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Peptide Profile
GHK-Cu is a naturally occurring tripeptide-copper chelate complex with one of the highest copper binding affinities among biological peptides. Coordination chemistry, stability constant, and research context.
GHK-Cu (Glycyl-L-Histidyl-L-Lysine-Copper(II) complex) is a naturally occurring tripeptide that has been identified in human plasma, saliva, and urine. It consists of the three amino acids glycine, histidine, and lysine and forms a stable chelate complex with copper(II) ions.
The exceptionally high copper-binding affinity of GHK-Cu (stability constant log₁₀ = 16.44) is due to the coordination geometry of the peptide. The histidine residue with its imidazole ring nitrogen, the N-terminal amino group of glycine, and the peptide-bond nitrogen atoms together form a tetrahedral coordination geometry around the Cu²⁺ ion.
This coordination is so stable that GHK-Cu exists as an intact complex in physiological buffer solutions and at physiological pH (7.4). Its high thermodynamic stability makes GHK-Cu an interesting model complex for bioinorganic coordination chemistry.
Important
GHK-Cu is available both as a tripeptide (without copper) and as a copper-chelate complex. For research applications investigating copper coordination chemistry, the complex (GHK-Cu) is relevant. Both forms have distinct analytical profiles in the CoA.
GHK-Cu has been investigated in numerous preclinical models. Documented research areas include:
GHK-Cu occurs naturally in the human organism. Concentrations of approximately 200 ng/ml have been measured in the blood plasma of young adults — this value decreases with age. The peptide has also been identified in saliva, urine, and the extracellular matrix of various tissues.
The natural presence in the human organism makes GHK-Cu an interesting research object for the investigation of copper-peptide interactions under physiological conditions.
Note
This article is for scientific information purposes only. It does not constitute medical advice. GHK-Cu is not an approved medicinal product and is intended exclusively for research purposes in authorized laboratory environments.