- OP Labs formerly Oxford Peptides.
- Batch HPLC tested at ā„ 99% purity.
- Storage: ā20 Ā°C long term; 2ā8 Ā°C short term.
- Sold for research purposes only.
AHK-Cu
Synonyms / Designations: AHK-Cu, L-Alanyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine copper(II) complex
CAS Number: 682809-81-0 (copper complex, monohydrochloride)
Amino Acid Sequence: Ala-His-Lys (AHK)
Molecular Formula: C15H26N6O4 (AHK peptide), supplied as the copper(II) complex
Molecular Weight: 354.41 g/mol (peptide); 451.39 g/mol (copper complex, monohydrochloride)
Purity: ā„ 99% (HPLC)
Appearance: Blue to deep blue lyophilised powder
Pack Size: 100 mg (total)
Storage: Desiccated, protected from light, stored at ā20 Ā°C or below
Solubility: Water and buffered aqueous solutions; limited solubility in organic solvents.
Description & Mechanism
AHK-Cu is a synthetic copper(II) complex of the tripeptide L-alanyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine (AHK). The N-terminal amine and the histidine imidazole provide the principal copper-binding sites, forming a defined copperāpeptide chelate.
AHK-Cu is structurally related to GHK-Cu, differing only in the N-terminal residue (alanine in place of glycine). This makes the pair useful for comparative studies of how peptide sequence affects copper coordination, complex stability and copper-dependent responses in cell-based systems.
Observed effects are context-dependent and vary with concentration, exposure time, buffer composition and model system.
Applications in Research
- Studies of copper coordination and peptideāmetal binding.
- Comparative studies with GHK-Cu and other copper-binding tripeptides.
- Cell-based assays of copper-dependent signalling and gene expression.
- Use as a reference compound in peptideāmetal complex characterisation.
Specifications Summary
| Parameter | Typical Value / Range |
|---|---|
| Purity (HPLC) | ā„ 99% |
| Appearance | Blue to deep blue lyophilised powder |
| Molecular Weight | 354.41 g/mol (peptide); 451.39 g/mol (copper complex, monohydrochloride) |
| Compound Type | Copper-binding tripeptide |
| Solubility | Water, dilute acids, DMSO |
| Storage | ā20 Ā°C, desiccated, dark |
| Pack Size | 100 mg |
Precautions & Notes
- AHK-Cu activity is concentration-dependent; perform appropriate concentrationāresponse controls.
- Copper coordination may be affected by pH, ionic strength, and chelating agents.
- Light exposure and prolonged aqueous storage may reduce stability.
- Intended strictly for laboratory research use; not for human or veterinary application.
Keywords: AHK-Cu, AHK, Copper Peptide.
