Melanotan-1 (Afamelanotide)

Melanotan-1 (Afamelanotide) is a synthetic tridecapeptide analogue of alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone (α-MSH) with a Nle4, D-Phe7 substitution. It is a potent and selective agonist of the melanocortin 1 receptor (MC1R), studied in research for its effects on melanogenesis and photoprotective signaling pathways.

Melanotan-1 (Afamelanotide) is a synthetic α-MSH analogue with Nle4, D-Phe7 substitutions, making it a potent and selective MC1R agonist. It is studied in research for melanogenesis, photoprotective signaling, and melanocortin receptor biology. Supplied as a lyophilized research peptide.

Afamelanotide was developed at the University of Arizona by researchers including Victor Hruby and Mac Hadley in the 1980s as part of melanocortin receptor research. The Nle4, D-Phe7 modifications conferred enhanced stability and receptor selectivity compared to native α-MSH. Its characterization established the structure-activity relationships for MC1R agonism that continue to guide melanocortin peptide research.

Published studies demonstrate that Afamelanotide activates MC1R with high potency, stimulating eumelanin synthesis through cAMP/PKA/MITF signaling in melanocyte models. Preclinical research has characterized its effects on melanogenesis kinetics, UV-induced DNA damage repair, and antioxidant pathway activation in skin cell cultures. Its selectivity for MC1R over other melanocortin receptors has been well documented.