Skin & Regenerative Research Compounds

Skin & regenerative research compounds are reference materials studied in preclinical models of dermal remodelling, connective-tissue signalling and melanocortin-receptor biology. This category groups the copper peptides GHK-Cu and AHK-Cu — the primary focus here — alongside the melanocortin-system peptides Melanotan I, Melanotan II and PT-141, so researchers can compare mechanism, format and documentation in one place. Every item is supplied strictly as Research Use Only (RUO) material with a batch Certificate of Analysis; nothing here is intended for human or veterinary use.
Mechanisms investigated
The compounds in this category act through two distinct pathways and are not interchangeable:

Copper peptides (GHK-Cu, AHK-Cu): naturally derived copper-binding tripeptides studied for dermal matrix remodelling, collagen and glycosaminoglycan signalling, and wound-model tissue response. AHK-Cu is a structural analogue of GHK-Cu investigated in parallel copper-transport and matrix-signalling models.
Melanocortin-receptor peptides (Melanotan I / Afamelanotide, Melanotan II, PT-141 / Bremelanotide): synthetic analogues of alpha-MSH studied for their activity at melanocortin receptors (MC1R, MC4R and related subtypes) in models of pigmentation biology and central melanocortin signalling. Research here concerns receptor pharmacology and signalling pathways, not cosmetic or behavioural outcomes.

Comparison
CompoundClassPathway / targetResearch focusFormat
GHK-CuCopper tripeptideCopper-binding / matrix signallingDermal & connective-tissue remodellingVial
GHK-Cu CapsulesCopper tripeptideCopper-binding / matrix signallingOral-route dermal researchCapsules
AHK-CuCopper tripeptide (GHK-Cu analogue)Copper-binding / matrix signallingComparative copper-peptide researchVial
AHK-Cu CapsulesCopper tripeptide (GHK-Cu analogue)Copper-binding / matrix signallingOral-route comparative researchCapsules
Melanotan I (Afamelanotide)Melanocortin peptide (alpha-MSH analogue)MC1RPigmentation-biology & receptor researchVial
Melanotan IIMelanocortin peptide (alpha-MSH analogue)MC1R / MC3R / MC4RMelanocortin-receptor signalling researchVial
PT-141 (Bremelanotide)Melanocortin peptideMC4RCentral melanocortin-pathway researchVial

Comparison

What is the difference between GHK-Cu and AHK-Cu in research settings?

GHK-Cu is a naturally derived copper-binding tripeptide studied for dermal matrix remodelling and collagen signalling. AHK-Cu is a structural analogue investigated for comparable copper-transport activity. See our GHK-Cu vs AHK-Cu comparison for the mechanistic detail.

Are Melanotan I and Melanotan II the same compound?

No. Melanotan I (afamelanotide) and Melanotan II are distinct alpha-MSH analogues studied for different melanocortin-receptor selectivity — Melanotan I is more MC1R-selective, while Melanotan II engages a broader set of receptor subtypes including MC3R and MC4R. Our Melanotan I vs Melanotan II article compares the receptor pharmacology referenced in the literature.

What receptor pathway does PT-141 (Bremelanotide) research target?

PT-141 is studied as a melanocortin peptide with activity at MC4R, part of the broader melanocortin-receptor family also investigated through Melanotan I and II. Our melanocortins overview traces the receptor pharmacology from Vyleesi (bremelanotide) through the Melanotan analogues.

Why is copper relevant to GHK-Cu and AHK-Cu research?

Both peptides are studied as copper-binding tripeptides; the copper coordination is central to the matrix-signalling and cellular-response pathways under investigation. Our GHK-Cu research guide details the copper-binding chemistry referenced in the primary literature.

Do GHK-Cu and AHK-Cu ship in both vial and capsule format with a COA?

Yes. Both copper peptides are available as vials or capsules, and every batch — regardless of format — ships as Research Use Only material with a batch-specific Certificate of Analysis covering identity and purity by HPLC and mass spectrometry.