GHK-Cu

What is GHK-Cu?

GHK-Cu is the copper(II) complex of the tripeptide glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine (Gly-His-Lys). The peptide was first isolated from human plasma in the 1970s and binds copper with high affinity; the bound metal is what gives the lyophilized powder and its solutions their characteristic blue color. Ingredient nomenclature lists the same complex as copper tripeptide-1.

In research settings, GHK-Cu is used mainly in cell-culture work: fibroblast studies of extracellular-matrix proteins such as collagen, gene-expression profiling, and experiments on copper binding and transport. V8 Peptides supplies it as lyophilized powder in 50 mg and 100 mg vials, sizes suited to labs that run repeated culture experiments from one lot.

Where it is used in the lab

• Collagen and extracellular-matrix expression studies in fibroblast cultures
• Gene-expression profiling in dermal cell models
• Copper-binding and metal-transport experiments

For laboratory research use only; not for human consumption.

GHK-Cu specifications

Reconstitution & storage for research

GHK-Cu dissolves readily in aqueous diluent, and a blue solution is the expected appearance. Adding 2.5 mL of diluent to the 50 mg vial gives 20 mg/mL; the same 2.5 mL in the 100 mg vial gives 40 mg/mL. For a 10 mg/mL working stock from the 50 mg vial, dilute a measured portion 1:1 in a second sterile container. At 20 mg/mL, a 100 µL aliquot contains 2 mg. Our reconstitution calculator runs the same arithmetic for any vial size and diluent volume.

A sterile diluent such as bacteriostatic water is the usual choice for multi-use research vials. Direct the diluent slowly down the inside wall of the vial instead of onto the powder, then swirl gently until the solution is clear. Do not shake; vigorous agitation can foam or shear the material.

Storage conditions

• Unopened vial: refrigerate at 2–8 °C; move to −20 °C if the vial will sit for an extended period.
• Environment: keep the powder away from heat, moisture and direct light, and let a cold vial reach room temperature before opening so condensation does not form inside.
• After reconstitution: return the solution to 2–8 °C, label it with concentration and preparation date, and split it into aliquots if it will be sampled more than a few times.

Quality & testing

Every lot of GHK-Cu is analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) before release, against a specification of ≥98% purity. The result is recorded on a batch-specific Certificate of Analysis, published on our COA page, so you can match the lot number on the vial to the document before the material enters your workflow.

• Measured HPLC purity, reported as a percentage
• Identity confirmation for the compound
• Batch / lot number and analytical test date
• Supplied form and storage conditions

Vials are sealed, labeled for research use and shipped within the United States in discreet packaging. Payment is by invoice or Zelle.

Related lab guides

• GHK-Cu copper peptide research overview
• GHK-Cu reconstitution and storage
• How GHK-Cu purity is tested
• GHK-Cu chemical structure and synthesis
• GHK-Cu in skin and collagen research
• GLOW peptide blend overview

GHK-Cu is also available pre-blended for multi-component study designs: GHK-Cu + KPV blend, GLOW stack (GHK-Cu, BPC-157, TB-500), KLOW stack.