database / cosmetic
GHK-Cu
also known as copper tripeptide-1
Skeletal structure drawn from the computed atomic coordinates in PubChem CID 139035031. Carbons are implicit vertices; hydrogens on carbon are suppressed, as in any structural formula. Nothing here is estimated — every atom sits where PubChem placed it.
Research reference only. The observations below are recorded in the cited literature. Nothing here is advice or a recommendation, and no dosing information is published on this site.
Sequence
GHK
Gly-His-Lys
- hydrophobic
- positive
- negative
- polar
- aromatic
- glycine
- proline
- cysteine
Modified molecule. The tripeptide GHK complexed with copper(II) — the complex, not the bare peptide, is the studied entity.
Backbone carries modifications, so computed backbone mass is not comparable to the reported mass of the complete molecule.
Molecular data
| molecular formula | C14H21CuN6O4- |
|---|---|
| molecular weight | 400.9 Da (PubChem) |
| computed backbone mass | 340.38 Da |
| length | 3 residues |
| net charge (pH 7.4) | +1 |
| mean hydropathy | -2.5 |
| half-life | not characterised |
| delivery route | topical |
| PubChem CID | 139035031 |
| PDB | not characterised |
| UniProt parent | not characterised |
Mechanism
Copper-binding tripeptide complex studied for effects on collagen, elastin and antioxidant enzymes in skin.
Reported targets: Cu(II) dermal fibroblasts
Experimental structure
No experimental structure of this peptide is deposited in the PDB. Nothing is rendered here — a predicted fold would not be a structure, and this site does not draw one.
Reported effects
Each row is an outcome described in the literature indexed for this peptide. Reported in the cited work — not a claim, not a recommendation.
| reported outcome | where it appears |
|---|---|
| collagen synthesis | Augmented Skin Beneficial Effects of Thermus Thermophilus and Bacillus Subti… Skin research and technology : official journal of International Society for Bioengineering and the Skin (ISBS) [and] International Society for Digital Imaging of Skin (ISDIS) [and] International Society for Skin Imaging (ISSI) 2026 |
| skin firmness | The Regenerative Potential of GHK-Cu in Aesthetic Medicine Aesthetic surgery journal 2026 |
| wound healing | Glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine-Cu2<sup>+</sup> (GHK-Cu) Attenuates C… European journal of pharmacology 2026 |
| hair follicle stimulation | Middle-aged mice treated with GHK-Cu peptide administered intraperitoneally … Research square 2026 |
| antioxidant activity | The GHK-Cu delays aging in Caenorhabditis elegans via coordinated regulation… Biogerontology 2026 |
Literature (8)
Augmented Skin Beneficial Effects of Thermus Thermophilus and Bacillus Subtilis Mixed-Culture Ferment Extract by Tripeptide GHK-Cu — Skin research and technology : official journal of International Society for Bioengineering and the Skin (ISBS) [and] International Society for Digital Imaging of Skin (ISDIS) [and] International Society for Skin Imaging (ISSI) 2026
abstract not reproduced — this record is not open-access, so it is linked rather than copied.
publisher record ↗ · PMID 42573538 · DOI 10.1111/srt.70360
The Regenerative Potential of GHK-Cu in Aesthetic Medicine — Aesthetic surgery journal 2026
abstract not reproduced — this record is not open-access, so it is linked rather than copied.
publisher record ↗ · PMID 42619529 · DOI 10.1093/asj/sjag169
Glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine-Cu2<sup>+</sup> (GHK-Cu) Attenuates CuSO<sub>4</sub> or LPS induced-inflammation in Zebrafish larvae model — European journal of pharmacology 2026
abstract not reproduced — this record is not open-access, so it is linked rather than copied.
publisher record ↗ · PMID 41997403 · DOI 10.1016/j.ejphar.2026.178880
Middle-aged mice treated with GHK-Cu peptide administered intraperitoneally or intranasally show behavioral rescue but divergent hippocampal aging programs — Research square 2026
abstract not reproduced — this record is not open-access, so it is linked rather than copied.
The GHK-Cu delays aging in Caenorhabditis elegans via coordinated regulation of mitochondrial function and activation of DAF-16/SKN-1 pathways — Biogerontology 2026
abstract not reproduced — this record is not open-access, so it is linked rather than copied.
publisher record ↗ · PMID 42084774 · DOI 10.1007/s10522-026-10444-x
Copper peptide activated cascade catalysis for glucose regulation and hypoxia reversing in infected diabetic wound healing — Materials today. Bio 2026
Starvation therapy has emerged as a promising strategy in diabetic wounds treating by regulating glucose level to deplete microbial nutrients without inducing antimicrobial resistance. However, this process consumes large amounts of oxygen, exacerbating wound hypoxia and compromising therapeutic efficacy. In this study, we designed a GOX-loaded hydrogel incorporated with copper peptide (GHK-Cu) to construct a copper peptide-activated cascade catalysis system for concurrent glucose regulation and hypoxia reversing. GOX initiates the cascade by catalyzing glucose oxidation, which reduces local hyperglycemia levels and generates hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). Subsequently, copper ions in GHK-Cu activate the subsequent step by mediating the decomposition of H2O2 through a catalase(CAT)-like reaction, releasing local oxygen to effectively alleviate the hypoxic state of the wound, and its own biolo…
open access ↗ · PMID 42404628 · DOI 10.1016/j.mtbio.2026.103396
A <i>Torilis japonica</i> Extract-GHK-Cu Complex Attenuates Th2 Cytokines and Promotes Keratinocyte Recovery: A Potential Antioxidant Strategy for Atopic Dermatitis — Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland) 2026
abstract not reproduced — this record is not open-access, so it is linked rather than copied.
publisher record ↗ · PMID 42510549 · DOI 10.3390/antiox15070818
The Laccase-like Property of GHK-Cu and Its Applications in Colorimetric Sensing of Phenolic Compounds — Biosensors 2026
Laccase plays an important role in the detection and degradation of phenolic compounds, but it is limited by its cost and stability. In this study, the laccase-like property of copper peptide (GHK-Cu) has been revealed. In terms of enzymatic reaction kinetics, GHK-Cu has a Vmax of 1.735 × 10-4 mM·s-1 and a Km of 0.061 mM, demonstrating good substrate affinity and excellent catalytic efficiency. Then, a colorimetry was developed for rapid detection of epinephrine (EP) and 2-aminophenol (2-AP). The linear response range of EP is 20-240 μM, with a limit of detection (LOD) of 9.5 μM. The linear response ranges of 2-AP are 14-100 μM (in ultrapure water) and 2-120 μM (in seawater), with LODs of 2.56 μM and 1.65 μM. In addition, combined with a smartphone platform, a cotton-based sensor has been developed for the detection of 2-AP in seawater. The linear response ranges are 0-0.2 mM and 0.2-1 m…
open access ↗ · PMID 42041438 · DOI 10.3390/bios16040217
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