Biotech Compounds
AHK-Cu
Research Compound

AHK-Cu

AHK-Cu is a tripeptide-metal complex in which the amino acid sequence alanine-histidine-lysine (Ala-His-Lys) is coordinated to a divalent copper ion, Cu(II). It is supplied as a lyophilized powder for in vitro coordination-chemistry and biochemical assay work, including UV-Vis and circular dichroism metal-binding studies, potentiometric determination of stability constants, copper-dependent oxidoreductase assays, and use as a reference standard for reversed-phase HPLC, LC-MS, and ICP-MS copper determination. For research and laboratory use only. Not a drug, dietary supplement, or medical device, and not for human or animal consumption.

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100mg
SKU: AHK
Batch: 202602-01-AHKCU
$47.99
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Est. Arrival: 09/18/2026
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For Research Use Only. This product is intended for laboratory and scientific research purposes only. It is not a drug or dietary supplement and is not for human or veterinary consumption. Not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
99%+ Purity
COA Included
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USA Based
Categories:
StructuralTherapeutic
Tags:
copper peptideAHK-Cutripeptidealanine-histidine-lysinecopper complexcoordination complexmetallopeptidepeptide complexcopper chelationextracellular matrixreference standard

Product Details

AHK-Cu is a tripeptide-metal complex composed of the amino acid sequence alanine-histidine-lysine (Ala-His-Lys) coordinated to a divalent copper ion, Cu(II). Copper chelation is facilitated primarily through the imidazole ring of the histidine residue together with the terminal amine and backbone amide nitrogen donors. It is supplied as a lyophilized powder for in vitro biochemical investigation and as an analytical reference material.


Coordination chemistry is the defining feature of the molecule. The Cu(II) center produces a characteristic d-d absorbance band in the visible region, which allows binding stoichiometry, coordination geometry, and stability constants to be determined by UV-Vis spectrophotometry, circular dichroism, electron paramagnetic resonance, and potentiometric titration. Because copper serves as a cofactor of several oxidoreductases, including superoxide dismutase and lysyl oxidase, AHK-Cu is also used in cell-free systems that measure metal transfer between ligands, redox cycling behavior, and copper-dependent enzyme activity.


In cultured-cell systems the complex has been used as a test article to measure defined laboratory endpoints: transcript and protein levels of extracellular matrix components such as collagen, elastin, and glycosaminoglycans quantified by qPCR and immunoassay; matrix metalloproteinase activity measured by gelatin zymography; fibroblast proliferation measured by MTT and BrdU incorporation assays; and TGF-beta pathway readouts assessed with SMAD-responsive reporter constructs. These are in vitro measurements described here for methodological reference only.


Typical analytical applications include reversed-phase HPLC purity determination, LC-MS and MALDI-TOF mass confirmation, amino acid analysis, and copper content determination by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) or atomic absorption spectroscopy. Store the lyophilized solid desiccated at -20 C and protected from light, and prepare working solutions in metal-free buffer to avoid competing chelation by buffer components.


Disclaimer: AHK-Cu is supplied strictly for research and laboratory use only. This product is not a drug, dietary supplement, or medical device. It is not intended for human or animal consumption, and not for therapeutic, diagnostic, or clinical application. It has not been evaluated by the FDA, and no statement here should be read as a claim to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any condition. All handling should be performed by qualified researchers in accordance with applicable laboratory safety protocols and institutional guidelines.

Frequently Asked Questions About AHK-Cu

Answers summarize published research and are provided for laboratory research purposes only.

AHK-Cu is a copper peptide complex in which the tripeptide alanine-histidine-lysine, or Ala-His-Lys, is coordinated to a divalent copper ion. Research studies have examined AHK-Cu in hair follicle cell culture, in fibroblast studies of extracellular matrix production, and in coordination chemistry work on how small peptides bind copper. Biotech Compounds supplies AHK-Cu as a lyophilized powder for laboratory research.
In research studies, the histidine imidazole ring, the terminal amine, and backbone amide nitrogens of AHK-Cu have been reported to hold the copper ion in a defined coordination geometry. Researchers have described this complex as a carrier that can deliver copper to cells and to copper-dependent enzymes. In cultured-cell systems, AHK-Cu has been observed to change transcript and protein levels of matrix components such as collagen and elastin.
The primary research area for AHK-Cu is hair follicle biology. In vitro studies have examined AHK-Cu in cultured dermal papilla cells, the cells at the base of the hair follicle. Researchers reported that AHK-Cu was associated with increased proliferation of these cells and with higher expression of vascular endothelial growth factor, alongside lower expression of a signal that promotes cell death. These are cell-culture findings.
Yes. A secondary research area for AHK-Cu is the extracellular matrix. In cultured fibroblast studies, researchers reported that AHK-Cu was associated with increased production of collagen, elastin, and glycosaminoglycans measured by qPCR and immunoassay, along with changes in matrix metalloproteinase activity. Research studies have also examined AHK-Cu as a copper source in cell-free assays of copper-dependent enzymes such as lysyl oxidase.
Evidence for AHK-Cu comes mainly from in vitro work, including cultured dermal papilla cells, fibroblast cultures, and cell-free coordination chemistry measured by UV-Vis spectrophotometry, circular dichroism, and potentiometric titration. Small clinical cosmetic studies have looked at topical copper peptide formulations in general, but AHK-Cu itself remains a research compound and reference standard rather than an approved agent.
AHK-Cu and GHK-Cu are both copper tripeptide complexes sold on Biotech Compounds, but they use different amino acid sequences. GHK-Cu is glycine-histidine-lysine and is the more widely published of the two, with research studies reporting effects on wound models and skin matrix remodeling. AHK-Cu swaps glycine for alanine and has been studied more narrowly, with in vitro research focusing on hair follicle dermal papilla cells and fibroblast matrix production.
AHK-Cu is supplied as a lyophilized powder. To reconstitute it, a researcher slowly adds Bacteriostatic Water or a metal-free buffer down the inside wall of the vial and swirls gently until the powder dissolves. The vial should never be shaken. A metal-free buffer is preferred for coordination chemistry work because buffer components that bind copper can compete with the peptide for the metal ion and shift the measured results.
Lyophilized AHK-Cu should be stored desiccated at minus 20 C and protected from light. After reconstitution, the solution should be refrigerated at 2 to 8 C, kept away from light, and used within a short window. Repeated freeze and thaw cycles should be avoided. Because AHK-Cu contains a redox-active copper center, solutions should be kept away from reducing agents that could change the oxidation state of the metal.
Yes. AHK-Cu from Biotech Compounds is listed at 99 percent or higher purity and is third-party tested. A Certificate of Analysis for the current lot is available on the AHK-Cu product page so researchers can review identity and purity data before use. Copper content in AHK-Cu can be independently confirmed in the laboratory by ICP-MS or atomic absorption spectroscopy if a protocol requires it.
AHK-Cu has a molecular weight of 415.93 g/mol and the molecular formula C15H24N6O4Cu. The formula includes the three amino acids alanine, histidine, and lysine plus one copper atom. The Cu(II) center gives AHK-Cu a characteristic absorbance band in the visible region, which is why research studies use UV-Vis spectrophotometry to confirm binding stoichiometry and coordination geometry.
No. AHK-Cu is not approved for human use and is sold strictly as a research material for laboratory research by qualified researchers and research organizations. Purchasers must be 21 years of age or older. AHK-Cu is not a drug or dietary supplement, and it is not intended for human or animal consumption.
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