Modulation of Gene Expression in Human Breast Cancer MCF7 and Prostate Cancer PC3 Cells by the Human Copper-Binding Peptide GHK-Cu.

Abstract

The human copper-binding peptide GHK-Cu is a naturally occurring small plasma tripeptide (glycyl-l-histidyl-l-lysine) with a high affinity for copper (2+). GHK-Cu has multiple biological effects. It is known to stimulate regeneration of skin, nervous tissue, bones, lungs and liver, protect liver from oxidative damage, restore activity of irradiated fibroblasts, reduce inflammation and increase levels of antioxidant enzymes. Recent studies established that GHK modulates activity of a number of genes. It has been shown to reverse pathological expression of 70% genes in a gene signature for metastasis-prone colon cancer and shift gene expression in COPD lungs from destruction to healthy remodeling. In this paper, we present GHK-Cu’s gene effects on MCF7 breast cancer cells and PC3 prostate cancer cells and review laboratory evidence supporting GHK’s ability to restore tissue integrity and health via multiple mechanisms, which can be beneficial for cancer treatment.