GHK Basic: research overview
GHK Basic is the copper-free form of the glycine-histidine-lysine tripeptide (Gly-His-Lys). The peptide has appeared in scientific literature for decades as a component of human plasma and as a reference point for research on its copper complex. We supply it as a research reagent in lyophilised form, 50 mg per vial.
What GHK Basic is
GHK is a short peptide built from three amino acids joined by peptide bonds. Its histidine residue gives the molecule the ability to bind metal ions, the property that research on this family of compounds focuses on most. GHK Basic is the pure tripeptide without bound copper, so it works as a clean comparator and a control in studies where copper should be a variable you set yourself.
Mechanism described in research
- Copper binding: GHK forms a complex with Cu2+, and that complex is the main subject of studies on this peptide family.
- Extracellular matrix remodelling: cell culture models describe effects on the synthesis of collagen, elastin and glycosaminoglycans in fibroblasts.
- Gene expression: in vitro gene expression analyses have pointed to changes in pathways linked to tissue repair and renewal.
- Oxidative stress: cellular systems have been used to study how the peptide affects the consequences of oxidation.
Research areas
- Skin biology and fibroblasts in in vitro cultures
- Wound healing and tissue regeneration in animal models
- Hair follicles in culture models
- Connective tissue and extracellular matrix remodelling
- Inflammatory response and oxidative stress in cell systems
Product specification
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Name | GHK Basic, copper-free GHK tripeptide |
| Sequence | Gly-His-Lys |
| Form | lyophilised powder |
| Purity | 99% or higher (HPLC) |
| Mass | confirmed by MS |
| Available size | 50 mg |
| Category | skin peptides |
Working with it in the laboratory
A lyophilised peptide stays stable when you follow a few simple rules. The table below sums up the key conditions.
| Material state | Temperature | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Lyophilised powder | -20 °C | tightly sealed, no light |
| Solution after dissolving | 2-8 °C | use within the period set by your protocol |
| Refreezing | avoid | repeated cycles reduce stability |
Dissolving
- High-purity water: the basic solvent, chosen in most protocols.
- Dilute acetic acid: used when the peptide dissolves poorly in water, because it lowers the pH of the solution.
Before opening a vial, let it reach room temperature. This limits moisture condensing on the powder.
Batch quality
Every batch goes through two checks:
- HPLC: purity of 99% or higher.
- MS: confirmation of a molecular mass consistent with the tripeptide structure.
Read more about our procedures on the quality page.
Related products
- GHK-Cu, the copper complex, useful for comparison with the Basic form
- AHK-Cu, another copper peptide from the same research group
- Matrixyl, a peptide used in matrix remodelling studies
Browse all reagents in the skin peptides category. Calculate your solution concentration in the concentration calculator.
