Peptide Lab HQ Research Guide
AHK-Cu
A research-focused compound profile covering AHK-Cu identity, copper tripeptide research, dermal papilla cell models, hair follicle research, concentration reference, reconstitution reference, and safety considerations.
Compound Data
Compound Profile
| Compound Name | AHK-Cu |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Alanyl-Histidyl-Lysine Copper Complex |
| Compound Type | Synthetic copper tripeptide complex |
| CAS Number | 682809-81-0 |
| PubChem CID | 168431292 |
| Amino Acid Length | 3 amino acids with copper complexation |
| Amino Acid Sequence | Ala-His-Lys-Cu |
| Short Sequence | AHK-Cu |
| Molecular Formula | Form-dependent; PubChem-listed hydrochloride form: C₁₅H₂₄ClCuN₆O₄ |
| Molecular Weight | Form-dependent; PubChem-listed hydrochloride form: approximately 451.39 g/mol |
| Research Category | Copper peptide, dermal papilla cell, hair follicle, fibroblast, extracellular matrix, and epithelial tissue research |
| Appearance | Blue to blue-green lyophilized powder, depending on copper-peptide form and supplier documentation |
| Use | For laboratory research use only. |
Research Applications
Key Research Applications
AHK-Cu is commonly discussed in controlled research models involving copper tripeptide signaling, dermal papilla cell behavior, hair follicle elongation, fibroblast activity, epithelial tissue response, and extracellular matrix-related observations.
Hair Follicle Research
AHK-Cu is commonly studied in ex vivo hair follicle models involving follicle elongation, dermal papilla signaling, and hair-cycle related observations.
Dermal Papilla Cell Models
Used in research involving dermal papilla cell proliferation, survival signaling, apoptosis markers, and follicle-supporting cell behavior.
Copper Peptide Research
Relevant to research involving copper-binding tripeptides, copper-dependent peptide signaling, and copper-associated cellular response pathways.
Fibroblast & ECM Research
Discussed in research contexts involving fibroblast behavior, extracellular matrix remodeling, collagen-associated pathways, and tissue-support structures.
VEGF / TGF-β Context
Copper tripeptide research is often discussed in relation to vascular endothelial growth factor activity and transforming growth factor beta signaling.
Epithelial Tissue Models
AHK-Cu is commonly referenced in epithelial, dermal, and scalp-tissue research models involving cellular maintenance and tissue-response documentation.
Research Scope
These applications are provided for educational and research-reference purposes only. Research outcomes may vary based on copper-complex form, purity, concentration, study model, route, timing, and laboratory conditions.
Reference Only
Reconstitution / Research Dosing Reference
Select Reference Vial
Select a vial size to update the concentration, U-100 unit references, and frequency table below.
Quick Reference Summary
| Reference Vial | 50 mg AHK-Cu |
|---|---|
| Primary Solution Volume | 3.0 mL bacteriostatic water |
| Primary Concentration | 16.67 mg/mL |
| Measurement Reference | On a U-100 syringe, 1 unit = 0.01 mL. |
| Amount per U-100 Unit | At 16.67 mg/mL, 1 unit equals 0.1667 mg / 166.67 mcg AHK-Cu. |
| Storage Reference | Refrigerate at 2–8°C / 35.6–46.4°F after reconstitution, protected from direct light. |
Reconstitution Steps
- Draw 3.0 mL bacteriostatic water using a sterile syringe for the main concentration reference shown below.
- Slowly add the BAC water down the side of the vial wall.
- Gently roll or swirl the vial until the material is completely dissolved. The solution may appear clear to blue-tinted depending on supplier format, copper complex form, and concentration. Do not shake!
- Because this is a higher-concentration copper-peptide preparation, verify complete dissolution before recording the final preparation details.
- Label with compound name, vial amount, concentration, solvent volume, preparation date, storage conditions, and handling notes.
- Store refrigerated at 2–8°C / 35.6–46.4°F, protected from direct light.
Published Research Context
| Reference Type | Reported Amount / Context | Research Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Compound Identity Reference | AHK-Cu, L-alanyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine copper complex | AHK-Cu is commonly discussed as a copper tripeptide complex in hair follicle, dermal papilla cell, skin-model, and tissue-response research contexts. |
| Hair Follicle Research Context | Ex vivo follicle and dermal papilla cell models | AHK-Cu has been studied in relation to human hair follicle elongation, dermal papilla cell proliferation, apoptosis-marker activity, and follicle-growth research models. |
| Dermal Papilla Cell Research | Model-dependent concentration and endpoint tracking | Commonly discussed in dermal papilla cell proliferation, Bcl-2 / Bax marker balance, caspase-3 marker activity, PARP marker activity, and cellular-survival pathway research. |
| Copper Peptide Research Context | Copper-complex peptide and tissue-response context | AHK-Cu is often discussed alongside copper-peptide research involving extracellular-matrix markers, collagen-related markers, wound-response context, and tissue-remodeling models. |
| Skin / Formulation Research Context | Topical formulation and cosmetic peptide context | Public research and formulation references commonly discuss AHK-Cu in skin-model, scalp-model, topical formulation, peptide-stability, and compatibility-screening contexts. |
| Public Protocol-Style Reference | Microgram-to-milligram reference examples | Public protocol-style references commonly describe AHK-Cu in microgram-to-milligram examples depending on research design and preparation format. These are not clinical dosing standards. |
| Clinical / Research-Chemical Status | No universal research-chemical protocol established | Published study references, cosmetic formulation references, public protocol-style references, or wellness protocols should not be treated as dosing instructions for research-chemical vial formats. |
Concentration Reference
| Vial Amount | Solution Volume | Final Concentration |
|---|---|---|
| 50 mg | 3.0 mL | 16.67 mg/mL |
| 100 mg | 3.0 mL | 33.33 mg/mL |
Research Dosing Amount / Volume Reference
| Reference Amount | Volume at 16.67 mg/mL | U-100 Unit Reference | Approx. References per 50 mg Vial |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0.5 mg / 500 mcg | 0.03 mL | 3 units | 100 |
| 1 mg / 1000 mcg | 0.06 mL | 6 units | 50 |
| 2 mg / 2000 mcg | 0.12 mL | 12 units | 25 |
| 5 mg / 5000 mcg | 0.30 mL | 30 units | 10 |
| 10 mg / 10000 mcg | 0.60 mL | 60 units | 5 |
| 25 mg / 25000 mcg | 1.50 mL | 150 units | 2 |
| 50 mg / 50000 mcg | 3.00 mL | 300 units | 1 |
| 100 mg / 100000 mcg | 6.00 mL | 600 units | 0.5 |
Research Frequency / Amount Reference
| Research Window | Frequency | Reference Amount | Units / Volume Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lower Conversion Reference | Calculation reference only | 0.5 mg reference amount | 3 units / 0.03 mL |
| Low Conversion Reference | Public protocol-style reference, not a clinical dosing standard | 1 mg reference amount | 6 units / 0.06 mL |
| Low-to-Mid Conversion Example | Public protocol-style reference, not a clinical dosing standard | 2 mg reference amount | 12 units / 0.12 mL |
| Mid-Range Conversion Example | Calculation reference only | 5 mg reference amount | 30 units / 0.30 mL |
| Upper Conversion Example | Calculation reference only | 10 mg reference amount | 60 units / 0.60 mL |
| High Conversion Example | Calculation reference only | 25 mg reference amount | 150 units / 1.50 mL |
| 50 mg Preparation Reference | Preparation-level calculation reference | 50 mg reference amount | 300 units / 3.00 mL |
| 100 mg Preparation Reference | Preparation-level calculation reference | 100 mg reference amount | 600 units / 6.00 mL |
Common Research Windows
| Reference Window | Common Length | Research Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Cell-Culture / Dermal Papilla Window | 24–72 hours | May be used for dermal papilla cell proliferation, apoptosis-marker tracking, Bcl-2 / Bax marker observation, caspase-3 marker activity, or cellular-response documentation depending on the model. |
| Hair Follicle Observation Window | Several days to 2 weeks | Used for ex vivo follicle elongation, hair-follicle marker comparison, dermal papilla cell response, or peptide-complex response tracking depending on the research design. |
| Short Skin / Scalp Model Window | 1–4 weeks | May be used for controlled observation involving scalp-model markers, skin-model markers, extracellular-matrix markers, or formulation-response endpoints. |
| Standard Protocol-Style Window | 4–8 weeks | Commonly used in public protocol-style references for structured cosmetic peptide observation and comparison across baseline and follow-up periods. |
| Extended Observation Window | 8–12 weeks or longer | Used when longer documentation is needed for hair-model marker trends, formulation stability, scalp-model response, or follow-up marker tracking. |
| Follow-Up / Washout | 2–8 weeks | Used to document post-study observations, marker return, delayed response patterns, or follow-up data depending on the research model. |
Research Note: These tables are provided for educational, research-planning, concentration, frequency-reference, and volume-reference purposes only. AHK-Cu is commonly discussed in copper tripeptide, dermal papilla cell, hair follicle, apoptosis-marker, Bcl-2 / Bax, caspase-3, PARP, extracellular-matrix marker, skin-model, scalp-model, and formulation research contexts. The selector above updates calculations for 50 mg and 100 mg vial references, each reconstituted with 3.0 mL bacteriostatic water. Copper-peptide preparations may have supplier-specific color, solubility, stability, or handling requirements; verify against the COA, batch record, or formula record when available. Published study references, cosmetic formulation references, and public protocol-style frequency references are not universal research-chemical dosing standards and should not be treated as dosing instructions for research-chemical vial formats. This information is not medical advice, dosing instruction, injectable-use guidance, or a recommendation for human or animal use.
Research Notes
Research Findings & Safety Notes
Research Findings
AHK-Cu is commonly discussed in research involving human hair follicle elongation, dermal papilla cell proliferation, copper peptide signaling, fibroblast behavior, VEGF-related pathways, apoptosis markers, and epithelial tissue response.
Study Limitations
AHK-Cu research is heavily based on in vitro and ex vivo models. Published findings do not establish a standardized injectable, topical, or clinical dosing protocol for research-chemical vial formats.
Safety Considerations
Copper peptide materials should be handled using appropriate PPE, clean technique, proper labeling, batch documentation, and qualified research procedures.
Use Restriction
Not for human or animal consumption. Not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
Research Notes
Research Findings & Safety Notes
Research Findings
Research discussions around 5-Amino-1MQ commonly focus on NNMT activity, cellular metabolism, and metabolic pathway modeling.
Study Limitations
Findings may vary based on model type, study design, concentration, purity, and laboratory conditions.
Safety Considerations
This material should be handled only in appropriate laboratory settings using proper PPE and qualified procedures.
Use Restriction
Not for human or animal consumption. Not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
Related Supplies
Research Supplies
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Bacteriostatic Water
Commonly referenced in laboratory preparation workflows.
Research Syringes
Supply category for controlled laboratory research preparation.
Prep Supplies
Supporting supplies for clean handling, preparation, and documentation.
Lab Handling
Handling & Storage
Storage
Store materials according to product-specific requirements. Protect from excessive heat, moisture, and direct light.
After Reconstitution
Keep refrigerated after reconstitution unless otherwise specified by the product documentation.
Handling
Use appropriate laboratory PPE, clean handling practices, and qualified research procedures.
Documentation
Maintain batch details, COA records, preparation notes, and internal research documentation.