GHK, the Human Skin Remodeling Peptide, Induces Anti-Cancer Expression of Numerous Caspase, Growth Regulatory, and DNA Repair Genes
Open accessAbstract
GHK (glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine) is a human plasma copper-binding peptide that declines during aging. Numerous studies have established many biological actions of GHK: it improves tissue regeneration, possesses anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, increases cellular stemness; increases decorin, angiogenesis, and nerve outgrowth. In recent studies, GHK was found to switch gene expression from a diseased state to a healthier state for certain cancers and for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. In studies of aggressive, metastatic human colon cancer, the Broad Institute's Connectivity Map indicated that GHK, out of 1,309 bioactive molecules studied, reversed the expression of 70% of 54 genes over-expressed genes. GHK also reactivates programmed cell death in several cultured human cancer lines. To determine GHK's potential as a cancer treatment, we analyzed the molecule's effect on the human gene expression using the Connectivity Map. GHK induces a 50% or greater change of expression in 31.2% of human genes. GHK increased gene expression in 6 of the 12 human caspase genes that activate programmed cell death. In 28 other genes, GHK altered the pattern of gene expression in a manner that would be expected to inhibit cancer growth. For DNA repair genes, there was a one-sided increase in the expression of such genes (47 UP, 5 DOWN). A previous study found that a copper peptide plus ascorbic acid inhibited Ehrlich ascites cancer in mice. Using this method with GHK-copper gave a strong suppression of Sarcoma 180 in mice. These results support the idea that GHK may help to impede or suppress cancer growth.
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GHK induces a 50% or greater change in expression in 31.2% of human genes.
“The percentage of genes stimulated or suppressed by GHK with a change greater than or equal to 50% was estimated to be 31.2% [17].”
From The Effect of the Human Peptide GHK on Gene Expression Relevant to Nervous System Function and Cognitive Decline (2017) · cites this paper as [17]
GHK upregulated expression of 10 caspase and caspase-associated genes and affected 84 genes associated with DNA repair and other processes relevant to anti-cancer effects.
“GHK upregulated the expression of 10 caspase and caspase-associated genes. It also affected 84 genes associated with DNA repair and other processes, relevant to anti-cancer effects.”
From Regenerative and Protective Actions of the GHK-Cu Peptide in the Light of the New Gene Data (2018) · cites this paper as [49]
The anti-cancer activity of GHK may be linked to its known tissue remodeling effects.
“The anti-cancer activity of GHK may be linked to its known tissue remodeling effects [49].”
From Regenerative and Protective Actions of the GHK-Cu Peptide in the Light of the New Gene Data (2018) · cites this paper as [49]
In our study, the mixture of GHK-Copper 2+ and ascorbic acid produced a 60% reduction in tumor growth in a solid sarcoma-180 mouse model.
“The mixture of GHK-Copper 2+ and ascorbic acid produced a 60% reduction in tumor growth [39].”
From Modulation of Gene Expression in Human Breast Cancer MCF7 and Prostate Cancer PC3 Cells by the Human Copper-Binding Peptide GHK-Cu (2021) · cites this paper as [39]
GHK increased or decreased gene expression by more than 50% in 32.1% of human genes.
“GHK increased or decreased gene expression (UP or DOWN more than 50%) in 32.1% of the human genes [7].”
From GHK and DNA: Resetting the human genome to health (2014) · cites this paper as [7]
GHK:Cu(2+) and ascorbic acid strongly suppressed sarcoma 180 in mice.
“In a recent paper, we used their basic method but with GHK : Cu(2+) and ascorbic acid, which strongly suppressed sarcoma 180 in mice without any evident distress to the animals [7].”
From GHK and DNA: Resetting the human genome to health (2014) · cites this paper as [7]
Our analysis found that GHK increased gene expression in 6 of the 12 human caspase genes that activate apoptosis.
“Our analysis of GHK's actions found that it increased gene expression in 6 of the 12 human caspase genes that activate apoptosis.”
From GHK and DNA: Resetting the human genome to health (2014) · cites this paper as [7]
GHK:Cu(2+) and ascorbic acid caused no evident distress to the mice.
“which strongly suppressed sarcoma 180 in mice without any evident distress to the animals [7].”
From GHK and DNA: Resetting the human genome to health (2014) · cites this paper as [7]
In DNA repair genes, GHK increased expression of 47 genes and decreased expression of 5 genes.
“In DNA repair genes there was an increase (47 UP, 5 DOWN) [7].”
From GHK and DNA: Resetting the human genome to health (2014) · cites this paper as [7]
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References 48 · Cited by 12
- Authors
- Pickart, L., Vasquez-Soltero, J. M., Pickart, F. D., & Majnarich, J.
- ORCID
- Loren Pickart
- Venue
- Journal of Analytical Oncology
- Publisher
- Neoplasia Research
- Published
- 2014-04-07
- Volume
- 3
- Issue
- 2
- ISSN
- 1927-7210 (ISSN-L)
- 1927-7229
- OpenAlex
- W2143875213
- Cited by
- 12
- References
- 48
- Citations by year
- 2026: 1 · 2023: 1 · 2021: 1 · 2019: 1 · 2018: 2 · 2017: 1 · 2016: 1 · 2015: 3 · 2014: 1
- FWCI
- 0.82
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- diamond
- doi.org
- Locations
- Journal of Analytical Oncology (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Cell death mechanisms and regulation
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Oncology › Cancer-related Molecular Pathways
- Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Chemical Synthesis and Analysis
- Keywords
- copper-binding peptides, programmed cell death, DNA repair genes, growth regulatory genes, Connectivity Map, colon cancer, sarcoma 180, anticancer peptides
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