu batch
Before relying on any batch, confirm three things: purity (an HPLC percentage), identity (a mass-spectrometry confirmation), and a traceable lot number with a test date. If the supplier lets you look up that batch’s report, you can match the documentation to the vial in hand.
See our guide on how to read a peptide COA for a field-by-field walkthrough.