Bioregulatory & Senescence Research Guide

AHK-CU: Mechanism, Handling & Research Guide

Also known as: AHK-Cu, AHK-Cu2+, Copper tripeptide-3, Alanyl-histidyl-lysine copper, Ala-His-Lys copper complex, L-alanyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine-Cu(II)

Key Facts

AHK-CU is a bioregulatory & senescence research peptide (C15H26CuN6O4, MW 417.95 g/mol). AHK-Cu is a copper tripeptide complex (Ala-His-Lys) studied alongside GHK-Cu for effects on hair follicle biology and tissue remodeling. For laboratory research use only. It is supplied as a lyophilized powder for laboratory and in-vitro research use only — not for human consumption.

Classification	Copper(II)-binding tripeptide complex (cosmetic/dermatologic research analog of GHK-Cu)
Molecular Formula	C15H26CuN6O4
Molecular Weight	417.95 g/mol
Research Half-Life	Not well characterized; no robust pharmacokinetic half-life is reported in the peer-reviewed literature
Form	Lyophilized powder
Research Category	Bioregulatory & Senescence

What is AHK-CU?

AHK-Cu is a copper-binding tripeptide composed of alanine, histidine, and lysine complexed with copper(II). Like its better-known relative GHK-Cu, it has been studied for its ability to deliver copper to cells and influence pathways involved in extracellular matrix synthesis, angiogenesis, and follicular signaling. Research interest has centered on hair growth models, where copper peptides have been observed to affect vascular endothelial growth factor expression and dermal papilla cell activity, as well as on skin remodeling and antioxidant research. Supplied as a lyophilized powder for in-vitro and laboratory research use only.

AHK-CU Research Applications

In published and preclinical research, AHK-CU has been studied across the following areas:

Copper peptide signaling research
Hair follicle and dermal papilla studies
Extracellular matrix and tissue remodeling
Antioxidant pathway research

AHK-CU in Research: Study Context

Published literature characterizes AHK-Cu as an alanyl-histidyl-lysine tripeptide complexed with copper(II), studied in vitro for effects on hair-follicle biology; Pyo et al. (2007) reported that AHK-Cu at 10^-12 to 10^-9 M stimulated ex-vivo human hair-follicle elongation and dermal-papilla-cell proliferation, with associated VEGF expression and reduced apoptosis. It is positioned alongside the more extensively studied copper tripeptide GHK-Cu, whose tissue-remodeling and regenerative biology is reviewed by Pickart & Margolina (2018). Evidence is in-vitro/ex-vivo. For laboratory research use only - not FDA-approved, with no human concentration provided. For benchtop preparation the lyophilized powder is reconstituted with bacteriostatic water to a defined concentration (e.g., 100 mg in 5 mL = 20 mg/mL); design studies to the primary literature and verify each lot against its Certificate of Analysis (COA).

How AHK-CU Compares

Researchers frequently evaluate AHK-CU alongside related compounds:

AHK-CU vs GHK-Cu — The parent/most-studied copper tripeptide (glycyl-histidyl-lysine) with broader tissue-remodeling literature; AHK-Cu is its alanine-substituted analog studied chiefly for follicular effects.

AHK-CU — Frequently Asked Questions

What does the literature characterize about AHK-Cu?

Pyo et al. (2007) reported that AHK-Cu (Ala-His-Lys copper complex) stimulated elongation of human hair follicles ex vivo and proliferation of dermal papilla cells in vitro at very low (10^-12 to 10^-9 M) concentrations, with effects on VEGF expression and reduced apoptosis. These are in-vitro and ex-vivo findings only, not therapeutic claims.

How is AHK-Cu prepared for laboratory research?

For in-vitro work the lyophilized powder is reconstituted with bacteriostatic water to a defined mg/mL stock (for example, 100 mg in 5 mL yields 20 mg/mL), added slowly along the vial wall without shaking and kept cold. No human concentration is provided - AHK-Cu is supplied for laboratory research use only and is not FDA-approved. Verify identity and copper-complex purity against the lot COA.

How does AHK-Cu compare to GHK-Cu in research?

Both are copper-binding tripeptides; GHK-Cu (glycyl-histidyl-lysine) has the larger published literature on tissue remodeling and wound-related signaling, while AHK-Cu (alanyl-histidyl-lysine) is studied as a related analog with reported hair-follicle and dermal-papilla effects (Pyo et al. 2007). Researchers compare them to probe sequence-dependent copper-peptide activity.

Why is copper part of the AHK-Cu research complex?

The histidine and lysine residues coordinate copper(II), and literature attributes much of the biological activity of copper tripeptides to copper delivery influencing matrix synthesis and angiogenic signaling (Pickart & Margolina 2018). The copper complexation is integral to the molecule being studied, not an additive.

Is AHK-CU legal to buy for research?

AHK-CU is sold in the United States as a research chemical for laboratory and in-vitro use only. It is not approved by the FDA for human use and is not sold for human consumption. Researchers are responsible for compliance with all applicable federal, state, and institutional regulations.

Does AHK-CU come with a Certificate of Analysis?

Yes. Every batch of AHK-CU from Elyte Peptides ships with a third-party Certificate of Analysis (COA) documenting identity and HPLC purity (≥98%), so research results can be traced to a verified lot.

What is AHK-CU?

AHK-Cu is a copper tripeptide complex (Ala-His-Lys) studied alongside GHK-Cu for effects on hair follicle biology and tissue remodeling. For laboratory research use only. It is supplied in 100mg vials and intended strictly for in-vitro and laboratory research use only.

How should AHK-CU be stored?

AHK-CU should be stored at -20°C for long-term storage or 2-8°C for short-term use. Keep the vial sealed and protected from light, moisture, and repeated freeze-thaw cycles. Once reconstituted, store at 2-8°C and use within 30 days.

What purity is AHK-CU?

AHK-CU is manufactured to a minimum purity of ≥98% as verified by HPLC analysis, with identity confirmed by mass spectrometry. Each batch ships with a Certificate of Analysis (COA).

Research References

All research guides