Melanotan 1 (MT1) 10mg

What is Melanotan 1 (MT1) 10mg?

Melanotan 1 (MT1), known by the INN afamelanotide, is a linear 13-amino-acid synthetic analogue of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (alpha-MSH). It differs from the native hormone at two positions: norleucine replaces methionine at position 4 and D-phenylalanine replaces L-phenylalanine at position 7, which is why it is also called [Nle4, D-Phe7]-alpha-MSH or NDP-alpha-MSH. These substitutions make melanotan 1 far more resistant to enzymatic degradation and more potent at the MC1 receptor than alpha-MSH itself.

GenoPept supplies melanotan 1 UK laboratories as a 10mg lyophilised research peptide. It is the peptide studied in a licensed medicine for the compound class, and published clinical literature exists, but GenoPept sells it strictly as a research reagent for in-vitro and preclinical work.

Melanotan 1 (MT1) 10mg research applications

Melanotan 1 peptide is used in dermatological cell biology, pigmentation genetics and photobiology research. The applications below summarise published preclinical and in-vitro investigations and are not claims about effects in people.

Melanogenesis and MC1 receptor signalling

Melanotan 1 is the reference MC1R agonist for stimulating eumelanin synthesis in cultured melanocytes and animal models, allowing researchers to measure tyrosinase activity, MITF expression and melanosome transfer to keratinocytes.

Photoprotection and DNA-repair pathways

Cell-culture research investigates whether MC1R activation by melanotan 1 enhances repair of ultraviolet-induced DNA damage and reduces oxidative stress in melanocytes, independent of pigment production.

Porphyrin and light-sensitivity models

Animal and cell models of light-induced phototoxicity have been used to study how melanotan 1-driven pigmentation and antioxidant responses modify tissue sensitivity to visible light, work that underpins the published literature on this compound class.

MC1R genetics and pigmentation variants

Research explores how MC1R polymorphisms, such as those associated with red hair and fair skin, alter receptor responsiveness to melanotan 1, using transfected cell lines expressing variant receptors.

Anti-inflammatory melanocortin signalling

Because MC1R is also expressed on immune cells, melanotan 1 is used in in-vitro models of cytokine release and inflammatory signalling to study the anti-inflammatory arm of the melanocortin system.

Mechanism of action (preclinical)

Melanotan 1 binds the melanocortin 1 receptor (MC1R), a Gs-coupled G protein-coupled receptor on melanocytes, stimulating adenylyl cyclase and raising intracellular cAMP. cAMP activates protein kinase A and the CREB transcription factor, which upregulates microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF) and downstream enzymes including tyrosinase, TYRP1 and DCT, shifting melanin synthesis towards photoprotective eumelanin in preclinical models.

The norleucine and D-phenylalanine substitutions stabilise the peptide against proteases and lock the His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp pharmacophore into a receptor-active conformation. Unlike melanotan II, melanotan 1 has limited activity at MC3 and MC4 receptors, so its effects in animal models are largely confined to MC1R-expressing tissues.

Melanotan 1 (MT1) 10mg product specifications

Available sizes

Melanotan 1 is currently offered in a single research vial size suitable for cell-culture and small animal-model studies:

• 10mg vial

Laboratories running larger studies can order it in bulk boxes of 10 vials at 20–50% below single-vial pricing through our bulk and wholesale page, with UK-only retail delivery.

Reconstitution, handling and storage (laboratory)

This compound is supplied as a lyophilised powder and should be stored unopened at –20 °C for long-term holding, or at 2–8 °C for short periods, always protected from light. Melanotan 1 contains tryptophan, histidine and tyrosine residues that are sensitive to oxidation and light, so keep vials in the dark and prepare working solutions fresh.

To reconstitute for in-vitro work, add bacteriostatic water or another sterile diluent slowly down the inside wall of the vial, then swirl gently until the powder dissolves. Never shake the vial, because shear can damage the molecule. After reconstitution keep the solution at 2–8 °C and use it within the period stated in the laboratory protocol. UK laboratories can also read our guides on how to reconstitute research peptides and how to store research peptides.

Quality assurance and Certificate of Analysis

Purity and identity results are batch-specific. Consult the applicable supplied report for its results and methods; confirm the batch covers current stock and verify the laboratory’s accreditation scope directly.

For melanotan 1 the LC-MS identity test confirms the expected mass of the 13-amino-acid amidated peptide, and HPLC quantifies purity against deletion sequences and oxidation products. Our article on what a Certificate of Analysis shows explains how to read the purity chromatogram and mass spectrum. Orders are dispatched from the UK by tracked Royal Mail Special Delivery (£10, free on orders of £200 or more), with automatic cart discounts of 5% from £300, 10% from £500 and 15% from £1,000. We accept card, Apple Pay, Google Pay and cryptocurrency payments.

Related research compounds

• Melanotan II (MT2) – the cyclic, non-selective melanocortin agonist for comparison with MC1R-selective melanotan 1.
• PT-141 (Bremelanotide) 10mg – a melanotan II derivative studied for central MC3 and MC4 receptor signalling.
• GHK-Cu Copper Peptide – a complementary peptide for skin and dermatological cell-model research.
• Glutathione – an antioxidant used in melanocyte oxidative-stress and pigmentation research.

Melanotan 1 (MT1) 10mg frequently asked questions

What is melanotan 1 used for in research?

Melanotan 1 is used as the reference MC1 receptor agonist in melanocyte cell culture and animal models to study melanogenesis, tyrosinase activity, MITF signalling and ultraviolet-induced DNA-repair pathways. It is also used in MC1R genetics research with variant receptors and in in-vitro models of melanocortin-mediated anti-inflammatory signalling. All applications are preclinical or in-vitro.

How is melanotan 1 supplied and what purity is it?

Purity and identity results are batch-specific. Consult the applicable supplied report for its results and methods; confirm the batch covers current stock and verify the laboratory’s accreditation scope directly.

How should melanotan 1 be stored?

Store unopened melanotan 1 vials at –20 °C for long-term holding, or at 2–8 °C for short periods, protected from light. After reconstitution with bacteriostatic water or sterile diluent, keep the solution at 2–8 °C and use it within the period stated in your laboratory protocol. Avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles and never shake the vial.

Is melanotan 1 for human use?

No. Melanotan 1 from GenoPept is sold strictly for in-vitro laboratory research. It is not for human or veterinary use, it is not a medicine, and it is not for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes. We do not provide dosing or administration information, and nothing on this page should be interpreted as medical advice.

What is the difference between melanotan 1 and melanotan II?

Melanotan 1 is a linear 13-amino-acid peptide that binds predominantly the MC1 receptor, so its activity in preclinical models is largely confined to pigmentation and melanocyte biology. Melanotan II is a shorter cyclic heptapeptide that activates MC1, MC3, MC4 and MC5 receptors, giving it additional central nervous system activity in animal studies. Researchers choose melanotan 1 for MC1R-focused work and melanotan II for broader melanocortin studies.

Research use only. Melanotan 1 is supplied strictly for in-vitro laboratory research. It is not for human or veterinary use, it is not a medicine, and it is not for diagnostic or therapeutic use. Nothing on this page is medical advice. Read our research use only policy and guide to research peptides and UK law before ordering.