

GHK-Cu is a copper(II) complex of the tripeptide glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine, first isolated from human plasma. The copper is coordinated by the histidine imidazole and the peptide backbone, giving the material its distinctive deep blue colour in both powder and solution.
GHK-Cu is a copper(II) complex of the tripeptide glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine, first isolated from human plasma. The copper is coordinated by the histidine imidazole and the peptide backbone, giving the material its distinctive deep blue colour in both powder and solution.
The blue colour is a useful handling indicator: a solution that has gone colourless or green suggests the copper coordination has been disrupted, usually by low pH or by a chelating contaminant in the diluent. Fresh material should give a clear, saturated blue.
As a metallopeptide it is the most light-sensitive item in the catalogue. Vials ship in opaque secondary packaging and should be kept out of direct light both before and after reconstitution.
| Compound name | GHK-Cu |
| Classification | Regenerative research compound |
| CAS number | 49557-75-7 |
| Molecular formula | C14H23CuN6O4 |
| Molecular weight | 403.93 g/mol |
| Sequence | Gly-His-Lys / Cu(II) complex |
| Purity (this lot) | 99.7% by RP-HPLC |
| Endotoxin | <0.5 EU/mg by LAL |
| Appearance | Deep blue lyophilized powder |
| Vial size | 50 mg / 100 mg |
| Solubility | Freely soluble in water; solution retains a characteristic blue colour |
| Storage | Lyophilized: -20 C, protected from light. Reconstituted: 2-8 C, use within 30 days. |
| Released lot | PS-6055127 |
Vials arrive lyophilized and sealed under nitrogen. Bring the vial fully to room temperature before breaking the seal — opening a cold vial condenses atmospheric moisture onto the cake.
Direct diluent gently against the inside wall of the vial rather than onto the cake, and allow the material to dissolve without agitation. Vortexing shears longer sequences and introduces air.
Lyophilized: -20 C, protected from light. Reconstituted: 2-8 C, use within 30 days.
A full walkthrough is in the reconstitution guide, and the calculator will work out concentration and draw volume for this vial size.
Standard laboratory practice applies: appropriate personal protective equipment, no consumption, no administration to humans or animals, and disposal in accordance with institutional protocol and local regulation.
Both certificates below were generated against this specific lot and published before it was released to stock. Enter the lot number in the certificate lookup to retrieve them at any time. New to reading these? See how to read a certificate of analysis.
The copper(II) ion coordinated to the tripeptide produces the colour. It is the expected appearance, not a contaminant.
Loss of blue indicates the copper complex has dissociated. Check the diluent for chelating agents and confirm pH; discard and re-prepare from a fresh vial.
GHK-Cu has a molecular weight roughly a tenth of most peptides in this catalogue, so bench protocols typically call for correspondingly larger masses.
GHK-Cu is supplied for in-vitro laboratory research only. It is not a drug, dietary supplement, food or cosmetic, is not approved by the FDA for any use in humans or animals, and no dosing guidance is published for it. Nothing on this page is a therapeutic, structure–function or health claim. Purchasers must be 21 or over and are responsible for compliance with all applicable law. Full terms of supply.