Melanotan 1

Melanotan 1 (afamelanotide; [Nle4, D-Phe7]-α-MSH, also known as NDP-MSH) is a synthetic, linear 13-amino-acid analogue of α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH). Norleucine replaces methionine at position 4 and D-phenylalanine replaces L-phenylalanine at position 7. Like native α-MSH, the peptide is N-terminally acetylated and C-terminally amidated.

In the original characterisation, these substitutions markedly increased potency and prolonged biological activity relative to α-MSH in frog-skin melanophore and melanoma adenylate cyclase assays, and conferred resistance to degradation by serum enzymes. Afamelanotide is a non-selective melanocortin receptor agonist with high affinity for MC1R. Its radioiodinated form is widely used as a reference ligand in melanocortin receptor binding studies. Research applications include MC1R–cAMP signalling, melanogenesis and eumelanin synthesis in melanocyte and melanoma cell models, melanocortin receptor structure–activity relationships, and toxicology studies in rodents.

Supplied as a lyophilized powder in a sealed vial.

For laboratory research use only. Not for human or veterinary use.