MT1 (Melanotan-1 / Afamelanotide)

What Is MT1?

MT1, also known as Melanotan-1, NDP-α-MSH, or by its trade name Afamelanotide (Scenesse®), is a synthetic 13-amino-acid analog of α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH). It corresponds to the 13-residue α-MSH(1-13) sequence with two key amino acid substitutions: norleucine (Nle) at position 4 in place of methionine, and D-phenylalanine (D-Phe) at position 7 in place of L-phenylalanine.

The peptide is N-terminally acetylated and C-terminally amidated to match the post-translational modifications of native α-MSH.

These two substitutions are described in the published structure-activity literature as substantially extending the functional half-life of the peptide relative to native α-MSH and increasing binding affinity at the melanocortin-1 receptor (MC1R). In published research literature, MT1 is examined as a research tool for MC1R-selective melanocortin pharmacology, eumelanogenic signaling, and photoprotection biology in epithelial and dermatological model systems.

MT1 (Melanotan-1) in Plain Language

A non-technical overview of what MT1 is, what researchers have studied it for, what the evidence suggests, and what cannot be claimed about it. For research and educational purposes only.

At a glance

MT1 (also known as Melanotan-1 or afamelanotide) is a lab-made peptide that signals the skin to produce more melanin, the natural pigment that helps protect skin against UV light. In research, scientists study it for how it influences skin pigmentation, protection from sun damage, and related skin conditions.

A pharmaceutical version of this same molecule (sold under a different brand name) is FDA-approved for a specific rare skin condition and is manufactured and distributed entirely separately from the research chemical sold here; the two are not interchangeable. The compound sold here is a research chemical, not a pharmaceutical or therapeutic product, and is not for human or animal use.

What it is

MT1, also called Melanotan-1, NDP-α-MSH, or, as a finished pharmaceutical, afamelanotide (trade name the FDA-approved pharmaceutical formulation®), is a synthetic 13-amino-acid peptide based on the natural human peptide α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH). Two amino acids in the natural sequence have been swapped (norleucine at position 4 and D-phenylalanine at position 7).

Published structure-activity research describes these substitutions as making the molecule more chemically stable and giving it a much higher binding affinity at the melanocortin-1 receptor (MC1R), the receptor that drives skin pigmentation in melanocytes.

Afamelanotide (the pharmaceutical version of this molecule) was approved by the FDA in 2019 under the trade name the FDA-approved pharmaceutical formulation® for adults with a rare genetic disorder called erythropoietic protoporphyria (EPP). Outside that specific approved indication, MT1 is studied in research contexts only.

Research areas being investigated

• Melanocortin-1 receptor (MC1R) pharmacology research: Studied as a high-affinity MC1R agonist in cell-culture pharmacology.
• Pigmentation biology research: Examined for effects on tyrosinase, the rate-limiting enzyme in melanin synthesis, and on the cAMP / PKA / CREB signaling cascade downstream of MC1R.
• Eumelanin vs. pheomelanin research: Investigated for effects on melanocyte pathway selection between the protective brown-black eumelanin and the less photoprotective red-yellow pheomelanin.
• Photoprotection research: Studied in skin and cell models for eumelanin’s ability to absorb UV light and scavenge free radicals.
• Erythropoietic protoporphyria (EPP) research: The basis for the FDA approval; this clinical experience pertains to the finished pharmaceutical product, not research-grade material.
• DNA-repair research: Examined for MC1R-dependent effects on nucleotide excision repair after UV exposure in melanocytes.
• Receptor-selectivity research: Used to compare MC1R activity to MC3R / MC4R / MC5R in melanocortin receptor pharmacology.

What the research suggests so far

Animal / preclinical findings. MT1 is one of the most extensively characterized MC1R-selective melanocortin agonists in published pharmacology. Animal and cell-culture work has reported pigmentation responses, increases in tyrosinase activity, and a shift toward eumelanin output following sustained MC1R activation. These findings are consistent with the receptor pharmacology and downstream biology described in published melanocortin literature.

Cell / lab findings. In melanocyte cell-culture experiments, MT1 has been described as engaging Gs-coupled adenylyl cyclase, raising intracellular cAMP, and driving PKA-CREB-mediated transcription of melanogenic genes. Published research has also described MC1R / cAMP signaling as supporting nucleotide excision repair after UV exposure in melanocytes.

Human findings. The most substantial published human evidence on this molecule is the Phase III clinical research on afamelanotide (the FDA-approved pharmaceutical formulation®) in adults with erythropoietic protoporphyria, which reported increased pain-free sunlight exposure time relative to placebo and supported the 2019 FDA approval. These data are tied to a specific patient population, a specific subcutaneous implant formulation, and regulated manufacturing, they do not generalize to research-grade material, to other populations, or to other intended uses (cosmetic tanning, etc.).

BioChain USA’s product is research-use-only material, not the FDA-approved the FDA-approved pharmaceutical formulation® drug, and is not represented as equivalent to it.

Limitations of the evidence. Outside the EPP registration program, long-term safety and efficacy data are limited. Cosmetic / non-medical use of unregulated melanotan products has been the subject of public-health warnings from the FDA and from European drug regulators, citing reports of adverse events in unregulated use.

Reviewers continue to call for additional rigorous research before broader conclusions can be drawn.

Research relevance

MT1 is most often discussed in research involving MC1R pharmacology, eumelanogenesis vs. pheomelanogenesis pathway selection, tyrosinase enzymology, photoprotection biology, EPP-related clinical research, and MC1R-mediated nucleotide excision repair. Many human findings come from a specific clinical context (EPP) and a specific FDA-approved formulation; they do not, on their own, justify generalized claims about research-grade material.

What cannot be claimed about MT1 (research-grade material)

• It cannot be claimed to treat, cure, heal, or prevent any human or animal condition.
• It cannot be claimed to be equivalent to or a substitute for the FDA-approved pharmaceutical formulation® or any other FDA-approved pharmaceutical product.
• It cannot be claimed to tan skin, darken skin, or be used as a cosmetic tanning agent.
• It cannot be claimed to prevent sunburn, skin cancer, or photodamage.
• It cannot be claimed to treat erythropoietic protoporphyria or any other condition outside of regulated use of the approved drug product.
• It cannot be claimed to be safe or effective for human or veterinary use.
• It cannot be represented as a dietary supplement.

Summary

MT1 (Melanotan-1 / NDP-α-MSH) is a synthetic 13-amino-acid α-MSH analog with engineered Nle&sup4; and D-Phe&sup7; substitutions that confer high MC1R binding affinity and extended functional half-life. It is studied in research on MC1R pharmacology, melanin biosynthesis (tyrosinase, eumelanin / pheomelanin pathway selection), photoprotection biology, EPP-related research, and DNA-repair signaling in UV-exposed melanocytes. A pharmaceutical-grade version of the molecule (afamelanotide, the FDA-approved pharmaceutical formulation®) is FDA-approved for adults with erythropoietic protoporphyria; that approval applies to the finished drug product, not to research-grade chemical material.

BioChain USA’s MT1 is sold strictly as a research-use-only chemical for laboratory investigation. It is not intended for human consumption, medical use, or veterinary use.

Short version

MT1 is a synthetic α-MSH analog (Nle&sup4;, D-Phe&sup7;) used in research on the melanocortin-1 receptor and pigment biology. A pharmaceutical version of the molecule (the FDA-approved pharmaceutical formulation®) is FDA-approved for a rare photosensitivity disorder; that approval does not extend to research-grade material, which is not a drug. Sold for research and laboratory use only.

Source notes

• Dawe RS, et al. Afamelanotide in managing cutaneous phototoxicity in erythropoietic protoporphyria: a Scottish perspective. Clinical and experimental dermatology, 2025. (PubMed PMID: 40692281.)
• Dorr RT, et al. Effects of a superpotent melanotropin, [Nle&sup4;, D-Phe&sup7;]-α-MSH, on tanning and skin pigmentation in normal humans. Life Sci, 1996, small early-phase human study.
• Langendonk JG, et al. Afamelanotide for erythropoietic protoporphyria. N Engl J Med, 2015, pivotal Phase III randomized trial of afamelanotide.
• Biolcati G, et al. Long-term observational study on afamelanotide in EPP. Br J Dermatol, 2015, long-term clinical observational data on afamelanotide.
• Afamelanotide, LiverTox monograph, NCBI Bookshelf, clinical reference.
• Afamelanotide (DB04931), DrugBank monograph (regulatory and pharmacologic reference).
• Afamelanotide for prevention of phototoxicity in EPP, Expert Review of Clinical Pharmacology, 2021, review article.

Source types: entry 1 is a small early-phase human pharmacology study; entries 2, 3 are Phase III / long-term observational clinical studies of the FDA-approved pharmaceutical formulation afamelanotide; entries 4, 5, 6 are regulatory / monograph / review references. All clinical findings refer to the FDA-approved pharmaceutical formulation, not research-grade material.

SEO meta description

MT1 (Melanotan-1 / NDP-α-MSH, research-grade) is a synthetic α-MSH analog studied in research on MC1R pharmacology and melanin biology. Research-use only.

Reminder. BioChain USA sells MT1 strictly as a research-use-only chemical for qualified laboratory and educational use. It is not the FDA-approved the FDA-approved pharmaceutical formulation® drug and is not intended for human consumption, medical treatment, veterinary treatment, diagnosis, prevention, or cure of disease.

Certificate of Analysis (COA)

• COA provided where available for the specific batch shipped.
• The batch COA is the authoritative reference for analytical methods, purity data, and lot-specific testing for that shipment.
• COA information is batch-specific and is not interchangeable between lots.

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