Melanotan 1 (MT-1)

Product research information

Melanotan 1 (MT-1), also known in scientific literature as afamelanotide, possesses the molecular formula C₇₈H₁₁₁N₂₁O₁₉. It is structurally comprised of a linear chain of 13 amino acids. Unlike the cyclic structure of Melanotan 2 (MT-2), MT-1 more closely mirrors the native structure of α-MSH, albeit with specific amino acid substitutions designed to resist rapid enzymatic degradation and extend its stability in laboratory assays.

Scientific studies focus predominantly on the interaction between MT-1 and the melanocortin 1 receptor (MC1R), which is located on the surface of melanocytes. Upon binding, MT-1 activates the adenylyl cyclase signaling pathway, subsequently increasing intracellular levels of cyclic AMP (cAMP). This cascade triggers the upregulation of the microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF), a crucial step that promotes the expression of tyrosinase and drives the synthesis of melanin (melanogenesis).

In research models, MT-1 is utilized to study isolated pigmentation pathways without the confounding variables associated with central nervous system stimulation. Because MT-1 exhibits significantly lower binding affinity for central melanocortin receptors (such as MC3R and MC4R) compared to MT-2, researchers use it to examine cellular photoprotection, DNA repair mechanisms in skin cell cultures, and the extracellular matrix response to simulated solar damage.

References

1. Hadley, M. E., & Dorr, R. T. (2006). “Melanocortin peptide therapeutics: historical milestones, clinical studies and commercialization.” Peptides, 27(4), 921-930.
2. Abdel-Malek, Z. A., et al. (2006). “Alpha-MSH tripeptide analogs activate the melanocortin 1 receptor and reduce UV-induced DNA damage in human melanocytes.” Pigment Cell Research, 19(5), 428-434.
3. Eberle, A. N., et al. (1991). “Melanocyte-stimulating hormone: structure-activity relationships, receptor binding and signal transduction.” Journal of Receptor Research, 11(1-4), 311-322.