MT-1 (Melanotan I)
Synthetic α-MSH analogue supplied for in-vitro melanocortin receptor research.
Purity
98%+ (per source specifications)
Form
Lyophilised Powder
Storage
-20°C lyophilised · store at 2–8°C once reconstituted
CAS Number
75921-69-6
Mol. Weight
1646.9 g/mol
£26.99
Free UK delivery
About MT-1 (Melanotan I)
What it is
MT-1, or Melanotan I, is a synthetic analogue of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone. Under the name afamelanotide it is a licensed medicine in the EU and US for erythropoietic protoporphyria, a rare light-sensitivity disorder. That is worth stating plainly: the licensed product is a specific pharmaceutical preparation for a specific rare condition, and is not what is supplied here.
How it is understood to work
It is an agonist at the melanocortin 1 receptor on melanocytes, stimulating the production of eumelanin. It is more selective for MC1R than Melanotan II, which acts across several melanocortin receptors and consequently has a wider range of effects.
What research has looked at
Melanocyte cell culture, melanogenesis pathways, and photoprotection research. The receptor is also of interest in pigmentation genetics, since MC1R variants underlie red hair and fair skin.
Handling and storage
Light-sensitive — keep the vial dark. Lyophilised, reconstitute with bacteriostatic water, refrigerate. Note that the certificate on file for Melanotan compounds should be checked against the specific compound; MT-1 and MT-2 are different molecules and their certificates are not interchangeable.
Supplied for in-vitro laboratory research only. Nothing above describes a dose, a protocol, or a use in humans or animals, and none of these compounds is a licensed medicine in the UK.
Research Information
MT-1 (Melanotan I) is a synthetic analogue of α-melanocyte stimulating hormone (α-MSH), studied for its role in melanocortin receptor research. Researchers are interested in how stabilised α-MSH analogues interact with the MC1R receptor — primarily involved in melanin synthesis — and the broader melanocortin receptor family. Most published work has used melanocyte cell lines to examine receptor binding and downstream tyrosinase enzyme activation.
Research areas
- MC1R receptor binding studies
- Melanocyte cell-line research
- Tyrosinase activation pathway studies
- α-MSH analogue comparison research
Analytical methods
Identity and purity are typically confirmed at source by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and mass spectrometry.
Storage and handling
Store lyophilised at -20°C, away from moisture and direct light. Once reconstituted, store at 2–8°C and use within the timeframe specified on the source datasheet.
For Research Use Only. Not for human or veterinary use.
Batch tested
Every batch is tested for identity and purity, and we publish the certificate.
UK dispatch
UK-stocked. Orders placed before 2pm dispatch the same business day via Royal Mail Tracked 24. Free UK shipping on every order. We ship to UK addresses only.