MT-1 (Melanotan I / Afamelanotide) (Research Overview)
MT-1 (Melanotan I), also known as Afamelanotide, is a linear synthetic analog of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH). It was developed as a more stable, longer-acting variant of the endogenous peptide and has been studied extensively for its interactions with melanocortin receptors, particularly MC1R.
Mechanism of Action
MT-1 is a full agonist at the melanocortin 1 receptor (MC1R), which is expressed on melanocytes and plays a central role in regulating eumelanin synthesis. Binding of MT-1 to MC1R activates adenylyl cyclase via Gs protein coupling, increasing intracellular cAMP and triggering the MITF transcription factor pathway that upregulates tyrosinase and other melanogenic enzymes.
Unlike its cyclic analog MT-2, MT-1 has a linear structure that confers greater receptor selectivity for MC1R over MC3R and MC4R. This selectivity profile has made it a preferred research tool for studying melanocortin receptor pharmacology without the confounding effects of MC4R activation.
Research Areas
Pigmentation and photoprotection: The most extensively studied application of MT-1 involves its ability to stimulate melanogenesis in melanocyte cell culture and animal models. Research has examined its potential to increase photoprotective eumelanin production, with clinical studies in erythropoietic protoporphyria (EPP) leading to regulatory approval of afamelanotide (Scenesse) in Europe and the US for this indication.
Melanocortin receptor pharmacology: MT-1 is widely used as a reference agonist in MC1R binding assays and functional studies. Its well-characterized receptor profile makes it a standard tool for evaluating novel melanocortin ligands and understanding receptor structure-activity relationships.
Anti-inflammatory models: MC1R activation has been associated with anti-inflammatory signaling in preclinical models. Research has explored MT-1's effects on cytokine production and inflammatory cell function, consistent with the broader immunomodulatory role of the melanocortin system.
Specification summary
MT-1 10mg
Stated purity ≥99%. For laboratory research use only.
Related materials
References
- Sawyer TK, Sanfilippo PJ, Hruby VJ, Engel MH, Heward CB, Burnett JB, et al. 4-Norleucine, 7-D-phenylalanine-alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone: a highly potent alpha-melanotropin with ultralong biological activity. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 1980;77(10):5754-8. PMID 6777774 · DOI
- Langendonk JG, Balwani M, Anderson KE, Bonkovsky HL, Anstey AV, Bissell DM, et al. Afamelanotide for Erythropoietic Protoporphyria. N Engl J Med. 2015;373(1):48-59. PMID 26132941 · DOI
- Kim ES, Garnock-Jones KP. Afamelanotide: A Review in Erythropoietic Protoporphyria. Am J Clin Dermatol. 2016;17(2):179-85. PMID 26979527 · DOI
- Abdel-Malek Z, Suzuki I, Tada A, Im S, Akcali C. The melanocortin-1 receptor and human pigmentation. Ann N Y Acad Sci. 1999;885:117-33. PMID 10816645 · DOI
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For laboratory research use only. Not for human or veterinary use. Not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.