MELANOTAN-1

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Melanotan 1 is a synthetic analogue of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH), the naturally occurring peptide your body cleaves from proopiomelanocortin (POMC) to regulate pigmentation. Structurally, the Melanotan 1 peptide is a 13-amino-acid chain identical to native α-MSH except at two positions — a norleucine substitution at residue 4 and a D-phenylalanine at residue 7. Those two swaps are what make the molecule useful in research: native α-MSH is broken down by enzymes within minutes, while the modified sequence resists that degradation and stays active far longer, which is why Melanotan 1 is also referred to as NDP-MSH or afamelanotide.

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Purity guarantee. If an independent assay of your lot returns below the purity stated on its certificate, we replace the order or refund it in full — no return shipment required.

Sold for laboratory research and further manufacturing use only. Not a drug, food, cosmetic, or dietary supplement. Not for human or veterinary use, and not for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes. Buyer is responsible for compliance with all applicable regulations.

Lyophilized Research Compound

Technical Overview

The Melanotan 1 peptide works by binding to melanocortin-1 receptors (MC1R) on the surface of melanocytes, the pigment-producing cells in the basal layer of the epidermis. Receptor activation raises intracellular cAMP, which signals through protein kinase A and the transcription factor MITF to upregulate tyrosinase — the rate-limiting enzyme in melanin synthesis. The result is increased melanogenesis, with production shifted toward eumelanin, the darker, more photoprotective pigment, rather than the lighter pheomelanin. Newly formed melanin is packaged into melanosomes and transferred to surrounding keratinocytes.

Purity: ≥99% by HPLC
CAS Number: 75921-69-6
Molecular Formula: C₇₈H₁₁₁N₂₁O₁₉
Molecular Weight: 1646.87 g/mol
Amino Acid Count: 13
Sequence: Ac-Ser-Tyr-Ser-Nle-Glu-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gly-Lys-Pro-Val-NH2
Synonyms: Afamelanotide; [Nle4-D-Phe7]-α-MSH
Physical Form: Lyophilized powder
Solubility: Soluble in bacteriostatic water; consult the product COA for specific solvent recommendations.
Storage: Store lyophilized at -20°C; protect from light and moisture. Reconstitute with bacteriostatic water; refrigerate reconstituted solution at 2-8°C.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Melanotan-1?

Melanotan-1 is a synthetic 13-amino acid analog of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone, also known as afamelanotide or [Nle4-D-Phe7]-alpha-MSH. It is supplied in 10mg vials as a reference compound for laboratory research only.

What is the structure of Melanotan-1?

Melanotan-1 is a linear 13-residue peptide, Ac-Ser-Tyr-Ser-Nle-Glu-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gly-Lys-Pro-Val-NH2, with the molecular formula C78H111N21O19, a molecular weight of 1646.87, and CAS number 75921-69-6.

What receptor does Melanotan-1 act on?

Melanotan-1 acts primarily at the melanocortin-1 receptor (MC1R) on melanocytes. This receptor preference is the main structural distinction between Melanotan-1 and the non-selective analogs in the same family.

How does Melanotan-1 work at the cellular level?

MC1R activation raises intracellular cAMP, signaling through protein kinase A and the transcription factor MITF to upregulate tyrosinase, the rate-limiting enzyme in melanin synthesis. Production shifts toward eumelanin, the darker and more photoprotective pigment, rather than pheomelanin.

What is the difference between Melanotan-1 and Melanotan-2?

Melanotan-1 is a linear 13-residue peptide acting primarily at MC1R. Melanotan-2 is a cyclic 7-residue peptide and a non-selective agonist across MC1R, MC3R, MC4R, and MC5R. The selectivity difference is the reason the two are studied separately rather than interchangeably.

What is afamelanotide?

Afamelanotide is the international nonproprietary name for Melanotan-1. Both names refer to the same 13-residue peptide, and the literature uses them interchangeably.

What do the Nle and D-Phe substitutions do?

Norleucine at position 4 and D-phenylalanine at position 7 replace the native residues of alpha-MSH. Both substitutions increase resistance to enzymatic degradation and improve receptor binding, which is why native alpha-MSH is rarely used directly in extended assays.

What is Melanotan-1 used for in research?

Common applications include MC1R binding and activation assays, melanogenesis and tyrosinase expression studies, cAMP signaling in melanocyte models, and receptor-selectivity comparisons across the melanocortin family.

What form is Melanotan-1 supplied in?

Melanotan-1 ships as a lyophilized powder in a sealed vial. It is soluble in bacteriostatic water; consult the certificate of analysis for the solvent recommendations that apply to your lot.

What purity is Melanotan-1 supplied at?

Purity is 99% or greater as verified by HPLC. Lot-specific results are reported on the certificate of analysis accompanying each vial, and that figure is what our purity guarantee is measured against.

How should Melanotan-1 be stored?

Store the lyophilized vial at -20 degrees Celsius, protected from light and moisture. Once reconstituted with bacteriostatic water, refrigerate the solution at 2-8 degrees Celsius and follow your laboratory's established protocols.

How is the vial shipped?

Orders leave the same business day when placed before 2pm EST, in an insulated mailer with a phase-change pack. Shipping is free on orders over $150.

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