Research library / Compounds

What is ?

A copper-binding tripeptide first reported in human plasma in 1973.

is the copper complex of a three-amino-acid peptide: glycine, histidine and lysine. The peptide was first reported in human plasma in 1973, and it binds copper strongly, which is why the copper complex is the form researchers usually study. Prism Labs supplies it as a lyophilized vial.

Prism Labs editorial · Updated October 8, 2026 · 3 min read

Lyophilized vial50mg · 100mg · 99.39% purityFrom $34.99View product

What it is

The peptide is glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine. In the reference copper complex, one copper ion is bound per peptide; the record lists the formula C14H22CuN6O4 and a molecular weight of 401.91 g/mol (PubChem CID 165429100).

Other copper-to-peptide ratios have their own database records. The identity result on your COA is what confirms the supplied form.

Sources: [2] PubChem · reference structure

Where it came from

In 1973, Loren Pickart reported a tripeptide in human plasma that prolonged the survival of cultured liver cells. Later work identified it as glycyl-histidyl-lysine and showed that it binds copper(II).

Research has since moved from cell survival to tissue remodeling and, more recently, to large gene-expression datasets.

Sources: [1] Nature New Biology · 1973 · [3] Journal of Biomaterials Science, Polymer Edition · 2008 · [5] International Journal of Molecular Sciences · 2018

Lyophilized vial from Prism Labs — Every lot ships with its own certificate of analysis.

What researchers have studied

Most published work comes from cell and animal models and from formulation studies:

Tissue remodeling and collagen-related signaling.
Skin-cell research, including work on cosmetic formulations.
Genome-wide expression data, which a 2018 review used to map genes associated with the peptide.

These are observations in laboratory models. They are not evidence about any use in people.

Sources: [3] Journal of Biomaterials Science, Polymer Edition · 2008 · [4] BioMed Research International · 2015 · [5] International Journal of Molecular Sciences · 2018

Where else it appears

It is also a component of two Prism Labs blends: , with two other peptides, and , which adds . How the two blends differ: vs .

How it is supplied and stored

ships as a lyophilized (freeze-dried) powder in 50 mg or 100 mg vials. The powder is stable at room temperature in transit. For lab use it is reconstituted with bacteriostatic water such as .

Concentration is content divided by volume: 50 mg in 5 mL gives 10 mg per mL. The reconstitution calculator handles other combinations.

For storage before and after reconstitution, see how to store lyophilized peptides.

How to verify a batch

Every lot has its own certificate of analysis from an independent lab. Read three results separately:

Identity: confirms the expected compound was detected.
Purity: the share of the measured material that is the intended compound.
Content: the amount measured, compared with the label.

Then match the lot number on your vial or bottle to the report, and use the report’s verification link to confirm it with the testing lab. Step by step: how to read a peptide COA.