Melanotan I 10mg – Alpha-MSH analogue from melanotropin research
Melanotan I (also known as afamelanotide) is a synthetic 13-amino acid analogue of the body's own hormone alpha-MSH (alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone). The substance was developed in the early 1980s by Victor Hruby and MacHadley at the University of Arizona, originally as a stable research tool for investigating melanotropin biology – natural alpha-MSH degrades too quickly in the body to be reliably studied under controlled conditions.
This 10mg vial is suitable for research approaches related to melanocortin receptor signaling pathways, melanogenesis and photoprotection – including the investigation of skin tanning caused by increased melanin production.
Mechanism of action
Melanotan I binds preferentially as an agonist to the melanocortin-1 receptor (MC1R) on melanocytes, thereby activating eumelanin synthesis – the dark, UV-protective skin pigment, the increased production of which manifests as tanned skin. Two targeted modifications compared to natural alpha-MSH – the replacement of methionine at position 4 with norleucine and the inversion of phenylalanine at position 7 to the D-form – confer significantly prolonged biological activity and increased resistance to enzymatic degradation to the molecule. Due to this receptor specificity, the investigated effect is largely focused on melanocyte activation.
Technical specifications
| Characteristic | Details |
|---|---|
| Product name | Melanotan I (Afamelanotide) |
| CAS number | 75921-69-6 |
| Crowd | 10mg |
| form | Lyophilized powder |
| sequence | Ac-Ser-Tyr-Ser-Nle-Glu-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gly-Lys-Pro-Val-NH2 |
| molecular formula | C₇₈H₁₁₁N₂₁O₁₉ |
| Molecular weight | 1646.85 g/mol |
| purity | ≥98.9 % (HPLC) |
| analysis | HPLC / LC-MS |
| storage | 2–8 °C |
Storage: Store at -20 °C (long-term); after reconstitution at 4 °C, use promptly. Protect from light and moisture.
Source: Sawyer TK et al., „4-Norleucine, 7-D-phenylalanine-alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone: a highly potent alpha-melanotropin with ultralong biological activity,“ Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences USA, 1980;77(10):5754-5758
Disclaimer: Not intended for human or veterinary use. For laboratory research purposes only. Not for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes.
Reconstitution: Example calculation
For a working concentration of 10 mg/ml, the 10 mg vial is reconstituted with 1 ml of sterile bacteriostatic water (BAC water). Slowly inject the water along the inside of the vial and gently swirl it instead of shaking.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Melanotan I the same as Melanotan II?
No. Melanotan I (afamelanotide) is a linear 13-amino acid peptide with pronounced MC1R selectivity, while Melanotan II is a cyclic 7-amino acid molecule with broader receptor activity – two distinct substances with different structures.
Since when has Melanotan I been researched?
The substance was first described in 1980 by Sawyer and colleagues at the University of Arizona and is therefore one of the longest studied alpha-MSH analogues in melanocortin research.
Quality assurance
Each production batch undergoes independent dual testing: HPLC analysis to determine purity and LC-MS analysis to definitively verify molecular mass and correct peptide sequence. Only after passing this test is a batch released.
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