Melanotan I, Afamelanotide, MT-I, NDP-MSH, [Nle4,D-Phe7]-α-MSH/non-selective MCR agonist, stimulates melanogenesis, photoprotection research

Description

This product is a synthetic peptide designated as Melanotan I (also known as MT-I and afamelanotide), with CAS No. 75921-69-6. It is a synthetic analogue of naturally occurring alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH) in the human body. The molecular formula of the product is C₇₈H₁₁₁N₂₁O₁₉, with a molecular weight of approximately 1646.85. It normally appears as a white to off-white powder or solid, and its purity can reach over 98% as determined by HPLC. Compared with natural hormones, this product has undergone specific molecular structure optimization, featuring better stability and a longer duration of action in vivo. As a peptide intermediate for pharmaceutical research and development, it is mainly supplied to drug research institutions, research institutes and biotechnology companies. It is recommended to store it under low temperature, away from light and in a sealed condition to guarantee stable quality within the shelf life.

Key Effects

The mechanism of action of this product is similar to that of naturally occurring α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone in the human body. Simply put, there is a type of cell in human skin responsible for producing melanin. Melanin is the main substance that determines skin color and also serves as a natural barrier for the skin against ultraviolet damage. Melanotan I can mimic the effects of natural hormones, bind to corresponding receptors on skin melanocytes, and prompt cells to accelerate melanin production, thereby darkening the skin and improving the skin's tolerance to light. With optimized structure, it has better stability and longer-lasting effects than natural hormones, so it is widely used in relevant research.

Its specific functions can be summarized as follows:
Promote melanin production: Stimulate skin melanocytes to produce more melanin and darken skin tone;
Mimic the effect of natural hormones: Acts in the same way as the body's own α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone, with better stability and longer-lasting effects;
Improve skin phototolerance: Help the skin better resist light stimuli such as ultraviolet rays by increasing melanin content;
Support research on related signaling pathways: Can be used as a tool molecule to study physiological mechanisms related to pigment production and skin protection;
Reference substance for drug research and development: Used as a reference standard or development reference for similar peptide drugs that have entered clinical applications, for new drug screening and evaluation.

Applications

This product is mainly applied in the field of biomedical research, especially in the research directions of skin pigment-related disorders and photosensitive diseases. With its characteristic effect of promoting melanin production, this peptide has become an important research subject in the fields of dermatology and drug development. Its analogous drugs have been approved in some countries and regions for the treatment of specific photosensitive diseases, so it is also frequently used in control studies and process development of related drugs.

The main application areas can be summarized as follows:
Study on the mechanism of skin pigmentation: Used to investigate the regulatory mechanism of melanin synthesis and related physiological processes;
Drug research and development for photosensitive diseases: Used for the research and development of therapeutic drugs for photosensitive diseases such as erythropoietic protoporphyria;
Skin photoprotection research: Used to explore how to improve the skin's tolerance to ultraviolet rays by increasing melanin;
Development of peptide drugs: Served as a lead compound or reference standard for the screening, quality research and process development of peptide drugs;
Supply of scientific research reagents: Provided as experimental materials for life science research to universities, research institutes and pharmaceutical laboratories.