Melanotan 1 | Research Use Only

What it is

Melanotan 1, also known as afamelanotide or NDP-α-MSH, is a synthetic analog of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH). In the scientific literature, it is described as a melanocortin receptor agonist, especially at MC1R, and is widely used in pigmentation and melanocortin-signaling research.

Origins and scientific context

Melanotan 1 was developed as a modified α-MSH analog to improve stability and biologic activity compared with the native hormone. Research reviews describe it as [Nle4, D-Phe7]-α-MSH, a longer-lasting and more potent analog than natural α-MSH, and note that the compound later became widely known under the international nonproprietary name afamelanotide.

Molecular profile

PubChem lists Melanotan-I with the molecular formula C78H111N21O19 and a molecular weight of approximately 1646.8 g/mol. PubChem also lists Melanotan-1 acetate / afamelanotide acetate separately, reflecting acetate salt forms used in product and formulation contexts.

Scientific overview

In simplified terms, Melanotan 1 is used in research to study melanocortin receptor signaling, melanogenesis, and broader melanocortin-mediated cellular responses. Reviews describe afamelanotide as a potent melanocortin agonist with improved pharmacokinetics versus native α-MSH, making it useful in receptor pharmacology and pigmentation-pathway research.

What researchers study with Melanotan 1

Key research focus areas often include
• MC1R and broader melanocortin receptor signaling
• Melanogenesis and pigmentation-pathway models
• Comparative studies of α-MSH analogs and melanocortin agonists
• Photobiology and melanocortin-mediated cellular response research

Regulatory and compliance notice

Research Use Only. Not for human or veterinary use. This description is provided for scientific context and must not be used to market Melanotan 1 for diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment, or prevention of disease.

Citations and references

PubChem compound entry for Afamelanotide, includes molecular formula and compound information.

PubChem compound entry for Melanotan-I, includes molecular formula and molecular weight.

Mun et al. Melanocortin 1 Receptor (MC1R), review noting that afamelanotide is well known as the international nonproprietary name of melanotan I.

Ericson et al. Bench-Top to Clinical Therapies: A Review of Melanocortin Ligands from Nonclinical Studies to Clinical Development, review covering afamelanotide development and melanocortin research context.

Gong. Leveraging melanocortin pathways to treat glomerular diseases, review describing afamelanotide or Melanotan I as a potent, longer-lasting synthetic α-MSH analogue.

Zhang et al. Structural insights into ligand recognition and activation of the melanocortin-1 receptor, paper describing afamelanotide as Melanotan-I and listing its modified α-MSH sequence.