Melanotan I (Afamelanotide): research overview
Melanotan 1, also known as afamelanotide, is a research reagent sold strictly for laboratory use (Research Use Only) by MOLEVIA. We supply it as a 10 mg lyophilized vial with a minimum purity of 99%.
What Melanotan 1 is
Melanotan 1 is a linear analogue of alpha-MSH, a naturally occurring peptide from the melanocortin family. The molecule is synthetic and has a precisely defined amino acid sequence. Its formula is C78H111N21O19, its molecular mass is 1646.9 g/mol, and its CAS number is 75921-69-6.
It belongs to a group of melanocortin peptides that have been studied for years in relation to pigmentation and melanocyte biology. For a laboratory, it is a reference molecule with a known structure and a well documented profile.
Mechanism described in research
Melanotan 1 acts as an agonist of the MC1R receptor, which is found on melanocytes, the cells that produce melanin. According to the published literature, activation of MC1R triggers intracellular signaling, including a cAMP-dependent pathway, that leads to increased melanin production. These observations come from in vitro studies and animal models.
Afamelanotide has also been the subject of clinical studies, and as a medicine (Scenesse) it is registered in the European Union and the United States.
Research areas
- Melanocyte biology and melanin synthesis in cell cultures
- Melanocortin receptor signaling, including MC1R
- Melanocyte response to UV radiation in in vitro models
- Comparative studies of melanocortin peptides, for example Melanotan 2 and PT-141
- The relationship between the structure of a linear peptide and its behavior in solution
Product specifications
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Name | Melanotan 1 (afamelanotide) |
| CAS number | 75921-69-6 |
| Formula | C78H111N21O19 |
| Molecular mass | 1646.9 g/mol |
| Form | lyophilized powder |
| Purity | minimum 99% (HPLC) |
| Available sizes | 10 mg |
| Category | skin peptides |
Working in the lab
Storage
- Keep the lyophilized powder at -20 °C, away from light and moisture.
- Once reconstituted, store the solution at 2-8 °C.
- Avoid repeated freezing and thawing, because temperature cycling accelerates peptide degradation.
Solvents
Water is the primary solvent. Bacteriostatic water limits microbial growth in a working solution, which makes it a good choice when a solution will be used over a longer period. A small amount of dilute acetic acid is an alternative for peptides with a basic character when water alone does not dissolve the material fully.
Quality of every batch
We confirm the purity of each batch by HPLC at a minimum of 99%. Mass spectrometry (MS) confirms the molecular mass.
Ordering and shipping
Orders placed before 2 pm on a business day ship the same day. InPost parcel lockers in Poland deliver on the next business day, and DPD delivers across Europe in 2-4 business days. Shipping is free from 75 EUR, 65 GBP or 80 USD.
Pay online by card, Apple Pay, Google Pay or BLIK (PLN only). Orders from 50 EUR (40 GBP, 55 USD) that include a peptide vial receive a 10 ml bacteriostatic water vial free of charge. Quantity discounts apply automatically: 5% for 2 pcs, 10% for 3 pcs, 15% for 5 pcs.
See also
Browse the full range in the skin peptides category. Read about batch quality on the quality page, and convert concentrations with the concentration calculator.
