MT1
MT1
Melanotan 1 (Afamelanotide / MT-1) | 10 mg
Manufactured by BioChain USA · United States of America
For research use only. Not for human or animal consumption. This compound is sold exclusively for in vitro research, laboratory, and analytical purposes by BioChain USA. It is not a drug, supplement, or therapeutic product of any kind.
What Is Melanotan 1?
Melanotan 1 (also known in the literature as afamelanotide and referenced as MT-1) is a synthetic 13-amino acid peptide analogue of alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone (α-MSH). It is commonly used in research to study melanocortin receptor signaling, melanogenesis pathways, and photobiology-related mechanisms in experimental systems.
Chemical Reference Data
| Molecular Formula | C78H111N21O19 |
|---|---|
| Molecular Weight | 1,646.87 g/mol |
| Peptide Length | 13 amino acids |
| Structural Classification | Synthetic α-MSH analogue with two amino acid substitutions |
| CAS Number | 75921-69-6 |
Structural Design and Engineering
Melanotan 1 is a lab-synthesized analogue of endogenous α-MSH. It matches α-MSH in length at 13 amino acids, but incorporates two key amino acid substitutions at specific positions in the sequence. Published literature describes these modifications as influencing receptor affinity at melanocortin receptors and extending functional persistence in experimental systems compared to the endogenous hormone.
In peptide chemistry terms, these substitutions are discussed as altering the conformational and binding characteristics of the peptide in ways that make it a useful probe for studying melanocortin receptor dynamics in controlled research settings.
BioChain USA does not make medical claims. Research context does not equal clinical outcome data.
Research Applications
Melanotan 1 is used as a research tool to investigate:
- Melanocortin receptor agonism — particularly MC1R, the receptor most directly associated with melanocyte signaling and melanin production
- Eumelanin-related pathways — melanin biosynthesis and the signaling cascades that drive eumelanin production in melanocyte cell models
- Pigmentation signaling mechanics — second-messenger pathways (cAMP-related) and downstream transcriptional programs regulating pigmentation enzymes
- UV-response biology — protective-response mechanisms and cellular repair processes associated with UV exposure in model systems
- Inflammation-related signaling models — anti-inflammatory pathway investigation in preclinical contexts based on α-MSH analogue literature
Specific applications depend on the researcher's study design, cell model, and assay framework.
Key Research Themes in the Literature
1. The Melanocortin Receptor System (MC1R–MC5R)
Melanotan 1 is commonly described in the literature as interacting with melanocortin receptors. The melanocortin receptor family comprises five known subtypes, each with distinct physiological associations discussed in research:
- MC1R: most directly linked to melanocytes and pigmentation signaling — the primary receptor of interest for Melanotan 1 research
- MC2R: discussed in adrenal physiology and cortisol-related pathway contexts
- MC3R: examined in energy balance and appetite regulation research
- MC4R: studied in central nervous system energy balance and behavioral signaling models
- MC5R: broadly expressed, with functions still being actively characterized in published research
Melanotan 1 is frequently positioned in published literature as having primary relevance to MC1R signaling.
2. MC1R Signaling and Melanogenesis Mechanics
Published summaries describe MC1R activation as elevating intracellular second-messenger signaling (commonly cAMP-mediated), which influences downstream transcriptional programs regulating enzymes involved in eumelanin biosynthesis.
Additional research contexts discuss MC1R signaling in relation to UV-response processes, including cellular repair mechanisms associated with UV-induced DNA lesions. These are framed as mechanistic research observations and may vary significantly depending on MC1R genetic variants present in experimental systems.
3. Inflammation-Related Research Models
α-MSH and synthetic analogues including Melanotan 1 are described in preclinical literature in the context of anti-inflammatory signaling investigation. Research themes include fibrosis-related and inflammatory gene-expression modulation in animal models, with pathways connected to extracellular matrix remodeling and markers associated with inflammatory response and fibrogenesis. These are preclinical study contexts only.
BioChain USA does not represent preclinical findings as consumer outcomes.
4. Clinical Study Literature Context
Melanotan 1 has appeared in clinical trial literature within two primary research contexts. These are cited as literature themes only — not as product claims or use instructions:
- Erythropoietic protoporphyria (EPP) trial framing: published studies tracked metrics such as time in direct sunlight and pain perception outcomes in peptide versus placebo group structures over multi-month monitoring periods
- UV radiation and tanning-response framing: early-phase human studies evaluated Melanotan 1 in combination with UV-B or sunlight exposure, with reported outcomes described as pigmentation and tanning gradation measures
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. Analytical documentation may include HPLC and mass spectrometry data where available.
Storage and Handling
General peptide handling guidance for research use:
- Store in a cool, dry, dark environment.
- Protect from light — lyophilized peptides can degrade under UV exposure.
- Follow standard peptide handling protocols to minimize moisture exposure.
- Avoid repeated open-close cycles that introduce humidity to the lyophilized material.
BioChain USA does not provide instructions for human or animal administration.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this product for human use?
No. Melanotan 1 is not approved or intended for human or veterinary use. It is sold exclusively for in vitro research, laboratory, and analytical purposes. It is not a drug, supplement, or therapeutic product of any kind.
What is Melanotan 1 used for in research?
Common research applications include melanocortin receptor signaling studies (particularly MC1R), melanogenesis pathway investigation, eumelanin biosynthesis research, UV-response biology, and preclinical anti-inflammatory signaling models. Specific applications depend on the researcher's study design and objectives.
Do you provide dosing instructions or administration protocols?
No. BioChain USA does not provide dosing guidance, administration instructions, or protocols for human or animal use. Researchers are responsible for designing in vitro study protocols appropriate to their applications and institutional requirements.
Do you provide a Certificate of Analysis (COA)?
Yes, where available. COAs are batch-specific documents reflecting the analytical testing and purity data for that particular lot. The COA included with your order is the authoritative reference for that batch. Availability may vary by lot.
Compliance and Disclaimers
- Sold for research, laboratory, or analytical purposes only.
- Not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or condition.
- Not for human or animal consumption.
- Purchaser assumes full responsibility for compliance with all applicable local, state, and federal regulations governing the purchase and use of research compounds.