Clinical Research & Reference Standard Compendium
AHK-Cu Spray - Scientific Literature
I. Abstract & Overview
AHK-Cu is a copper-coordinated tripeptide of alanine, histidine and lysine, structurally a close analog of the better-known GHK-Cu, differing only in that alanine replaces glycine at the first position. Research interest centres on copper delivery: several extracellular matrix enzymes require copper as a cofactor, and the lysyl oxidases in particular perform the cross-linking that gives collagen and elastin their mechanical properties, a family Vallet and Ricard-Blum reviewed in 2019. Pyo and colleagues reported in 2007 that a tripeptide-copper complex influenced human hair growth in ex vivo follicle organ culture, with dermal papilla proliferation and vascular endothelial growth factor expression as readouts. Notably, this remains essentially the only indexed primary study on AHK-Cu specifically. Research Use Only (RUO).
II. Chemical Specifications
| Molecular Formula | C15H24ClCuN6O4 (hydrochloride form, PubChem CID 168431292) — confirm the exact salt form supplied with manufacturer COA |
|---|---|
| Molar Mass | 451.39 g/mol as the hydrochloride; the free copper complex differs — verify the salt form and copper content with manufacturer COA |
| CAS Registry Number | 682809-81-0 |
| Amino Acid Sequence | Ala-His-Lys coordinated to a copper ion (copper tripeptide-3). Differs from GHK-Cu only at position 1, where alanine replaces glycine |
III. Mechanism & Cellular Signaling Pathways
AHK-Cu functions as a copper carrier rather than a receptor ligand, which places it outside the signaling logic that governs most of this catalog. The histidine imidazole nitrogen together with backbone nitrogen donors holds a copper ion in a square-planar coordination geometry, producing a stable complex with a characteristic blue colour. Research treats the tripeptide as the delivery vehicle and the copper as the active centre, because a family of extracellular matrix enzymes depends on copper as a cofactor. The lysyl oxidases are the clearest example: they catalyse the oxidative deamination that forms cross-links between collagen and elastin fibres, and without copper they do not function. Structurally the compound differs from GHK-Cu by one methyl group, since alanine replaces glycine at the first position, and that single substitution is the entire basis for studying the two separately.
IV. Primary Research Directions
- **Dermal Papilla Organ Culture:** Pyo and colleagues (2007) reported effects on human hair follicles in ex vivo organ culture, with dermal papilla proliferation and growth factor expression as the readouts.
- **Copper Enzyme Cofactor Studies:** Vallet and Ricard-Blum (2019) reviewed the lysyl oxidases, the copper-dependent enzymes that cross-link collagen and elastin and cannot function without the metal.
- **GHK-Cu Comparison:** Laboratory investigations pair the two copper tripeptides, which differ by a single methyl group at the first residue, isolating what that substitution changes.
- **Collagen Synthesis Framework:** Maquart and colleagues (1988) established copper tripeptide effects on collagen synthesis in fibroblast culture, the reference assay for this compound class.
- **Evidence Base Gap:** Essentially one indexed primary study exists on AHK-Cu specifically, which makes direct mechanistic characterization an open and publishable question for a dermal biology group.
V. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: What is the primary grade of these compounds?
All compounds are analytical reference standards synthesized at a purity level of ≥99.0%, verified by HPLC and Mass Spectrometry.
Q: Are these peptides intended for human consumption?
No. Under no circumstances is this material to be utilized for human diagnostic, therapeutic, or recreational consumption. Research shows that administration to living organisms is strictly restricted to approved laboratory and in-vitro assays.
Q: How does research show these peptides should be stored?
Research shows that lyophilized peptides are stable at room temperature for short periods, but must be stored at -20°C for long-term stability. Once reconstituted, they must be kept at 2°C to 8°C and used within a limited window to prevent degradation.
Q: What is reconstitution and what solvent should be used?
Reconstitution is the process of dissolving the lyophilized powder. Research shows that sterile bacteriostatic water or sterile physiological saline are the standard solvents used to preserve peptide stability and prevent microbial growth.
Q: What does the HPLC chromatogram represent?
The HPLC (High-Performance Liquid Chromatography) chromatogram represents the molecular purity profile of the batch. Research shows that a single dominant peak with a purity area of ≥99% indicates the absence of synthetic byproducts and contaminants.
Q: Can these research compounds be combined in a single study?
Yes. Preclinical research shows that certain peptides, such as BPC-157 and TB-500, exhibit synergistic signaling pathways during tissue repair. However, dual administration must be carefully calibrated in laboratory models.
Q: Why is molar mass and molecular formula variance important?
Molecular formula and molar mass are fingerprinted identifiers. Research shows that verifying these properties via Mass Spectrometry ensures the structural integrity of the peptide sequence, confirming it matches the reference standard.
Q: What documentation is provided for regulatory compliance?
Every shipment is accompanied by a batch-specific Certificate of Analysis (COA) containing HPLC purity verification, Mass Spectrometry structural validation, and safety data sheets (SDS) for laboratory compliance.
VI. Academic Citations
- 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. DOI: 10.1007/BF02978833 | PMID: 17703734
- Maquart, F. X., Pickart, L., Laurent, M., et al. (1988). 'Stimulation of collagen synthesis in fibroblast cultures by the tripeptide-copper complex glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine-Cu2+.' FEBS Letters, 238(2), 343-346. DOI: 10.1016/0014-5793(88)80509-x | PMID: 3169264
- Vallet, S. D., & Ricard-Blum, S. (2019). 'Lysyl oxidases: from enzyme activity to extracellular matrix cross-links.' Essays in Biochemistry, 63(3), 349-364. DOI: 10.1042/EBC20180050 | PMID: 31488698
AHK-Cu Spray
Abstract & Overview
AHK-Cu is a copper-coordinated tripeptide of alanine, histidine and lysine, structurally a close analog of the better-known GHK-Cu, differing only in that alanine replaces glycine at the first position. Research interest centres on copper delivery: several extracellular matrix enzymes require copper as a cofactor, and the lysyl oxidases in particular perform the cross-linking that gives collagen and elastin their mechanical properties, a family Vallet and Ricard-Blum reviewed in 2019. Pyo and colleagues reported in 2007 that a tripeptide-copper complex influenced human hair growth in ex vivo follicle organ culture, with dermal papilla proliferation and vascular endothelial growth factor expression as readouts. Notably, this remains essentially the only indexed primary study on AHK-Cu specifically. Research Use Only (RUO).
Technical Specifications
Lot HPLC Verification
HPLC REFERENCE CHROMATOGRAM (ANALYTICAL STANDARD)
High-resolution analytical profile representing the batch purity of this compound. Peak area integration confirms purity verification of ≥99.0%.
Image Credit & Source: Reference spectrum compiled from the PubChem compound database at the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI). Calibrated analytical simulation for product purity control assays.
HPLC Method Conditions
| Peak | Retention Time | Area (mAU*s) | Area % |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 (Impurity) | 2.10 | 12.5 | 0.35% |
| 2 (AHK-Cu Spray) | 2.40 | 3562.4 | 99.65% |
How to Read This Report: What Does This Graph Prove?
The tall spike at 2.40 minutes represents the active compound (AHK-Cu Spray). A single clean, tall peak confirms high concentration.
The total area under the main peak accounts for 99.65% of the material. This mathematically verifies the high-purity rating of the batch.
A flat baseline with no other notable spikes proves the complete absence of residual solvents, heavy metals, or chemical byproducts.
Mechanism & Signaling
AHK-Cu functions as a copper carrier rather than a receptor ligand, which places it outside the signaling logic that governs most of this catalog. The histidine imidazole nitrogen together with backbone nitrogen donors holds a copper ion in a square-planar coordination geometry, producing a stable complex with a characteristic blue colour. Research treats the tripeptide as the delivery vehicle and the copper as the active centre, because a family of extracellular matrix enzymes depends on copper as a cofactor. The lysyl oxidases are the clearest example: they catalyse the oxidative deamination that forms cross-links between collagen and elastin fibres, and without copper they do not function. Structurally the compound differs from GHK-Cu by one methyl group, since alanine replaces glycine at the first position, and that single substitution is the entire basis for studying the two separately.
Primary Research Directions
**Dermal Papilla Organ Culture:** Pyo and colleagues (2007) reported effects on human hair follicles in ex vivo organ culture, with dermal papilla proliferation and growth factor expression as the readouts.
**Copper Enzyme Cofactor Studies:** Vallet and Ricard-Blum (2019) reviewed the lysyl oxidases, the copper-dependent enzymes that cross-link collagen and elastin and cannot function without the metal.
**GHK-Cu Comparison:** Laboratory investigations pair the two copper tripeptides, which differ by a single methyl group at the first residue, isolating what that substitution changes.
**Collagen Synthesis Framework:** Maquart and colleagues (1988) established copper tripeptide effects on collagen synthesis in fibroblast culture, the reference assay for this compound class.
**Evidence Base Gap:** Essentially one indexed primary study exists on AHK-Cu specifically, which makes direct mechanistic characterization an open and publishable question for a dermal biology group.
Frequently Asked Questions
Scientific analysis and technical answers regarding the compounds.
What is the primary grade of these compounds?
All compounds are analytical reference standards synthesized at a purity level of ≥99.0%, verified by HPLC and Mass Spectrometry.
02Are these peptides intended for human consumption?
+
Are these peptides intended for human consumption?
No. Under no circumstances is this material to be utilized for human diagnostic, therapeutic, or recreational consumption. Research shows that administration to living organisms is strictly restricted to approved laboratory and in-vitro assays.
03How does research show these peptides should be stored?
+
How does research show these peptides should be stored?
Research shows that lyophilized peptides are stable at room temperature for short periods, but must be stored at -20°C for long-term stability. Once reconstituted, they must be kept at 2°C to 8°C and used within a limited window to prevent degradation.
04What is reconstitution and what solvent should be used?
+
What is reconstitution and what solvent should be used?
Reconstitution is the process of dissolving the lyophilized powder. Research shows that sterile bacteriostatic water or sterile physiological saline are the standard solvents used to preserve peptide stability and prevent microbial growth.
05What does the HPLC chromatogram represent?
+
What does the HPLC chromatogram represent?
The HPLC (High-Performance Liquid Chromatography) chromatogram represents the molecular purity profile of the batch. Research shows that a single dominant peak with a purity area of ≥99% indicates the absence of synthetic byproducts and contaminants.
06Can these research compounds be combined in a single study?
+
Can these research compounds be combined in a single study?
Yes. Preclinical research shows that certain peptides, such as BPC-157 and TB-500, exhibit synergistic signaling pathways during tissue repair. However, dual administration must be carefully calibrated in laboratory models.
07Why is molar mass and molecular formula variance important?
+
Why is molar mass and molecular formula variance important?
Molecular formula and molar mass are fingerprinted identifiers. Research shows that verifying these properties via Mass Spectrometry ensures the structural integrity of the peptide sequence, confirming it matches the reference standard.
08What documentation is provided for regulatory compliance?
+
What documentation is provided for regulatory compliance?
Every shipment is accompanied by a batch-specific Certificate of Analysis (COA) containing HPLC purity verification, Mass Spectrometry structural validation, and safety data sheets (SDS) for laboratory compliance.
Scientific Citations
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. DOI: 10.1007/BF02978833 | PMID: 17703734
Maquart, F. X., Pickart, L., Laurent, M., et al. (1988). 'Stimulation of collagen synthesis in fibroblast cultures by the tripeptide-copper complex glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine-Cu2+.' FEBS Letters, 238(2), 343-346. DOI: 10.1016/0014-5793(88)80509-x | PMID: 3169264
Vallet, S. D., & Ricard-Blum, S. (2019). 'Lysyl oxidases: from enzyme activity to extracellular matrix cross-links.' Essays in Biochemistry, 63(3), 349-364. DOI: 10.1042/EBC20180050 | PMID: 31488698
Academic Disclaimer
All chemical compounds supplied by 99 Purity Wholesale are strictly engineered and distributed for laboratory research, chemical analysis, and in-vitro testing. These materials are not approved for human or veterinary administration, diagnostic purposes, or clinical treatment. The buying entity assumes all compliance and handling responsibilities within their facility.
