PAL-GHK (CAS 147732-56-7), also known as Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, is a synthetic lipopeptide consisting of the copper-binding tripeptide sequence Gly-His-Lys conjugated to a palmitoyl (C16 fatty acid) chain at the N-terminus. With a molecular weight of 578.79 g/mol, PAL-GHK retains the core GHK sequence associated with extracellular matrix signalling while incorporating a lipid modification designed to alter its physicochemical characteristics including membrane affinity and cellular uptake properties. Unlike the parent GHK-Cu complex, PAL-GHK does not incorporate a coordinated copper ion in its standard commercial form. Produced via solid-phase peptide synthesis with subsequent N-terminal palmitoylation, PAL-GHK is associated with collagen synthesis and extracellular matrix remodelling pathways in preclinical dermatological research.

PAL-GHK has been investigated in preclinical dermatology and extracellular matrix research as a lipid-modified variant of the GHK signal peptide. In vitro studies have examined PAL-GHK interaction with dermal fibroblast preparations, documenting that long-chain fatty-acid (palmitoyl) conjugation of the GHK sequence increases the peptide’s skin penetration and specific activity and characterising stimulation of collagen synthesis in fibroblast culture as a readout of the lipid-conjugated tripeptide, establishing the palmitoylation strategy as the basis for using the GHK matrikine sequence as a topically applicable cosmetic peptide active [1]. Comparative research has also considered the relative activity profiles of palmitoylated versus non-palmitoylated GHK sequences, with the developer literature characterising fatty-acid conjugation as increasing the specific activity and skin penetration of the tripeptide relative to the unmodified sequence [1,2], making PAL-GHK a key reference compound in dermatological and extracellular-matrix research examining lipid-conjugated matrikine peptides and skin-penetration-modified GHK derivatives in preclinical models.

PAL-GHK is manufactured in a cGMP compliant, ISO9001 certified laboratory to a guaranteed purity of 98% or above. Every batch is independently tested using HPLC and MS-UPLC analysis before dispatch. Vials are vacuum sealed and stored in a temperature controlled, monitored cold storage system. Certificates of Analysis are available on request.

Sold strictly for in vitro research purposes only. Not for human consumption. Intended for use by qualified researchers in laboratory settings only.

Editorial Team

Dr. Martina Rossi, PhD

Scientific Contributor and Reviewer

Reviewed and approved 14 June 2026

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