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Copper-binding tripeptides: GHK-Cu and AHK-Cu in the literature

GHK and AHK are tripeptides that bind copper(II). GHK was isolated from human plasma, and its copper complex GHK-Cu has by far the larger literature. AHK-Cu has a small literature of its own. Both are research materials in the catalog.

Written by the Peptency editorial teamLast reviewed 7 studies checked in PubMed on 5 October 2026

Research-use information. This page summarises published literature and regulator records. It is not guidance for use, not medical advice, and not a statement that any material is suitable for use in people or animals.

How does GHK bind copper?

GHK has a copper(II) affinity similar to the copper transport site on albumin. The X-ray and solution structures of the copper(II) complexes of GHK and of the related peptide DAHK have been determined.[5],[4]

What have cell and review studies described?

In cultured fibroblasts the GHK-Cu complex increased collagen synthesis independent of cell number. Reviews describe effects on glycosaminoglycan synthesis, metalloproteinase activity and gene expression datasets.[7],[3],[1]

What exists for AHK-Cu?

One ex vivo study on human hair follicles and cultured dermal papilla cells examined AHK-Cu. A vitamin C-linked AHK conjugate without copper has been studied in a cell culture model.[6],[2]

Which compounds in the catalog belong to this group?

Copper-binding tripeptide complexGHK-Cu

C14H23CuN6O4+, 402.92 g/mol

Copper-binding tripeptide complexAHK-Cu

C15H26N6O4, 354.41 g/mol

Research materials: GHK-Cu, AHK-Cu.

Which studies are cited on this page?

  1. [1] Pickart L, Margolina A. Regenerative and Protective Actions of the GHK-Cu Peptide in the Light of the New Gene Data. Int J Mol Sci. 2018;19.

    Narrative review of reported GHK-Cu actions on extracellular-matrix, tissue-repair and gene-expression data, including genome-wide expression datasets.

    ReviewPMID 29986520DOI 10.3390/ijms19071987

  2. [2] Jung JI, Park KY, Lee Y, Park M, Kim J. Vitamin C-linker-conjugated tripeptide AHK stimulates BMP-2-induced osteogenic differentiation of mouse myoblast C2C12 cells. Differentiation. 2018;101:1-7.

    Examined a vitamin C-linked conjugate of the AHK tripeptide (not the copper complex) on osteoblast differentiation in a cell culture model.

    In vitroPMID 29567599DOI 10.1016/j.diff.2018.03.001

  3. [3] Pickart L, Vasquez-Soltero JM, Margolina A. GHK Peptide as a Natural Modulator of Multiple Cellular Pathways in Skin Regeneration. Biomed Res Int. 2015;2015:648108.

    Review of GHK in skin biology: collagen and glycosaminoglycan synthesis, metalloproteinase modulation and copper-dependent pathways.

    ReviewPMID 26236730DOI 10.1155/2015/648108

  4. [4] Hureau C, Eury H, Guillot R, Bijani C, Sayen S, Solari PL, et al.. X-ray and solution structures of Cu(II) GHK and Cu(II) DAHK complexes: influence on their redox properties. Chemistry. 2011;17:10151-60.

    Solid-state (X-ray) and solution structures of the copper(II) complexes of GHK and DAHK, with spectroscopy of their redox properties.

    ChemistryPMID 21780203DOI 10.1002/chem.201100751

  5. [5] Pickart L. The human tri-peptide GHK and tissue remodeling. J Biomater Sci Polym Ed. 2008;19:969-88.

    Review of remodeling-related processes attributed to GHK and GHK-Cu, including copper binding and extracellular-matrix turnover.

    ReviewPMID 18644225DOI 10.1163/156856208784909435

  6. [6] Pyo HK, Yoo HG, Won CH, Lee SH, Kang YJ, Eun HC, et al.. The effect of tripeptide-copper complex on human hair growth in vitro. Arch Pharm Res. 2007;30:834-9.

    Examined AHK-Cu on human hair follicles ex vivo and on cultured dermal papilla cells.

    Ex vivo and in vitro studyPMID 17703734DOI 10.1007/BF02978833

  7. [7] Maquart FX, Pickart L, Laurent M, Gillery P, Monboisse JC, Borel JP. Stimulation of collagen synthesis in fibroblast cultures by the tripeptide-copper complex glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine-Cu2+. FEBS Lett. 1988;238:343-6.

    Measured collagen synthesis in cultured fibroblasts exposed to the GHK-Cu complex over a range of concentrations.

    In vitroPMID 3169264DOI 10.1016/0014-5793(88)80509-x

Data dates: citations read from PubMed 2026-10-05.