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Research Catalog

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: 2026-09-04Literature/identifier verification: 2026-08-23
Copper tripeptide-1GHK copperCu-GHKCopper-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.

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

02

Molecular properties

Molecular formulaC14H23CuN6O4+
Molecular mass402.92 Da
CAS Registry Number89030-95-5
PubChem CID71587328
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. Complex formation is reversible: analytical work using GHK-modified nanochannels reports dissociation of the GHK-Cu complex on addition of EDTA.

06

Verified bibliography

  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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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

10

Methodology & citation verification

Reference identity is checked against official PubMed metadata. Local deterministic receipts bind each normalized title and canonical metadata record to its verification date. Scientific values remain absent when an authoritative source has not been verified.

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