GHK-Cu · research summary

The Laccase-like Property of GHK-Cu and Its Applications in Colorimetric Sensing of Phenolic Compounds.

Biosensors · 2026. Summary drawn from the study's full text. Each statement is followed by the exact sentence it comes from. This is a research summary, not medical advice.

Study type

Experimental study on the laccase-like activity of copper peptide (GHK-Cu) and development of colorimetric detection methods for phenolic compounds.
“In this study, the laccase-like property of copper peptide (GHK-Cu) has been revealed.”

Subjects

Copper peptide (GHK-Cu), natural laccase, and phenolic compounds including epinephrine (EP) and 2-aminophenol (2-AP).
“In this study, GHK-Cu was discovered for the first time to possess significant laccase-like activity, which can catalyze the oxidation of phenolic compounds through an electron transfer system based on the Cu(II)/Cu(I) redox cycle.”

Duration

Storage stability was evaluated over 15 days, and individual catalytic reactions were conducted for 12 minutes.
“As shown in Figure 4H, after 15 days of storage at 4 °C, GHK-Cu retained 90.7% of its relative activity, indicating that GHK-Cu can maintain its laccase-like activity over an extended period, demonstrating good storage stability.”

Reported findings

GHK-Cu exhibits laccase-like activity with a Vmax of 1.735 × 10−4 mM·s−1 and a Km of 0.061 mM, showing higher catalytic efficiency than natural laccase.
“In terms of enzymatic reaction kinetics, GHK-Cu has a Vmax of 1.735 × 10−4 mM·s−1 and a Km of 0.061 mM, demonstrating good substrate affinity and excellent catalytic efficiency.”
A colorimetric method was developed for detecting epinephrine (EP) with a linear range of 20–240 μM and a limit of detection of 9.5 μM.
“The linear response range of EP is 20–240 μM, with a limit of detection (LOD) of 9.5 μM.”
A cotton-based sensor integrated with a smartphone platform was developed for the detection of 2-aminophenol (2-AP) in seawater with a limit of detection of 0.033 mM.
“In addition, combined with a smartphone platform, a cotton-based sensor has been developed for the detection of 2-AP in seawater.”

Limitations stated by the authors

The catalytic activity of GHK-Cu is significantly reduced in the presence of zinc and lead ions, and by serum proteins such as HSA and BSA.
“When Zn2+ or Pb2+ are present in the reaction solution, the relative activity of GHK-Cu significantly decreases (by 11.7% and 41.0%, respectively).”

Source: PubMed 42041438 · DOI 10.3390/bios16040217 · all study summaries

Subjects

Copper peptide (GHK-Cu), natural laccase, and phenolic compounds including epinephrine (EP) and 2-aminophenol (2-AP).

“In this study, GHK-Cu was discovered for the first time to possess significant laccase-like activity, which can catalyze the oxidation of phenolic compounds through an electron transfer system based on the Cu(II)/Cu(I) redox cycle.”

Duration

Storage stability was evaluated over 15 days, and individual catalytic reactions were conducted for 12 minutes.

“As shown in Figure 4H, after 15 days of storage at 4 °C, GHK-Cu retained 90.7% of its relative activity, indicating that GHK-Cu can maintain its laccase-like activity over an extended period, demonstrating good storage stability.”

Reported findings

GHK-Cu exhibits laccase-like activity with a Vmax of 1.735 × 10−4 mM·s−1 and a Km of 0.061 mM, showing higher catalytic efficiency than natural laccase.

“In terms of enzymatic reaction kinetics, GHK-Cu has a Vmax of 1.735 × 10−4 mM·s−1 and a Km of 0.061 mM, demonstrating good substrate affinity and excellent catalytic efficiency.”

A colorimetric method was developed for detecting epinephrine (EP) with a linear range of 20–240 μM and a limit of detection of 9.5 μM.

“The linear response range of EP is 20–240 μM, with a limit of detection (LOD) of 9.5 μM.”

A cotton-based sensor integrated with a smartphone platform was developed for the detection of 2-aminophenol (2-AP) in seawater with a limit of detection of 0.033 mM.

“In addition, combined with a smartphone platform, a cotton-based sensor has been developed for the detection of 2-AP in seawater.”