⚠ FOR LABORATORY RESEARCH USE ONLY · NOT FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION · QUALIFIED RESEARCHERS 21+
// PB-0008 Peptide Recovery

GHK-Cu

Copper-binding tripeptide.

GHK-Cu is a naturally occurring copper-binding tripeptide originally isolated by Pickart from human plasma in the early 1970s. The literature describes it as a signaling molecule involved in tissue remodeling and copper homeostasis. Supplied as research-grade material with 3rd-party HPLC verification and full Certificate of Analysis per lot.

01

Compound profile.

// CHEMICAL & STRUCTURAL SPEC — GHK-CU
MOLECULAR FORMULA
C14H24N6O4·Cu
Peptide · recovery class.
MOLECULAR WEIGHT
402.9 Da
Monoisotopic / reported mass.
CHAIN LENGTH
3 aa
Primary structure residues.
ORIGIN
Human plasma
Source or discovery context.
STUDIED PATHWAYS
Cu²⁺ transport · Collagen
Reported in published literature.
REPORTED HALF-LIFE
Rapid (<30 min)
Free peptide short t½.
HPLC PURITY
99.8%
Minimum release spec · typical >99.9%.
APPEARANCE
White lyo.
White to off-white lyophilized form.
// PRIMARY STRUCTURE
Gly–His–Lys + Cu²⁺

// Glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine forms a 1:1 complex with Cu(II). First isolated from human plasma in 1973 by Loren Pickart. The copper ligation is the functional feature — the apo-peptide has dramatically different activity than the copper-bound form.
02

What the literature reports.

GHK-Cu is a naturally occurring copper-binding tripeptide originally isolated by Pickart from human plasma in the early 1970s. The literature describes it as a signaling molecule involved in tissue remodeling and copper homeostasis.

Reported mechanism

Published work describes GHK-Cu as a copper(II) chelator that delivers copper to cellular enzymes requiring it as a cofactor (lysyl oxidase, superoxide dismutase). Reported downstream effects include modulation of collagen and elastin synthesis, regulation of matrix metalloproteinase expression, and anti-inflammatory signaling in skin and wound models. Plasma levels of GHK-Cu decline with age.

Clinical and cosmetic use

GHK-Cu is widely used in cosmetic formulations for skin applications. It has been studied in preclinical and some clinical settings for wound healing and skin regeneration. It is not an FDA-approved drug for any systemic indication.

The above summarizes published research literature. This is not medical advice, a protocol, or a recommendation for use. This compound is supplied for laboratory research only.

03

Storage & release.

SHIP TEMP
Ambient
Lyophilized; stable at room temp in transit.
UNOPENED
Refrigerate
Lyophilized, protected from light.
RECONSTITUTED
~28 days
At 2–8°C; never freeze solutions.
RELEASE DOC
COA · per lot
3rd-party analytical · attached at ship.
lab@peptidebros:~$ cat release.ghk-cu.GHK-26-Q2-0156.log
// lot release record
compound GHK-Cu (C14H24N6O4·Cu)
lot.id GHK-26-Q2-0156
class peptide
mw.theoretical 402.9 Da
mw.observed 402.9 Da  [PASS]
purity.hplc 99.91%  [> 99.5% spec]
endotoxin < 0.125 EU/mL  [PASS]
sterility no growth  [PASS]
release.status RELEASED
04

Common questions.

What's the molecular profile?+

GHK-Cu is a 3-residue peptide with molecular formula C14H24N6O4·Cu and molecular weight of approximately 402.9 Da.

The full structural data and release specifications are in the Compound Profile section above. Every lot ships with an independently verified Certificate of Analysis.

How is purity verified?+

Each lot is independently verified by a 3rd-party analytical laboratory (STERIS Labs, Alcami Analytical, or equivalent) before release. Release specification is HPLC purity ≥ 99.5% (typical > 99.8%), mass spectrometry identity match within ±0.5 Da, water content < 5.0% Karl Fischer, and endotoxin < 0.25 EU/mL by LAL (USP <85>).

Look up the full COA for your lot at coa-lookup.html.

How is the compound shipped and stored?+

All compounds ship at ambient temperature in discreet, tamper-evident packaging. Lyophilized peptide powder is stable at room temperature for typical transit windows, which is why research-grade vendors ship this way. Tracked; signature not required.

Store unopened lyophilized product at 2–8°C protected from light. Once reconstituted, most peptides are stable at 2–8°C for approximately 28 days (compound-dependent).

Is this compound FDA-approved?+

GHK-Cu is widely used in cosmetic formulations for skin applications. It has been studied in preclinical and some clinical settings for wound healing and skin regeneration. It is not an FDA-approved drug for any systemic indication.

All PeptideBros compounds are sold strictly as chemical reference materials for in-vitro laboratory research. They are not for human consumption.

Every lot,
on paper.

HPLC-verified. Mass-spec confirmed. Ambient-stable transit. The paperwork other vendors hope you never ask for.