Melanotan I

Melanotan I Overview

Melanotan I, also known as afamelanotide or NDP-α-MSH, is an α-MSH analogue studied in research involving melanocortin signaling. In laboratory settings, it is used to examine how melanocortin receptor activity affects pigment-related cellular responses and broader melanocortin pathway biology.

Mechanism of Action & Applications

Melanotan I is studied for agonist activity at melanocortin receptors, with predominant activity described at MC1R. In research models, this makes it useful for examining melanogenesis-related signaling, receptor pharmacology, redox-associated melanocortin biology, and broader peptide-receptor interactions within the melanocortin system.

Research History

Melanotan I emerged from efforts to develop stable α-MSH analogues with longer-lasting melanocortin receptor activity than native hormone signaling. Earlier published work in the 1990s examined Melanotan I in biologic systems, and later development continued under the name afamelanotide.

Chemical Information

CAS Number: 75921-69-6
Molecular Formula: C₇₈H₁₁₁N₂₁O₁₉
Molecular Weight: 1646.85 g/mol
PubChem ID: 16197727
Purity: ≥99%