Last reviewed: October 2026 · Cleared Peptides research team
GHK-Basic is the copper-free tripeptide glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine. It is the same three-residue sequence as the peptide portion of GHK-Cu, supplied without a copper ion. The copper complex is a different registry entry and is described on the GHK-Cu guide.
Identifiers
| Name | GHK (basic tripeptide) |
|---|---|
| Synonyms | Glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine; tripeptide-1, copper-free form |
| CAS number | 49557-75-7 |
| PubChem CID | 73587 |
| Molecular formula | C14H24N6O4 |
| Molecular weight | 340.4 g/mol |
| Sequence | Gly-His-Lys |
| Copper | Not present. GHK-Cu, the copper(II) complex, is CAS 89030-95-5. |
| Physical form | Lyophilized powder |
| Solubility | Depends on salt form and solvent. Use the lot COA. No single public solubility figure is stated here. |
Published laboratory notes
Published coordination studies describe GHK as a histidine-containing tripeptide that can bind copper(II) when copper is added in a laboratory mixture. This catalog item is the metal-free peptide, so a laboratory controls whether copper is present. The copper complex has a different molecular formula (C14H22CuN6O4) and a different CAS number.
These notes are structural and chemical. They are not statements of benefit or use.
Research material
GHK (basic tripeptide) · GHK-Cu · COA page
Other names
| This catalog item | GHK-Basic. The copper-free tripeptide. |
|---|---|
| Sequence name | Glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine; Gly-His-Lys |
| Other labels | GHK; tripeptide-1 in the copper-free form |
| Not this item | GHK-Cu, the copper(II) complex, CAS 89030-95-5. That complex is a different registry entry. |
GHK-Basic compared with GHK-Cu
Both names refer to the same three residues, Gly-His-Lys. The difference is the metal. GHK-Basic is supplied without copper. Published coordination studies start from that metal-free peptide and add Cu(II) in the experiment. Lau and Sarkar measured that binding by potentiometry and visible absorption. A later EPR study reported three nitrogen ligands to the copper ion. Those are coordination results. They are not statements of benefit or use.
| GHK-Basic | GHK-Cu | |
|---|---|---|
| Sequence | Gly-His-Lys | Gly-His-Lys |
| Copper | Not present | Copper(II) |
| CAS | 49557-75-7 | 89030-95-5 |
| Formula | C14H24N6O4 | C14H22CuN6O4 |
The copper complex is written up on the GHK-Cu guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is GHK-Basic the same vial as GHK-Cu?
No. GHK-Basic is the copper-free tripeptide, CAS 49557-75-7. GHK-Cu is the copper(II) complex, CAS 89030-95-5.
What does tripeptide-1 mean here?
It is another name for the Gly-His-Lys sequence. On this page it means the copper-free form.
Is GHK-Basic for human use?
No. It is supplied for laboratory research use only and is not for human or veterinary use.
Selected References
Peer-reviewed literature listed as scientific background for laboratory researchers. Citation does not imply endorsement by the authors, and it is not a statement of benefit or use.
- Pickart L, Thaler MM. Tripeptide in human serum which prolongs survival of normal liver cells and stimulates growth in neoplastic liver. Nat New Biol. 1973;243(124):85-87. Structural and biochemical identification of the Gly-His-Lys tripeptide. PubChem 73587
- Lau SJ, Sarkar B. The interaction of copper(II) and glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine, a growth-modulating tripeptide from plasma. Biochem J. 1981;199(3):649-656. Cited here for the potentiometric and visible-absorption study of Cu(II) binding to Gly-His-Lys, not for any use claim in the paper title. PubMed 7340824 · DOI
- Laussac JP, Haran R, Sarkar B. N.m.r. and e.p.r. investigation of the interaction of copper(II) and glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine, a growth-modulating tripeptide from plasma. Biochem J. 1983;209(2):533-539. Cited here for EPR evidence that Cu(II) coordinates three nitrogen atoms of the tripeptide. PubMed 6303307 · DOI
Research Use Only Notice
This guide is provided for educational and laboratory reference purposes. It summarizes published structural and biochemical literature. It does not describe, recommend, or imply any use in humans or animals. Products sold by Cleared Peptides are for laboratory research use only. They are not drugs, foods, cosmetics, or dietary supplements, are not FDA-approved, and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, mitigate, or prevent any disease. No dosing, administration, or use instructions are provided.
