GHK-Cu
Also known as: Copper Tripeptide-1, Gly-His-Lys-Cu(II), Prezatide Copper
A naturally occurring copper-binding tripeptide studied for its roles in collagen synthesis, tissue remodeling, and antioxidant activity.
Molecular Data
- Class
- Copper-binding tripeptide / Tissue-remodeling and antioxidant peptide
- Molecular Weight
- ~403 Da (peptide–copper complex)
- Molecular Formula
- C₁₄H₂₄N₆O₄Cu
- Half-Life
- Short in circulation (estimated); locally applied or injected forms are studied over multi-week protocols
- Sequence / Structure
- Gly-His-Lys, complexed with Cu(II)
Mechanism of Action
GHK-Cu is a tripeptide (glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine) with a high-affinity copper(II) binding site, first isolated from human plasma. It occurs naturally in the body but declines with age, which has motivated much of the research interest in its tissue-remodeling effects.
- Copper delivery and cellular transport: GHK-Cu binds copper ions and facilitates their uptake by cells, supporting copper-dependent enzymes including lysyl oxidase (required for collagen and elastin crosslinking) and superoxide dismutase (an antioxidant enzyme).
- Collagen and elastin synthesis: Research indicates GHK-Cu stimulates production of collagen types I, III, and VII, enhances elastin synthesis, and increases glycosaminoglycan production — the structural basis for its study in skin and connective tissue research.
- Matrix remodeling: GHK-Cu has been shown to upregulate tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs) while modulating matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) activity, a balance implicated in wound healing and tissue turnover.
- Antioxidant activity: GHK-Cu scavenges free radicals and upregulates antioxidant enzyme expression, studied as a mechanism protecting tissue from oxidative damage.
- Gene expression effects: Genomic studies have found that GHK-Cu influences expression of a large number of genes associated with tissue repair and regeneration, and it has been reported to promote stem cell proliferation in vitro.
Research History
GHK-Cu was first identified in human plasma in the 1970s by Loren Pickart, who observed that plasma from younger individuals had a greater capacity to stimulate liver cell growth in culture than plasma from older individuals — an effect later traced to GHK-Cu. Circulating GHK-Cu levels have since been reported to decline substantially with age.
Subsequent decades of research, much of it led by Pickart and collaborators, characterized GHK-Cu's effects on collagen synthesis, wound healing, and gene expression, including genomic profiling studies identifying broad transcriptional effects on genes involved in tissue repair. Maquart et al. (1993) provided early biochemical evidence that GHK-Cu directly stimulates collagen synthesis in fibroblast culture.
GHK-Cu has been most extensively studied in dermatological and cosmetic research, where it is a common ingredient in topical formulations studied for skin firmness, wrinkle appearance, and wound healing. Research has also examined hair-follicle and systemic applications. As with most cosmeceutical peptides, most published human data comes from smaller clinical and observational studies rather than large randomized controlled trials.
Notable Studies
GHK Peptide as a Natural Modulator of Multiple Cellular Pathways in Skin Regeneration
2015Pickart L, Vasquez-Soltero JM, Margolina A. · BioMed Research International
Review of genomic and cell-culture studies characterizing GHK-Cu's effects on gene expression pathways related to collagen production, wound healing, and antioxidant defense.
Copper Peptide GHK-Cu and Wound Healing
2005Pollard JD, Quan S, Kang T, Koch RJ. · Journal of Cutaneous Medicine and Surgery
Examined GHK-Cu's effects on wound healing outcomes, reporting accelerated healing markers relative to control in the studied model.
Stimulation of Collagen Synthesis by GHK-Cu in Fibroblast Culture
1993Maquart FX, Pickart L, Laurent M, et al. · FEBS Letters
Early biochemical study demonstrating that GHK-Cu directly stimulates collagen synthesis in cultured fibroblasts, foundational to later tissue-remodeling research.
Research Protocols
The following protocols describe doses used in published research studies. They are not prescriptions or recommendations for human use.
Topical skin research
- Dose
- 1–3% concentration in vehicle formulation
- Route
- Topical application
- Frequency
- Once or twice daily
- Duration
- 4–12 weeks in published cosmetic research
Concentration range reported across dermatological research literature; not a recommendation for personal use.