MT1 10 mg | Mélanotan 1

MT1 (melanotan 1, also known as afamelanotide) is a synthetic analog of alpha-melanotropic hormone (α-MSH). It acts as a selective agonist of the melanocortin type 1 receptor (MC1R), the main receptor involved in the production of skin pigments. More stable and with a longer-lasting effect than natural α-MSH, it is a reference molecule in research on melanogenesis and photoprotection.

Mechanism of action

MT1 replicates and prolongs natural α-MSH signaling through targeted activation:

• Activation of the MC1R receptor: stimulates melanocytes in the epidermis to trigger melanin synthesis.
• Eumelanin production: specifically promotes eumelanin, the dark pigment associated with the skin’s natural photoprotection.
• Photoprotection: the increase in pigmentation is studied for its protective role against UV rays.
• Selectivity for MC1R: unlike Melanotan 2, which has a broader spectrum of action, MT1 preferentially targets the MC1R receptor, giving the product a more pigmentation-focused action profile.

In its pharmaceutical form (afamelanotide/Scenesse), this molecule is studied and used in the treatment of erythropoietic protoporphyria (EPP), a disease characterized by severe photosensitivity, making it one of the best-documented melanocortin analogues.

10 mg format — For whom?

The 10 mg format is designed for research protocols requiring intermediate to high concentrations or prolonged administration kinetics. It offers sufficient reserve for incremental titrations and excellent cost-effectiveness for the laboratory.

Technical specifications

• HPLC purity: ≥ 99%, certified by Janoshik Analytical (accredited independent laboratory)
• Certificate of Analysis (CA): Available per production batch
• Form: Freeze-dried – maximum stability at -20°C for 24 months
• Reconstitution: With bacteriostatic water (0.9% benzyl alcohol)
• Class: α-MSH analog ([Nle4, D-Phe7]-α-MSH), MC1R agonist
• Molecular weight: ∼ 1646 g/mol

Conservation and reconstitution

Store the lyophilized vial at -20°C before reconstitution. After the addition of 1 mL of bacteriostatic water, the solution has a precise concentration of 10 mg/mL. It remains stable for 4 weeks at a temperature between +2°C and +8°C, protected from light. Repeated freeze-thaw cycles after reconstitution should be strictly avoided. Handle under strict aseptic conditions for laboratory research.