Description
Melanotan 1 is a synthetic analog of alpha-MSH, a linear peptide of 13 amino acids, molecular formula C78H111N21O19, molecular weight 1,646.85 g/mol, CAS 75921-69-6. “Linear” means the amino acid chain runs in a straight sequence without internal ring or bridge structures, in contrast to its cyclic counterpart, Melanotan 2.
Melanotan 1’s most notable distinction is its approved clinical use: the pharmaceutical form, afamelanotide, is FDA-approved under the brand name Scenesse as a subcutaneous implant for erythropoietic protoporphyria (EPP), a rare genetic disorder in which patients experience severe pain and skin damage from minimal light exposure. This gives Melanotan 1 a genuine regulatory and clinical trial history, unlike most compounds in this category, centered on its high selectivity for the MC1R melanocortin receptor subtype, which drives melanogenesis (pigment production) without the broader receptor activity seen with Melanotan 2.
Melanotan 1 was first synthesized in the 1980s by modifying the native alpha-MSH sequence for greater chemical stability and enzymatic resistance. It is supplied as a white to off-white lyophilized powder that dissolves readily in water. This product is strictly for research purposes only
PubChem Reference: View compound profile on NIH PubChem
Key Characteristics
MOLECULAR PROFILE
Formula: C78H111N21O19
Weight: 1646.85 g/mol
CAS: 75921-69-6
Structure: Linear 13-amino acid peptide
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
Form: White to off-white lyophilized powder
Solubility: Readily dissolves in water
Selectivity: High MC1R selectivity
Storage: Keep refrigerated 36‑46 °F (2‑8 °C)
Melanotan 1 in Published Research
Because afamelanotide is an approved drug for EPP, more clinical trial data exists for Melanotan 1 than for most melanocortin peptides. Published trials have documented its effects on light tolerance and pain-free sun exposure time in EPP patients. Separately, its MC1R selectivity makes it a frequently referenced comparison compound in research on the broader melanocortin receptor family, particularly against the less selective Melanotan 2.
Frequently Asked Questions :
What is Melanotan 1 approved for?
The pharmaceutical form, afamelanotide (Scenesse), is FDA-approved for erythropoietic protoporphyria, a rare light-sensitivity disorder.
What else is it studied for?
Melanogenesis (skin pigmentation) research, given its high selectivity for the MC1R receptor.
How does it differ from Melanotan 2?
Melanotan 1 is linear and MC1R-selective; Melanotan 2 is cyclic and activates a broader range of melanocortin receptors.
How should it be reconstituted and stored?
Bacteriostatic water, refrigerate 2–8°C.
Where can I buy it?
10mg kit, HPLC/MS verified, not the approved implant formulation.
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