Cosmetic · N-terminally acetylated synthetic tripeptide
Acetyl Tripeptide-1
Also known as N-Acetyl-GHK; Ac-Gly-His-Lys
An N-acetylated Gly-His-Lys tripeptide whose terminal modification distinguishes its chemistry from free GHK and GHK–copper complexes.
- Length
- 3 amino acids
- Half-life
- Not well characterised
- Mechanism
- N-terminal acetylation blocks the free α-amino group of the Gly-His-Lys scaffold, altering charge and potential metal-coordination behaviour. A selective receptor target and a well-established compound-specific signalling mechanism have not been demonstrated.
- Studied in
- Analytical assays and exploratory skin-cell or reconstructed-skin models can examine stability, metal interactions and extracellular-matrix-associated readouts, although compound-specific published evidence is limited.
About Acetyl Tripeptide-1
Acetyl Tripeptide-1 generally denotes N-acetyl-glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine, an acetylated derivative of the GHK sequence. GHK was originally isolated from plasma in the 1970s, but that discovery should not be presented as the discovery of its acetylated derivative. The added acetyl group caps the N-terminal glycine amino group. Product documentation should confirm the complete structure, stereochemistry, terminal groups and counterion rather than relying solely on the cosmetic ingredient name.
Blocking the N-terminus removes a donor group involved in the characteristic coordination chemistry of unmodified GHK. Acetyl Tripeptide-1 therefore cannot automatically be assigned the same copper-binding properties or biological activities as GHK or its copper complex. Exploratory assays may investigate peptide persistence, cell-associated responses and extracellular-matrix markers, but each endpoint requires direct testing of the acetylated material. A defined receptor, validated signalling cascade and broadly applicable biological half-life remain insufficiently characterised.
Laboratory notes
- Confirm N-terminal acetylation and terminal-group identity by mass spectrometry supported by appropriate structural documentation.
- Measure trace copper where metal-sensitive endpoints are studied; neither copper content nor complex stoichiometry should be assumed.
- Use separate unmodified GHK and vehicle controls to distinguish acetylation-dependent effects from scaffold-associated responses.
Storage and reconstitution basics: storage guide.
Questions about Acetyl Tripeptide-1
Is Acetyl Tripeptide-1 interchangeable with GHK?
No. N-terminal acetylation changes the molecule's charge and coordination chemistry, so results obtained with free GHK cannot be transferred without verification.
Does this name indicate a copper complex?
No. Copper is not specified by the name Acetyl Tripeptide-1. Any metal complex requires independent compositional and analytical confirmation.
Has a selective receptor been established?
A selective receptor has not been convincingly established for this acetylated tripeptide. Cellular marker changes alone would not demonstrate direct receptor binding.
Is Acetyl Tripeptide-1 for human use?
No. It is supplied strictly for in-vitro laboratory research and is not for human or animal consumption.
Related research peptides
All products are sold for laboratory research use only. Not for human consumption, not a medicine, not for diagnosing, treating or preventing any condition.