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Cosmetic Science

GHK-Cu

Copper tripeptide (Gly-His-Lys)

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Identity

Class
Cosmetic Science
Molecular weight
404 Da
Residues
3
Heavy atoms
50
Reference slug
ghk-cu

These are published properties of the molecule, given for identification. Values we cannot confirm are omitted rather than estimated. What these terms mean.

What this compound is

A tripeptide present in human plasma that binds copper(II) with high affinity. The copper is shown chelated by the terminal amine, the backbone amide nitrogen and the histidine imidazole - the metal position was relaxed to sit about 2 A from each donor.

Sequence

Gly-His-Lys + Cu(II)

This sequence uses notation outside the standard twenty one-letter codes — a lowercase letter marks a D-amino acid, and other symbols mark modified or non-standard residues. It is reproduced exactly as published rather than normalised, and no residue composition is derived from it.

Primary literature

5 peer-reviewed papers indexed in PubMed that name this compound in the title. Each record was checked against the database for title, journal and year rather than written from memory.

  1. Topically applied GHK as an anti-wrinkle peptide: Advantages, problems and prospective

    Bioimpacts2025PMID 39963574

  2. Regenerative and Protective Actions of the GHK-Cu Peptide in the Light of the New Gene Data

    Int J Mol Sci2018PMID 29986520

  3. GHK Peptide as a Natural Modulator of Multiple Cellular Pathways in Skin Regeneration

    Biomed Res Int2015PMID 26236730

  4. Tripeptide-copper complex GHK-Cu (II) transiently improved healing outcome in a rat model of ACL reconstruction

    J Orthop Res2015PMID 25731775

  5. An injectable hydroxyapatite microsphere filler loaded with GHK-Cu tripeptide for anti-Inflammatory and antioxidant

    Colloids Surf B Biointerfaces2025PMID 40716276

Citations are listed so the underlying research can be read directly. They describe laboratory and preclinical work on the molecule. They are not evidence of a benefit, and nothing here is an application, dose, route or outcome.

Reference databases

PubChem

Compound record: Prezatide copper

Resolved from CAS 89030-95-5

PubMed

Indexed literature

Live search for GHK-Cu

ClinicalTrials.gov

Registered studies

Live search for GHK-Cu

Links resolved against the live databases on 2026-08-29.

Others in Cosmetic Science

Argireline

6 residues · 889 Da

Six residues capped with an acetyl group at one end and an amide at the other, both of which are…

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GHK

3 residues · 340 Da

The bare tripeptide, shown without the copper it usually carries. Comparing it with GHK-Cu in th…

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Hexapeptide-11

6 residues · 677 Da

Six residues, two prolines and two phenylalanines. The prolines force an extended backbone, so i…

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Matrixyl core

5 residues · 564 Da

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Oligopeptide-68

4 residues · 397 Da

Four residues, GHK extended at the other end instead. Three variations on the same tripeptide co…

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SNAP-8

8 residues · 1075 Da

Argireline with two more residues on the end, and otherwise the same molecule. Worth seeing besi…

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All 8 compounds in Cosmetic Science

This is a reference entry. Sequence, residue count, molecular weight and atom count are published properties of the molecule, given for identification. Nothing on this page describes an application, benefit, dose, route or outcome, and nothing here should be read as an offer to supply or as guidance for use in a person or an animal. Materials sold by PepXtide are for laboratory research use only, are not for human or animal consumption, and have not been evaluated by the FDA.