AHK-Cu

AHK-Cu (Alanyl-Histidyl-Lysyl copper) is a tripeptide-copper complex closely analogous to GHK-Cu, differing only in the N-terminal residue: alanine in place of glycine. The peptide coordinates a divalent copper ion (Cu²⁺) in the same square- planar geometry seen in GHK-Cu, with the metal held between the histidine imidazole, the histidine α-amine and the terminal amine and carboxylate of the tripeptide.

Molecular formula C₁₃H₂₄CuN₆O₄, calculated molecular weight approximately 402 g/mol. NMChem supplies AHK-Cu as a 50 mg lyophilised acetate salt.

Mechanistically, AHK-Cu shares the core copper-delivery and gene-expression-modulation activities of GHK-Cu. The substitution of alanine for glycine at the N-terminus subtly alters the peptide's lipophilicity (one extra methyl group, slightly more hydrophobic) but conserves the histidine-mediated copper coordination that underlies most reported biological activity.

In hair-follicle and dermal-papilla research, AHK-Cu has been investigated specifically in relation to anagen-phase induction and minoxidil-comparator studies.

Investigated primarily in hair-follicle biology research and in dermal-papilla cell-culture studies. The compound is frequently used as a comparator to GHK-Cu in head-to-head wound-healing assays.

Supplied as a research-grade reference standard for laboratory use only. Not a licensed medicinal product in the United Kingdom and not approved by the MHRA for human or veterinary administration. Sale is restricted to researchers, institutions and laboratory professionals; the compound must be retained within research premises. End-user compliance with the Human Medicines Regulations 2012, the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 (where applicable) and local institutional biosafety policy is the responsibility of the buyer.