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Study · Animal study (in vivo) · zebrafish · 2020

8 results

Expression and Purification of Recombinant GHK Tripeptides Are Able to Protect against Acute Cardiotoxicity from Exposure to Waterborne-Copper in Zebrafish.

Hsiao CD, Wu HH, Malhotra N, Liu YC, Wu YH, Lin YN, Saputra F, Santoso F, Chen KH

Biomolecules19 Aug 2020Cited by 15 (Europe PMC)

PMID32825031 (opens in a new tab)PMCIDPMC7564529 (opens in a new tab)DOI10.3390/biom10091202 (opens in a new tab)PepBankPUB-32825031
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Summary

In this study, an alternative method is developed to replace chemical synthesis to produce glycyl-histidyl-lysine (GHK) tripeptides with a bacterial fermentation system. The target GHK tripeptides are cloned into expression plasmids carrying histidine-glutathione-S-transferase (GST) double tags and TEV (tobacco etch virus) cleavage sites at the N-terminus. After overexpression in Escherichia coli (E. coli) BL21 cells, the recombinant proteins are purified and recovered by high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC). UV-vis absorption spectroscopy was used to investigate the chemical and biological properties of the recombinant GHK tripeptides. The results demonstrated that one recombinant GHK tripeptide can bind one copper ion to form a GHK-Cu complex with high affinity, and the recombinant GHK peptide to copper ion ratio is 1:1. X-ray absorption near-edge spectroscopy (XANES) of the copper ions indicated that the oxidation state of copper in the recombinant GHK-Cu complexes here was Cu(II). All of the optical spectrum evidence suggests that the recombinant GHK tripeptide appears to possess the same biophysical and biochemical features as the GHK tripeptide isolated from human plasma. Due to the high binding affinity of GHK tripeptides to copper ions, we used zebrafish as an in vivo model to elucidate whether recombinant GHK tripeptides possess detoxification potential against the cardiotoxicity raised by waterborne Cu(II) exposure. Here, exposure to Cu(II) induced bradycardia and heartbeat irregularity in zebrafish larvae; however, the administration of GHK tripeptides could rescue those experiencing cardiotoxicity, even at the lowest concentration of 1 nM, where the GHK-Cu complex minimized CuSO4-induced cardiotoxicity effects at a GHK:Cu ratio of 1:10. On the other hand, copper and the combination with the GHK tripeptide did not significantly alter other cardiovascular parameters, including stroke volume, ejection fraction, and fractional shortening. Meanwhile, the heart rate and cardiac output were boosted after exposure with 1 nM of GHK peptides. In this study, recombinant GHK tripeptide expression was performed, along with purification and chemical property characterization, which revealed a potent cardiotoxicity protection function in vivo with zebrafish for the first time.
CC BYText from Europe PMC. Highlighted sentences are the source of results.

Results from this study8

6 results from studies that gave the peptide. No result from this study comes from people.

  1. 01AnimalAnimal study (in vivo)Efficacy outcome

    In zebrafish larvae exposed to Cu(II), recombinant GHK tripeptides rescued bradycardia and heartbeat irregularity, even at 1 nM.

    In plain wordsIn zebrafish larvae exposed to copper, GHK reduced heart rhythm problems, even at the lowest concentration of 1 nM.

    Peptide
    GHK-Cu
    Outcome
    DecreaseCu(II)-induced cardiotoxicity (bradycardia and heartbeat irregularity)
    Study

    zebrafishn: not reported in source

    Zebrafish larvae with waterborne Cu(II) exposure
    Outcome group
    Heart function · Cardiovascular
    Studied dose
    1 nMAs given in this study (zebrafish).

    Source sentences

    Summary
    the administration of GHK tripeptides could rescue those experiencing cardiotoxicity, even at the lowest concentration of 1 nM, where the GHK-Cu complex minimized CuSO4-induced cardiotoxicity effects at a GHK:Cu ratio of 1:10
    1 context sentence
    Summary · context
    Due to the high binding affinity of GHK tripeptides to copper ions, we used zebrafish as an in vivo model to elucidate whether recombinant GHK tripeptides possess detoxification potential against the cardiotoxicity raised by waterborne Cu(II) exposure.
  2. 02AnimalAnimal study (in vivo)Efficacy outcome

    In zebrafish larvae, copper and its combination with GHK tripeptide did not significantly alter stroke volume.

    In plain wordsIn zebrafish larvae, copper with GHK did not significantly change stroke volume.

    Peptide
    GHK-Cu
    Outcome
    No significant changeStroke volume
    Study

    zebrafishn: not reported in source

    Zebrafish larvae with waterborne Cu(II) exposure
    Outcome group
    Heart function · Cardiovascular
    Studied dose
    Dose not stated

    Source sentences

    Summary
    On the other hand, copper and the combination with the GHK tripeptide did not significantly alter other cardiovascular parameters, including stroke volume, ejection fraction, and fractional shortening.
    1 context sentence
    Summary · context
    Due to the high binding affinity of GHK tripeptides to copper ions, we used zebrafish as an in vivo model to elucidate whether recombinant GHK tripeptides possess detoxification potential against the cardiotoxicity raised by waterborne Cu(II) exposure.
  3. 03AnimalAnimal study (in vivo)Efficacy outcome

    In zebrafish larvae, copper and its combination with GHK tripeptide did not significantly alter ejection fraction.

    In plain wordsIn zebrafish larvae, copper with GHK did not significantly change ejection fraction.

    Peptide
    GHK-Cu
    Outcome
    No significant changeEjection fraction
    Study

    zebrafishn: not reported in source

    Zebrafish larvae with waterborne Cu(II) exposure
    Outcome group
    Heart function · Cardiovascular
    Studied dose
    Dose not stated

    Source sentences

    Summary
    On the other hand, copper and the combination with the GHK tripeptide did not significantly alter other cardiovascular parameters, including stroke volume, ejection fraction, and fractional shortening.
    1 context sentence
    Summary · context
    Due to the high binding affinity of GHK tripeptides to copper ions, we used zebrafish as an in vivo model to elucidate whether recombinant GHK tripeptides possess detoxification potential against the cardiotoxicity raised by waterborne Cu(II) exposure.
  4. 04AnimalAnimal study (in vivo)Efficacy outcome

    In zebrafish larvae, copper and its combination with GHK tripeptide did not significantly alter fractional shortening.

    In plain wordsIn zebrafish larvae, copper with GHK did not significantly change fractional shortening.

    Peptide
    GHK-Cu
    Outcome
    No significant changeFractional shortening
    Study

    zebrafishn: not reported in source

    Zebrafish larvae with waterborne Cu(II) exposure
    Outcome group
    Heart function · Cardiovascular
    Studied dose
    Dose not stated

    Source sentences

    Summary
    On the other hand, copper and the combination with the GHK tripeptide did not significantly alter other cardiovascular parameters, including stroke volume, ejection fraction, and fractional shortening.
    1 context sentence
    Summary · context
    Due to the high binding affinity of GHK tripeptides to copper ions, we used zebrafish as an in vivo model to elucidate whether recombinant GHK tripeptides possess detoxification potential against the cardiotoxicity raised by waterborne Cu(II) exposure.
  5. 05AnimalAnimal study (in vivo)Efficacy outcome

    In zebrafish larvae, heart rate was boosted after exposure to 1 nM of GHK peptides.

    In plain wordsIn zebrafish larvae, 1 nM of GHK raised the heart rate.

    Peptide
    GHK-Cu
    Outcome
    IncreaseHeart rate
    Study

    zebrafishn: not reported in source

    Zebrafish larvae with waterborne Cu(II) exposure
    Outcome group
    Heart function · Cardiovascular
    Studied dose
    1 nMAs given in this study (zebrafish).

    Source sentences

    Summary
    the heart rate and cardiac output were boosted after exposure with 1 nM of GHK peptides
    1 context sentence
    Summary · context
    Due to the high binding affinity of GHK tripeptides to copper ions, we used zebrafish as an in vivo model to elucidate whether recombinant GHK tripeptides possess detoxification potential against the cardiotoxicity raised by waterborne Cu(II) exposure.
  6. 06AnimalAnimal study (in vivo)Efficacy outcome

    In zebrafish larvae, cardiac output was boosted after exposure to 1 nM of GHK peptides.

    In plain wordsIn zebrafish larvae, 1 nM of GHK raised cardiac output.

    Peptide
    GHK-Cu
    Outcome
    IncreaseCardiac output
    Study

    zebrafishn: not reported in source

    Zebrafish larvae with waterborne Cu(II) exposure
    Outcome group
    Heart function · Cardiovascular
    Studied dose
    1 nMAs given in this study (zebrafish).

    Source sentences

    Summary
    the heart rate and cardiac output were boosted after exposure with 1 nM of GHK peptides
    1 context sentence
    Summary · context
    Due to the high binding affinity of GHK tripeptides to copper ions, we used zebrafish as an in vivo model to elucidate whether recombinant GHK tripeptides possess detoxification potential against the cardiotoxicity raised by waterborne Cu(II) exposure.

Studies that did not test the peptide alone2

In this study, GHK-Cu was a lab tool or a carrier, part of a mix, or the subject of a lab method. These results are not evidence about taking GHK-Cu.

  1. 07LabNot a test of GHK-Cu aloneIn vitro (cell-free)Activity measurement

    One recombinant GHK tripeptide can bind one copper ion to form a GHK‑Cu complex with high affinity, at a peptide to copper ratio of 1:1.

    In plain wordsIn lab tests, one recombinant GHK peptide bound one copper ion tightly.

    Peptide
    GHK-Cu
    Outcome
    Not applicableCopper binding of recombinant GHK
    Study

    n: not reported in source

    Outcome group
    Receptor activity and mechanism · Pharmacology

    Source sentences

    Summary
    one recombinant GHK tripeptide can bind one copper ion to form a GHK-Cu complex with high affinity, and the recombinant GHK peptide to copper ion ratio is 1:1

    In this study, GHK-Cu was a lab tool or a carrier, part of a mix, or the subject of a lab method. This result is not evidence about taking GHK-Cu.

  2. 08LabNot a test of GHK-Cu aloneIn vitro (cell-free)Activity measurement

    XANES showed that copper in the recombinant GHK‑Cu complexes was in the Cu(II) oxidation state.

    In plain wordsIn lab tests, copper in the recombinant GHK‑Cu complex was in the Cu(II) form.

    Peptide
    GHK-Cu
    Outcome
    Not applicableCopper oxidation state in recombinant GHK-Cu
    Study

    n: not reported in source

    Outcome group
    Receptor activity and mechanism · Pharmacology

    Source sentences

    Summary
    X-ray absorption near-edge spectroscopy (XANES) of the copper ions indicated that the oxidation state of copper in the recombinant GHK-Cu complexes here was Cu(II).

    In this study, GHK-Cu was a lab tool or a carrier, part of a mix, or the subject of a lab method. This result is not evidence about taking GHK-Cu.

AI wrote and checked these results. AI can make mistakes, so check important results against the source.

Version history

PepBank keeps every version of the data on this study. Status changes from Retraction Watch, Europe PMC and Crossref are listed with their source.

  1. Version 3Current

    9 Oct 2026, 18:17 UTC

    Study results updated

  2. Version 2

    9 Oct 2026, 03:03 UTC

    Study data updated · source update from Europe PMC

  3. Version 1

    9 Oct 2026, 02:56 UTC

    First added · source update from Europe PMC

Subjects

Terms as the source lists them.

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