Description
AHK-Cu (Alanyl-L-Histidyl-L-Lysine copper(II) complex) is a copper-binding tripeptide structurally related to the well-known GHK-Cu peptide, with alanine substituted for glycine at the N-terminus. AHK-Cu is associated with hair follicle and dermal papilla research in the cosmetic chemistry literature and is the active copper peptide featured in many high-end hair density serum formulations. Like GHK-Cu, AHK-Cu coordinates to a divalent copper ion (Cu²⁺) through the histidine imidazole and N-terminal amine, forming a stable peptide-copper complex with a characteristic deep blue color. This 100mg lyophilized sterile vial presentation is offered for laboratory research applications, providing a standard research vial format for injectable research applications, ex vivo research applications, and small-scale formulation research. AHK-Cu has been investigated in cosmetic chemistry literature for hair follicle dermal papilla research, copper coordination chemistry, and comparative SAR studies versus GHK-Cu. This material is supplied as high-purity research-grade lyophilized copper peptide complex for laboratory and research applications.
Benefits (Research Focus)
• Hair follicle research applications — studied as the hair-focused copper tripeptide associated with hair follicle and dermal papilla research in cosmetic chemistry literature
• Copper coordination chemistry — investigated for Cu²⁺ binding properties and peptide-metal complex stability versus GHK-Cu
• Comparative copper peptide SAR — explored as the alanine-substituted analog of GHK-Cu for N-terminal residue SAR studies
• Sterile injectable research format — examined in sterile injectable research vial format for research applications requiring sterile reconstitution
• Combined AHK-Cu / GHK-Cu research — researched alongside GHK-Cu for combined copper peptide research applications
What Researchers Look At
• Hair follicle dermal papilla cell research endpoints in cosmetic chemistry research
• Copper binding affinity and peptide-Cu²⁺ complex stability characterization versus GHK-Cu
• Comparative pharmacology versus GHK-Cu (glycine N-terminus) — investigating the effect of N-terminal alanine substitution
• Sterile injectable reconstitution stability and pH sensitivity research
• Combined AHK-Cu + GHK-Cu research applications for synergistic copper peptide systems
Quick Specs
• Form: Lyophilized blue-violet powder (characteristic of AHK-Cu copper complex)
• Net Peptide Content: 100 mg per vial
• Quantity: 1 vial
• Appearance: Deep blue to blue-violet lyophilizate (color confirms copper coordination)
• Reconstitution: Bacteriostatic or sterile water (added by the end researcher)
• Purity: ≥99% by HPLC
• Identity: MS-verified (per COA)
• Storage: Protect from light
Identity Basics
• Compound: AHK-Cu (Alanyl-Histidyl-Lysine copper(II) complex)
• Synonyms: Copper tripeptide-3; AHK copper; Ala-His-Lys-Cu²⁺; AHK Cu complex
• Class: Synthetic copper-binding tripeptide; copper coordination complex; hair-focused cosmetic and research-grade copper peptide
• Sequence: Ala-His-Lys coordinated to Cu²⁺
• Relationship to GHK-Cu: Alanine-substituted N-terminal analog of GHK-Cu (glycine → alanine substitution at position 1)
• Formula: C15H26CuN6O4
• Molecular Weight: ~417.95 g/mol (copper-coordinated complex form)
• CAS: Verify against supplier COA (CAS varies by source — AHK peptide free form differs from AHK-Cu complex form)
⚠️ Disclaimer
- This product is intended for laboratory research use only.
- Not for human or veterinary use.
- Not approved for diagnostic, therapeutic, or medical applications.
- Handle using appropriate laboratory safety procedures and personal protective equipment.
COA Verification Notice: Even if the vial label or product image states a certain concentration, always go by the COA for the true verified value. We reference the COA to determine the verified concentration and purity of each product, regardless of what the label or product image indicates.
Janoshik COA — Third-Party Testing
• [COA links for the AHK-Cu 100mg lyophilized vial batch to be added once Janoshik testing is complete]
