AHK-Cu 100mg

Certificate of Analysis (COA): Pending 

AHK-Cu (Copper Tripeptide-3) is a synthetic research peptide composed of three amino acids (alanine, histidine, lysine) complexed with a copper ion. Structurally a close cousin of GHK-Cu, AHK-Cu has become a focused subject of preclinical investigation, particularly in studies relating to hair follicle biology, dermal cell research, and copper-mediated signalling pathways. While not approved for human or veterinary use, AHK-Cu continues to generate strong interest as a research compound across cellular and tissue model studies.

Area of Interest

Research on AHK-Cu has focused on several areas of interest:

• Hair Follicle Biology: Investigated in models examining follicle elongation, anagen phase activity, and dermal papilla cell behaviour in vitro.
• Dermal Cell Research: Studied in fibroblast and keratinocyte models, where research has explored proliferation, viability, and extracellular matrix dynamics.
• Vascular Signalling: Preclinical studies have examined AHK-Cu in relation to vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression and angiogenic pathways.
• Copper-Mediated Pathways: Research has explored its role as a copper-binding tripeptide in cellular signalling, antioxidant defence, and collagen-related biological models.

Together, these studies position AHK-Cu as an actively investigated peptide in dermal and follicular research, complementing the broader body of work on copper-binding peptides.

Technical Information

• Chemical Name: Copper Tripeptide-3 (Alanyl-Histidyl-Lysine Copper Complex)
• Synonyms: AHK-Cu, Ala-His-Lys-Cu, Copper Tripeptide 3
• Molecular Formula: C₁₅H₂₅CuN₆O₄ (peptide-copper complex)
• Molecular Weight: approximately 416.94 g/mol
• Sequence (Amino Acid): Ala-His-Lys (AHK)
• CAS Number: 767286-83-9
• Peptide Classification: Synthetic copper-binding tripeptide

Storage Guidelines

• Lyophilized peptide is stable at room temperature for several weeks.
• For long-term storage, keep at −20°C or below.
• Once reconstituted, store at 2–8 °C. Effective use depends on the solution used.

Solubility

AHK-Cu is soluble in sterile water and bacteriostatic water. Avoid acidic buffers or low-pH solutions which may destabilise the copper complex.

References

• Pyo, H.K., Yoo, H.G., Won, C.H., et al. (2007). "The effect of tripeptide-copper complex on human hair growth in vitro." Archives of Pharmacal Research, 30(7), 834–839. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02978835
• Pickart, L., Vasquez-Soltero, J.M., Margolina, A. (2015). "GHK peptide as a natural modulator of multiple cellular pathways in skin regeneration." BioMed Research International, 2015, 648108. https://doi.org/10.1155/2015/648108
• Pickart, L., Margolina, A. (2018). "Regenerative and protective actions of the GHK-Cu peptide in the light of the new gene data." International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 19(7), 1987. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms19071987