GHK-Cu Copper Peptide: What It Is and How to Verify What You Buy

GHK-Cu is a small molecule with a long publication record: a tripeptide of three amino acids bound to a copper(II) ion. It is one of the most studied copper peptides in skin, tissue and extracellular-matrix biology. This guide explains what it is, what the research literature covers and how to tell whether the material in a vial is what the label says.

Key Facts

• Type: Tripeptide (three amino acids) bound to a copper(II) ion
• Sequence: Gly-His-Lys (GHK) + Cu(II)
• Molecular formula: C14H24N6O4 (GHK); C14H22CuN6O4 (GHK-Cu)
• Molecular mass: 340.38 Da (GHK); about 401.9 Da (GHK-Cu)
• CAS number: 49557-75-7 (GHK); 89030-95-5 (GHK-Cu)
• Supplied as: lyophilised powder in a sealed vial

What GHK-Cu Is

GHK stands for glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine. The tripeptide was first identified in human plasma in 1973 and binds copper(II) with high affinity, which is where the name GHK-Cu comes from. The peptide alone has a molecular weight of about 340 Da; the copper complex is slightly heavier. It is supplied as a lyophilised powder.

What the Research Literature Covers

Most published work is in vitro, with some animal models. The main topics are:

• Collagen and glycosaminoglycan synthesis in cultured fibroblasts
• Extracellular-matrix remodelling
• Peptide and metal ion interactions, with copper transport as the model case
• Gene expression profiling in cell models

These are laboratory findings. CellMind supplies GHK-Cu strictly for research purposes, not for human consumption.

Why the Blue Colour Matters

A properly chelated copper(II) complex is deep blue. A GHK-Cu vial that is white or very pale suggests that the copper is missing or that the complex did not form. Colour is not a purity measurement, but it is a quick first check before you read the report.

How Purity Is Verified

HPLC shows the share of the target compound in the material; mass spectrometry confirms its identity. Both results belong on a batch-specific Certificate of Analysis from a named laboratory. For how to read one, see What Is a CoA and Why Is It the Only Real Proof of Peptide Purity.

Checklist Before You Buy GHK-Cu

• A CoA for the specific batch
• HPLC purity stated as a number, above 99%
• The amount per vial stated clearly (50 mg)
• Deep blue powder on arrival
• A batch number on the vial that matches the report

Common Questions About GHK-Cu

What is the difference between GHK and GHK-Cu?

GHK is the tripeptide Gly-His-Lys on its own (340.38 Da). GHK-Cu is the same peptide with a copper(II) ion bound to it (about 401.9 Da). The report should say which of the two was measured.

Why is GHK-Cu blue?

The colour comes from the copper(II) ion held by the peptide. A white or very pale powder suggests that the copper is missing.

Storage and Handling

Keep lyophilised vials in a cool, dark place. Once reconstituted, the solution should be refrigerated and used within the planned research window. Avoid repeated temperature changes: they are the most common cause of degradation that nobody notices until results stop matching.

CellMind GHK-Cu 50mg

• 50 mg lyophilised powder per vial, sealed under inert conditions
• Purity verified above 99% by HPLC, batch-specific CoA
• Frequently studied alongside BPC-157 and TB-500 in tissue-focused protocols

Product page: GHK-Cu 50mg. Reports for current batches: Lab Reports and CoA.

Sources

• Pickart L., Thaler M.M. Nature New Biology. 1973;243(124):85–87.