database / healing
GHK
also known as glycyl-histidyl-lysine
Skeletal structure drawn from the computed atomic coordinates in PubChem CID 73587. 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
Computed backbone mass 340.38 Da agrees with PubChem's reported 340.38 Da (Δ 0.00 Da). Two independent sources agree on the primary structure.
Molecular data
| molecular formula | C14H24N6O4 |
|---|---|
| molecular weight | 340.38 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 | not characterised |
| PubChem CID | 73587 |
| PDB | not characterised |
| UniProt parent | not characterised |
Mechanism
Matrix-derived tripeptide with high copper(II) affinity; described as a signal generated on tissue injury.
Reported targets: Cu(II) collagen synthesis pathways
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 | The Regenerative Potential of GHK-Cu in Aesthetic Medicine Aesthetic surgery journal 2026 |
| wound healing | Topically applied GHK as an anti-wrinkle peptide: Advantages, problems and p… BioImpacts : BI 2025 |
| antioxidant activity | 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 |
Literature (8)
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
Topically applied GHK as an anti-wrinkle peptide: Advantages, problems and prospective — BioImpacts : BI 2025
IntroductionPeptides are promising and attractive anti-wrinkle active ingredients, amongst which glycyl-histidyl-lysine peptide (GHK) is one of the most broadly promoted peptide for topical application. This simple sequence of amino acid residues not only has the capability of tissue regeneration and the enhancement of collagen and glycosaminoglycans synthesis but also is able to increase nerve outgrowth and angiogenesis. Consequently, GHK has several properties, from wound healing to prevention/reduction wrinkles. GHK-Cu and Pal-GHK are metal complex and palmitoylated derivatives of GHK, respectively. Although GHK-Cu and Pal-GHK are widely used in anti-wrinkle products available on the cosmetic market, the published information on their skin permeability, effectiveness, physicochemical properties and so on is insufficient.MethodsThis review aims to highlight whether GHK is sufficiently …
open access ↗ · PMID 39963574 · DOI 10.34172/bi.30071
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 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
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
Redox-Responsive GHK-Conjugated Sponge Spicules for Sustained Dermal Delivery and Enhanced Collagen Synthesis — Micromachines 2026
abstract not reproduced — this record is not open-access, so it is linked rather than copied.
publisher record ↗ · PMID 42354780 · DOI 10.3390/mi17060750
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.
Carbonless amino acids and a carbonless GHK peptide — Physical chemistry chemical physics : PCCP 2026
abstract not reproduced — this record is not open-access, so it is linked rather than copied.
publisher record ↗ · PMID 41859865 · DOI 10.1039/d6cp00567e
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