Melanotan I 10mg

Melanotan I (afamelanotide) is a synthetic linear analogue of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH), a tridecapeptide that binds to melanocortin receptors (particularly MC1R). Unlike the endogenous α-MSH, Melanotan I incorporates a [Nle4] substitution that increases metabolic stability. In preclinical research it has been studied for melanogenesis and UV-independent pigmentation pathways, photoprotection and DNA damage reduction models, MC1R receptor binding kinetics, and skin biology and dermatological research. Afamelanotide has been the subject of clinical research for erythropoietic protoporphyria. Supplied at 99.2% HPLC purity.

Melanotan I (afamelanotide) is a linear α-MSH analogue with selective MC1R affinity, making it more specific to pigmentation pathways. Melanotan II is a cyclic analogue (Ac-Nle-cyclo[Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Lys]-NH₂) that binds to a broader range of melanocortin receptors including MC3R and MC4R, giving it distinct research applications. Key structural differences: Melanotan I = linear peptide (MW 1646.87 Da); Melanotan II = cyclic with disulphide-bridge structure (MW 1024.18 Da). Their receptor selectivity profiles mean they are used in different in-vitro research contexts and should not be considered interchangeable.

Legal status: Melanotan I is legal to purchase in Australia for laboratory research purposes. It is not a scheduled substance under the Poisons Standard when sold for research use only. Not for human consumption, therapeutic, cosmetic, or veterinary use. Quality: Batch PW-260303, independently verified at 99.2% HPLC purity. COA includes: HPLC purity %, mass spectrometry identity confirmation (CAS 75921-69-6, MW 1646.87 Da), and sterility screening. Full COA available in our COA Library. Sourced exclusively from GMP-certified manufacturing facilities.

Reconstitution: Draw 1–2mL of bacteriostatic water into a clean 31G syringe. Inject slowly down the inner glass wall of the vial. Gently swirl until the lyophilised powder is fully dissolved. Do not shake. The solution should be clear and colourless. Storage: Lyophilised — store at −20°C, protected from light and moisture, for up to 12–24 months. Reconstituted — refrigerate at 2–8°C and use within 4 weeks. Melanotan I is sensitive to UV light in solution; keep the vial protected from direct light exposure after reconstitution.

Melanotan I (afamelanotide) has a molecular weight of 1646.87 Da and the CAS number 75921-69-6. Its molecular formula is C₇₈H₁₁₁N₂₁O₂₀. It is a 13-amino acid linear peptide with the sequence Ac-Ser-Tyr-Ser-Nle-Glu-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gly-Lys-Pro-Val-NH₂. The [Nle4,D-Phe7] substitutions relative to native α-MSH are responsible for its increased potency at MC1R and improved resistance to enzymatic degradation. Identity is confirmed in Batch PW-260303 via mass spectrometry as documented in the COA. Not for human consumption — for research use only.

Melanotan I (afamelanotide) binds primarily to MC1R (melanocortin receptor 1), which is the dominant receptor subtype expressed in melanocytes and responsible for UV-induced and UV-independent melanogenesis. Its selectivity for MC1R over other melanocortin receptor subtypes (MC3R, MC4R, MC5R) is a key research characteristic that distinguishes it from Melanotan II. MC1R activation stimulates the cAMP/PKA pathway in melanocytes, leading to activation of MITF (microphthalmia-associated transcription factor) and downstream upregulation of melanin synthesis enzymes including tyrosinase. This pathway is a central focus of skin pigmentation research using Melanotan I. Not for human consumption — for research use only.

Erythropoietic protoporphyria (EPP) is a rare genetic disorder caused by deficiency of the enzyme ferrochelatase, resulting in accumulation of protoporphyrin IX and severe photosensitivity. Afamelanotide (Melanotan I) has been researched as a potential photoprotective agent in EPP by increasing eumelanin production in skin via MC1R activation. Increased epidermal melanin acts as a UV filter, reducing the photosensitisation of accumulated protoporphyrin. This mechanism — stimulating UV-protective melanin independently of UV exposure — is a key research direction. Afamelanotide (as Scenesse) has received regulatory approval in Europe and the US for EPP, but our product is supplied only for in-vitro research. Not for human consumption — for research use only.

The full amino acid sequence of Melanotan I (afamelanotide) is: Ac-Ser-Tyr-Ser-Nle-Glu-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gly-Lys-Pro-Val-NH₂. Key modifications relative to the native α-MSH sequence include: [Nle4] — norleucine substitution at position 4, replacing methionine for improved oxidative stability; [D-Phe7] — D-phenylalanine at position 7, increasing receptor binding affinity and metabolic stability. The peptide is N-terminally acetylated and C-terminally amidated — both modifications that reduce proteolytic cleavage compared to the free termini. Not for human consumption — for research use only.

Native alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH) is a 13-amino acid neuropeptide with the sequence Ac-Ser-Tyr-Ser-Met-Glu-His-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gly-Lys-Pro-Val-NH₂. Melanotan I differs at two positions: Met4 is replaced by Nle (norleucine), and Phe7 is replaced by D-Phe (D-phenylalanine). These substitutions result in approximately 1000-fold greater potency at MC1R and substantially longer biological activity (half-life in animal models measured in hours vs. minutes for α-MSH). α-MSH also has broad CNS activity across multiple melanocortin receptors, while Melanotan I is more MC1R-selective. For receptor selectivity research, Melanotan I is preferable to native α-MSH. Not for human consumption — for research use only.

For receptor binding assays (radioligand displacement or fluorescence-based), Melanotan I is typically prepared as a concentrated DMSO or aqueous stock (1–10 mM) and serial-diluted to nanomolar concentrations for IC₅₀ determination at MC1R. Ki values for Melanotan I at MC1R are in the low nanomolar range (~0.3–1 nM reported in published binding studies). For cAMP functional assays in MC1R-expressing cell lines, EC₅₀ values also fall in the low nanomolar range. Prepare stock solutions in sterile DMSO (<0.1% final DMSO concentration in assay wells) or in BAC water from /products/bac-water-10ml. Not for human consumption — for research use only.

In published pharmacokinetic research, Melanotan I (afamelanotide) demonstrates a significantly extended half-life compared to native α-MSH, due to the [Nle4,D-Phe7] modifications. In rodent in-vivo models, plasma half-life is reported at approximately 1.5–2 hours for the free peptide. As a subcutaneous implant formulation (as used in EPP clinical research), the release kinetics extend action over days. In in-vitro buffer stability studies, the peptide is stable for several hours at physiological pH. For cell-free assay work, Melanotan I remains active in assay buffer over typical assay timeframes (1–4 hours). Not for human consumption — for research use only.