Overview
GHK-Cu pairs the tripeptide glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine with a copper(II) ion. The copper-binding site is what differentiates it from GHK alone and drives much of its reported biological activity.
Mechanism
Published work describes modulation of collagen and glycosaminoglycan synthesis in dermal fibroblasts, antioxidant signaling through superoxide dismutase, and broad gene-expression effects observed in transcriptomic studies of skin and fibroblast cultures.
Notes for the lab
GHK-Cu solutions are blue from the copper complex. Protect from light, keep refrigerated after reconstitution, and avoid mixing with reducing agents that disrupt the Cu(II) coordination.