MT1

Melanotan-1 is the Nle4,D-Phe7 alpha-MSH peptide analogue, examined as NDP-MSH in melanocortin receptor studies.

Identity

Sequence

Ac-SYS[Nle]EH[D-Phe]RWGKPV-NH2

Residues

13

Molecular formula

C₇₈H₁₁₁N₂₁O₁₉

Average molecular weight

1646.8 g/mol

Monoisotopic mass (calculated)

1645.8365 Da

CAS number

75921-69-6

PubChem CID

16197727

Other names

Afamelanotide · NDP-MSH

The catalog name corresponds to the Afamelanotide record and the NDP-MSH peptide. The free peptide has an N-acetyl group and C-terminal amide; counterions are excluded. Nle is norleucine and D-Phe is D-phenylalanine. No separate UniProt accession was verified; the profile uses a residue diagram without SMILES, atomic coordinates or blend components.

Identity data from: PubChem CID 16197727

Research overview

Melanotan-1 corresponds here to the thirteen-residue alpha-MSH analogue also called afamelanotide or NDP-MSH. It has norleucine at position 4 and D-phenylalanine at position 7, with N-terminal acetylation and a C-terminal amide. The cited papers examine NDP-MSH as a ligand in melanocortin-1 receptor experiments. Those studies focus on receptor recognition and signalling, with the modified peptide compared against related melanocortin ligands [1][2].

One study used site-directed mutagenesis of human MC1R to examine ligand binding and receptor activation. It investigated acidic residues within transmembrane regions and aromatic residues in several receptor segments. Comparing binding affinity with signalling measurements helped separate ligand contact from activation. The receptor residue numbers in that work therefore identify MC1R positions, rather than substitutions within the thirteen-residue peptide. The observations belong to the tested receptor constructs [1].

A later investigation examined cysteine residues in MC1R using wild-type and mutant receptors, ligand-binding measurements and cAMP signalling. Some substitutions affected binding, while others changed signalling without the same binding pattern; the C78G construct distinguished responses to NDP-MSH and alpha-MSH. This is a receptor structure-function comparison, not evidence that the two ligands are interchangeable. Together the studies illustrate why peptide stereochemistry, receptor sequence and the chosen assay readout are separate variables in melanocortin pharmacology [2].

Laboratory storage and handling

Store sealed peptide vials under the temperature conditions stated in the lot documentation, protected from light and moisture. Let a cold vial reach room temperature before opening to limit condensation. Avoid repeated freezing and thawing of laboratory stocks, record storage history and the lot identifier, and use standard laboratory protective equipment. Chemical modifications and counterions should be checked against the supplied analytical description.

Questions about Melanotan-1

References

1. Molecular basis for the interaction of [Nle4,D-Phe7]melanocyte stimulating hormone with the human melanocortin-1 receptor. J Biol Chem 1997. PMID 9287296
2. Cysteine residues are involved in structure and function of melanocortin 1 receptor: Substitution of a cysteine residue in transmembrane segment two converts an agonist to antagonist. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2001. PMID 11237737

Identity data checked on 2026-10-03. Literature summaries describe published research models and are not specifications of any product lot.