AHK-Cu Topical Powder Research Compound (Copper Tripeptide-3)
Topical Powder Format • ≥99% HPLC Purity • Ships in 1–2 Business Days • U.S. Warehouses
AHK-Cu (Copper Tripeptide-3, Ala-His-Lys Copper, CAS 682809-81-0) is a synthetic tripeptide with the sequence Ala-His-Lys complexed with copper(II) ions, supplied by Nextday Peptides in topical powder format for laboratory and analytical research applications. A structural analog of GHK-Cu (Gly-His-Lys Copper) with alanine replacing glycine at the N-terminus, AHK-Cu is studied as a research tool for investigating copper-peptide complex biology, extracellular matrix signaling, VEGF pathway interactions, fibroblast biology, and follicular microenvironment research in controlled in-vitro experimental systems. The topical powder format is suited for formulation development research and dose-response studies requiring custom concentration preparation. For scientific research use only.
Compound Specifications
| Compound Name | AHK-Cu / Copper Tripeptide-3 / Ala-His-Lys Copper |
| Peptide Sequence | Ala-His-Lys (Cu²⁺) |
| Amino Acids | 3 (Tripeptide) |
| Metal Complex | Copper(II) — Cu²⁺ |
| Molecular Formula | C₁₅H₂₅CuN₆O₄ (free complex) / C₁₅H₂₄ClCuN₆O₄ (HCl salt) |
| Molecular Weight | 416 g/mol (free complex) |
| CAS Number | 682809-81-0 |
| INCI Name | Copper Tripeptide-3 |
| Format | Topical powder |
| Appearance | Blue-green powder (copper(II) complexation coloration) |
| Purity | ≥99% (HPLC verified) |
| Storage | -20°C; protect from light and moisture |
| Synonyms | Copper Tripeptide-3, AHK Copper, Ala-His-Lys-Cu, AHK-Cu(2:1) |
Why Research Laboratories Select AHK-Cu Topical Powder
AHK-Cu is studied as a complement and structural analog to GHK-Cu — sharing the same His-Lys C-terminal dipeptide and copper(II) coordination chemistry while differing at the N-terminus (Ala versus Gly). This single amino acid substitution produces distinct physicochemical properties and receptor interaction profiles that make AHK-Cu a valuable comparative research tool for copper-peptide SAR studies. The topical powder format provides higher-fill quantities suited for formulation development, dermal penetration modeling, and dose-response experiments.
- Copper Tripeptide-3 — structural analog of GHK-Cu (Copper Tripeptide-1) with Ala replacing Gly at N-terminus
- Copper(II) coordinated via Ala-His-Lys sequence — Cu²⁺ bound through nitrogen atoms of the tripeptide
- VEGF pathway interactions — studied for VEGF upregulation in fibroblast and endothelial cell research models
- Dermal papilla cell research — Pyo et al. (2007) published human hair follicle elongation data in Archives of Pharmacal Research
- Topical powder format — higher-fill quantity suited for formulation development and dose-response research protocols
- Blue-green appearance confirms Cu²⁺ complexation — visually distinguishable from non-copper peptide powders
- Batch and lot identifiers on all labeling for full laboratory documentation compliance
Research Background
AHK-Cu belongs to the copper-peptide research family alongside GHK-Cu (Copper Tripeptide-1) and GHK (Glycyl-L-Histidyl-L-Lysine). Pyo et al. (2007) published findings in Archives of Pharmacal Research examining AHK-Cu’s effects on human hair follicle elongation and dermal papilla cell proliferation in in-vitro models. Research examining AHK-Cu in VEGF and TGF-β1 pathway modulation has appeared in multiple dermatology-adjacent research publications. AHK-Cu has been referenced in the Bcl-2/Bax apoptosis pathway research in follicular biology research models. All information provided here is for educational and reference purposes only and does not constitute medical, clinical, or cosmetic guidance of any kind.
Reference sources: Pyo et al. (2007) — Archives of Pharmacal Research (AHK-Cu hair follicle) | MedChemExpress — Copper Tripeptide-3
Shipping & Fulfillment
- Ships from U.S. warehouses — Florida, North Carolina, and California
- Overnight and 2-day shipping available at checkout
- Same-day processing on orders placed before 3:30 PM ET
- Discreet packaging with full tracking provided
- Bulk research orders welcome — contact us for volume pricing
Storage & Handling
- Store at -20°C away from light and moisture
- Keep container tightly sealed when not in use — reseal immediately after each use
- Handle using appropriate laboratory safety protocols for copper-peptide complexes
- Use appropriate PPE when handling powder form
- For research use in controlled laboratory settings only
Frequently Asked Questions
What is AHK-Cu?
AHK-Cu (Copper Tripeptide-3, CAS 682809-81-0) is a synthetic tripeptide with the sequence Ala-His-Lys complexed with copper(II). A structural analog of GHK-Cu (Copper Tripeptide-1) differing at the N-terminus — alanine replacing glycine. Supplied in topical powder format for laboratory formulation development and analytical research applications. Supplied strictly for scientific, analytical, and in-vitro laboratory research use only.
How does AHK-Cu differ from GHK-Cu?
AHK-Cu (Ala-His-Lys·Cu²⁺) and GHK-Cu (Gly-His-Lys·Cu²⁺) share the same His-Lys C-terminal dipeptide and copper(II) coordination chemistry but differ at the N-terminus. GHK-Cu has glycine at position 1; AHK-Cu has alanine — a slightly larger, methyl-substituted amino acid. This substitution alters the peptide’s physicochemical properties, receptor interaction profile, and biological activity signature in experimental models, making the two compounds complementary research tools for copper-peptide comparative pharmacology studies.
Why does AHK-Cu appear blue-green?
The characteristic blue-green color of AHK-Cu powder is derived from its copper(II) complexation. The Cu²⁺ ion absorbs light in the green spectrum, giving copper-peptide complexes their distinctive blue-green appearance. This confirms the presence of the copper-peptide complex and is a normal visual property of all Cu²⁺-coordinated peptides including GHK-Cu and AHK-Cu.
Why is AHK-Cu supplied as topical powder rather than a standard vial?
The topical powder format provides a higher fill quantity suited for formulation development research, dermal penetration studies, and dose-response experiments requiring custom concentration preparation across multiple samples — applications where the smaller fill of a standard reconstitution vial would be limiting.
What purity is your AHK-Cu Topical Powder?
Every batch is quality tested to ≥99% purity. A Certificate of Analysis is available for each lot.
How fast does Nextday Peptides ship?
We ship from U.S. warehouses in Florida, North Carolina, and California. Overnight and 2-day shipping options are available. Orders placed before 3:30 PM ET are processed same day.
Are bulk orders available?
Yes. We accommodate bulk research orders. Contact us directly for volume pricing and availability.
Is this product approved for medical or cosmetic use?
No. This product is for laboratory research use only. It is not approved for human or veterinary use, and is not intended for diagnostic, therapeutic, cosmetic, or clinical applications of any kind.
What other compounds does Nextday Peptides carry?
We also carry GHK-Cu, GHK-Cu Topical Powder, SNAP-8, and LL-37. View our full research compounds catalog.
For Research Use Only — Not for human or veterinary consumption • Not evaluated by the FDA • Not for cosmetic application • Supplied by Nextday Peptides for in-vitro laboratory research use only
