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Compound monograph

GHK-Cu

Prezatide copper is the Cu(II) coordination complex of the tripeptide glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine. The copper ion is part of the declared molecular identity and distinguishes this record from the free tripeptide.

Published: 2026-09-04Last updated: 2026-10-14Literature/identifier verification: 2026-08-23
Also known asCopper tripeptide-1GHK copperCu-GHK
Copper-binding peptidesMatrikine-derived peptides

01

Identity & nomenclature

Prezatide copper is the Cu(II) coordination complex of the tripeptide glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine. The copper ion is part of the declared molecular identity and distinguishes this record from the free tripeptide.

GHK-Cu is a trade and literature name for the Cu(II) complex of the tripeptide glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine. The free tripeptide and the copper complex are distinct molecular records with different formulas, masses, and registry numbers: the free peptide is CAS 49557-75-7 (INN prezatide), and the copper complex is CAS 89030-95-5 (prezatide copper). Material sold under the name GHK-Cu should be identified against the intended species. Public databases do not agree on the complex: searching the name GHK-Cu in PubChem returns several distinct structures at 400.90, 401.91, 402.92, 403.92, 742.3 and 744.3, differing in how many protons the ligand has lost and in peptide-to-copper stoichiometry. The formula and mass recorded here are those the FDA substance registry gives for UNII 6BJQ43T1I9, prezatide copper, under CAS 89030-95-5, and match the CAS index name for that substance, which describes the ligand as lysinato(2-) - a doubly deprotonated ligand giving a neutral Cu(II) complex.

Canonical name: Prezatide copper.

Declared aliases and development codes: Copper tripeptide-1, GHK copper, Cu-GHK.

02

Molecular properties

Molecular formulaC14H22CuN6O4
Molecular mass401.91 Da
CAS Registry Number89030-95-5
PubChem CID10111685
UNII6BJQ43T1I9

03

Structural characteristics

Spectroscopic study of the complex in solution reports a mononuclear 1:1 Cu(II) species at neutral pH, with EPR consistent with two or three equatorial nitrogen donors, one of which is located in the histidyl imidazole ring. The polymeric oxygen-bridged structure determined by X-ray crystallography in the solid state is reported not to persist in solution. Potentiometric and spectrophotometric analysis reports that the epsilon-amino group of the lysine residue contributes to complex stability relative to glycyl-L-histidine and glycyl-L-histidylglycine, and equilibrium dialysis reports that the tripeptide competes with albumin for Cu(II): at equimolar concentrations approximately 42 percent of the Cu(II) was bound to the peptide.

04

Molecular targets & mechanisms

Cu(II) coordination

Copper(II) chelation · Copper-peptide complex formation

Formation of a discrete coordination complex between a peptide ligand and a Cu(II) ion. Spectroscopic study of the glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine complex reports a mononuclear 1:1 species at neutral pH with equatorial nitrogen coordination including the histidyl imidazole. Complex formation changes the molecular formula, mass, and analytical identity of the species relative to the free peptide, and is reversible by competing chelators.

05

Analytical considerations

Because the free tripeptide and the copper complex have different formulas and masses, identity methods must distinguish the two species rather than reporting a single GHK-Cu mass. Copper content is part of the identity of the complex. PubChem CIDs 10111685 and 165429100 share this formula but place the deprotonated nitrogen differently, on the His2 imidazole and on the His2 backbone amide respectively; in both, Gly1 is uncapped and Lys3 is a carboxylate, and the Bossak-Ahmad coordination study identifies the terminal amino nitrogen as a copper donor. Complex formation is reversible: analytical work using GHK-modified nanochannels reports dissociation of the GHK-Cu complex on addition of EDTA.

Disagreements and mix-ups

Points where sources disagree about this compound's identity, or where a name or form is easily confused with another, as noted in this record. The discrepancy register quotes the passage for each one.

What the studies reported

Each finding describes one cited study in its stated model. These observations are specific to that study and do not establish effects in other settings.

Cell and tissue studies

  • Albumin–peptide equilibrium-dialysis system

    Lau et al. measured about 42% of Cu(II) bound to glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine at equimolar albumin and peptide concentrations in an in-vitro equilibrium-dialysis system.

    Reference [2]

  • Ferritin-dependent iron-catalyzed lipid-peroxidation assay

    Miller et al. observed inhibition of iron-catalyzed lipid peroxidation by GHK:Cu(II) in vitro only when ferritin was the iron source.

    Reference [4]

  • Ferritin iron-release assay

    Miller et al. observed inhibition of ferritin iron release by GHK:Cu(II) in an in-vitro assay.

    Reference [4]

  • Superoxide-dismutase-like and ceruloplasmin-like activity assays

    Miller et al. did not detect significant superoxide-dismutase-like or ceruloplasmin-like activity for GHK:Cu(II) in the in-vitro assays.

    Reference [4]

06

Verified bibliography

Cited studies by type

The 7 papers this record cites, counted by the kind of work each reports. A count is the size of this record's selection, not of the research that exists, and says nothing about results, safety, effectiveness or approval.

A paper can report more than one kind of work. Each count opens those papers in the bibliography. Compare every record on the Evidence Map.

  1. Reference 1

    Structure of the Glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine--copper(II) complex in solution.

    Freedman JH, Pickart L, Weinstein B, Mims WB, Peisach J

    Biochemistry · 1982-09-14 · Journal Article

    current
    PMID 6291585DOI 10.1021/bi00262a004GHK-CuCopper(II) chelation

  2. Reference 2

    The interaction of copper(II) and glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine, a growth-modulating tripeptide from plasma.

    Lau SJ, Sarkar B

    The Biochemical journal · 1981-12-01 · Journal Article

    current
    PMID 7340824PMC1163421DOI 10.1042/bj1990649GHK-CuCopper(II) chelation

  3. Reference 3

    Ultrasensitive and Label-Free Detection of Copper Ions by GHK-Modified Asymmetric Nanochannels.

    An P, Zhang Z, Yang J, Wang T, Wang Z, Sun CL, Qin C, Li J

    Analytical chemistry · 2023-08-25 · Journal Article

    current
    PMID 37624577DOI 10.1021/acs.analchem.3c01174GHK-CuCopper(II) chelation

  4. Reference 4

    Effects of glycyl-histidyl-lysyl chelated Cu(II) on ferritin dependent lipid peroxidation.

    Miller DM, DeSilva D, Pickart L, Aust SD

    Advances in experimental medicine and biology · 1990 · Journal Article

    current
    PMID 2244543DOI 10.1007/978-1-4684-5730-8_11GHK-CuCopper(II) chelation

  5. Reference 5

    The human tri-peptide GHK and tissue remodeling.

    Pickart L

    Journal of biomaterials science. Polymer edition · 2008 · Review

    current
    PMID 18644225DOI 10.1163/156856208784909435GHK-CuCopper(II) chelation

  6. Reference 6

    N.m.r. and e.p.r. investigation of the interaction of copper(II) and glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine, a growth-modulating tripeptide from plasma.

    Laussac JP, Haran R, Sarkar B

    The Biochemical journal · 1983-02-01 · Journal Article

    current
    PMID 6303307PMC1154122DOI 10.1042/bj2090533GHK (Prezatide)GHK-Cu

  7. Reference 7

    SPARC is a source of copper-binding peptides that stimulate angiogenesis.

    Lane TF, Iruela-Arispe ML, Johnson RS, Sage EH

    The Journal of cell biology · 1994-05 · Journal Article

    current
    PMID 7514608PMC2120067DOI 10.1083/jcb.125.4.929GHK (Prezatide)Pal-GHK (Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1)GHK-Cu

Study models of these references

What kind of experiment each cited paper reports, taken from its abstract unless marked. Not a summary of results.

ReferenceStudy models
Freedman JH et al. 1982Chemical, structural or analytical study; no biological model reported
Lau SJ et al. 1981Study models reported: in vitro · from the abstract
An P et al. 2023Chemical, structural or analytical study; no biological model reported
Miller DM et al. 1990Study models reported: in vitro · from the abstract
Pickart L 2008Review article
Laussac JP et al. 1983Chemical, structural or analytical study; no biological model reported
Lane TF et al. 1994Study models reported: in vitro; in vivo (subject not stated) · from the abstract

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Catalog listing

Record history

Published 2026-09-04.

  • : Analytical notes
  • : Identity and nomenclature, Sequence and structure
  • : References, Classification

Each entry names the parts of this record that changed on that date. Changes to links between records and to catalogue links are not listed. This history covers the tracked record fields; study findings are not listed here.

Cite this record: Purely Peptides Research Library. GHK-Cu. Published 2026-09-04; updated 2026-10-14. https://purelypeptides.org/research/compounds/ghk-cu/

10

Methodology & citation verification

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