MT1 (Melanotan I) is a synthetic linear tridecapeptide supplied by Echo Peptides strictly for laboratory and in-vitro research. It is an analog of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (alpha-MSH) that keeps the full 13-residue chain of the native hormone and changes it at two positions: norleucine replaces methionine at position 4, and D-phenylalanine replaces L-phenylalanine at position 7. The compound is written [Nle4, D-Phe7]-alpha-MSH and appears in the literature as NDP-alpha-MSH and under the name afamelanotide.

In melanocortin pharmacology MT1 is used as a reference agonist. It is applied in cell-culture and receptor-binding systems to study the melanocortin receptors MC1R, MC3R, MC4R and MC5R, and to compare responses between receptor subtypes in vitro. It is a different compound from MT2, which is a shorter cyclic heptapeptide closed by a lactam bridge.

Key research areas

  • Melanocortin receptor (MC1R, MC3R, MC4R, MC5R) binding and agonist profiling in cell-culture models
  • Pigmentation and melanin-synthesis pathways in melanocyte-based in-vitro systems
  • Structure–activity comparisons between linear and cyclic analogs of alpha-MSH
  • Reference-agonist studies in melanocortin signaling

Specifications

  • Amount: 10mg per vial
  • Form: Lyophilized powder
  • Sequence: Ac-Ser-Tyr-Ser-Nle-Glu-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gly-Lys-Pro-Val-NH₂
  • Molecular formula: C₇₈H₁₁₁N₂₁O₁₉
  • Molecular weight: 1646.9 Da
  • CAS number: 75921-69-6
  • Storage: Refrigerate at 2–8°C; keep lyophilized until use

This product is intended for laboratory and in-vitro research use only and is not for human or veterinary use.