top of page
Search

ALTUM® Science #4_ How GHK Peptide Works

  • Feb 3
  • 2 min read

What are Peptides?


PEPTIDES: Short chains of amino acids acting as biological messengers.

They are generally categorized into four types.

  • Signaling 

  • Carrier 

  • Enzyme- inhibiting 

  • Neurotransmitter- inhibiting


GHK PEPTIDE (Glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine):

A naturally occurring tripeptide composed of glycine, histidine, and lysine.

It readily binds to copper ions to form GHK-Cu.



Key Characteristics of GHK


GHK (Glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine) 

  • A naturally occurring tripeptide found in the human body.

  • It has a high natural affinity for copper and forms GHK-Cu upon binding.

  • Its concentration decreases with age, and this decline is associated with aging.

    • Approx. 200 ng/mL at age 20 → 80 ng/mL by age 60 

    • External supplementation helps replenish reduced GHK levels


 Key Functional Roles of GHK-Cu

  • Strengthens skin structure and supports natural repair processes.

  • Promotes collagen and elastin synthesis to enhance firmness and density.

  • Activates antioxidant pathways to reduce oxidative stress.

  • Modulates gene expression to support long-term skin health and anti-aging effects.



GHK-Peptide Mechanism of Action


(1) Signaling 


GHK functions as a biological signal. It detects damaged or aging skin and triggers cellular repair responses.


🌐 Pathway Activation 

Upon entering the skin, GHK activates multiple regenerative pathways,      acts like a growth factor. 

  • Interacts with adenosine receptors to reduce inflammatory signaling and stabilize the repair environment.

  • Activates key intracellular pathways, MAPK/ERK, PI3K/Akt, and TGF-β.

  • Stimulates fibroblasts and keratinocytes, promoting cell proliferation and differentiation, which enhances collagen, elastin, and other ECM protein synthesis.

Supports ECM remodeling, improving structural integrity, elasticity, and overall regeneration.


(2) GHK-Cu formation



GHK has a strong affinity for Cu²⁺.

So once GHK enters the skin, it readily binds to available copper ions to form GHK-Cu.


(3) Carrier


Once GHK-Cu is formed, it functions as a “carrier” within the skin. It safely delivers Cu²⁺ to enzymes that need it to function.


Why? It safely delivers Cu²⁺ to enzymes that require it for biological activity. This is essential because free Cu²⁺ can easily oxidize and become cytotoxic; GHK-Cu ensures safe and efficient utilization.


🛒 Delivery Cu²⁺

  • SOD: Acts as a cofactor for the antioxidant enzyme SOD, removing reactive oxygen.→ Relieves oxidative stress, suppressing inflammation and aging.

  • LOX(Lysyl Oxidase): Activates LOX, an essential enzyme for collagen and elastin cross-linking.→ Increases the strength and elasticity of skin tissue and promotes recovery.

  • VEGF: Promotes angiogenesis, supplying nutrients and oxygen to damaged areas.→ Accelerates the regeneration process.


→ Delivers Cu²⁺ stably to the enzymes that require it and acts as the executor of these biological processes.


🪢  Environmental Reset/ Executor 

  • Cell Activation: Enhances the activity of fibroblasts, stem cells, promoting ECM synthesis.

  • Gene Expression Remodeling: Regulates the expression of hundreds of genes, fundamentally altering the functional state of cells. → Enables functional restoration and suppression of aging-related genes. 


*GHK acts as the signal switch that initiates repair.  

GHK-Cu serves as the functional mediator that executes the repair process and stabilizes the regenerative environment for sustained effects. 



bottom of page