Peptide Lab HQ Research Guide
Melanotan I
A research-focused compound profile covering Melanotan I identity, Afamelanotide / NDP-MSH research, melanocortin receptor signaling, MC1 receptor pathway context, pigmentation research, photoprotection research models, concentration reference, reconstitution reference, and safety considerations.
Compound Data
Compound Profile
| Compound Name | Melanotan I |
|---|---|
| Common Name | Afamelanotide |
| Common Synonyms | Melanotan-1, Melanotan I, NDP-MSH, NDP-α-MSH, [Nle4, D-Phe7]-α-MSH, CUV1647 |
| Compound Type | Synthetic linear tridecapeptide / α-MSH analogue / melanocortin receptor agonist research peptide |
| CAS Number | Commonly listed as 75921-69-6 for afamelanotide; verify against supplier COA |
| PubChem CID | 16197727 for Afamelanotide |
| Amino Acid Length | 13 amino acids |
| Amino Acid Sequence | Ac-Ser-Tyr-Ser-Nle-Glu-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gly-Lys-Pro-Val-NH₂ |
| Short Sequence | Ac-SYS-Nle-EH-D-Phe-RWGKPV-NH₂ |
| Molecular Formula | C₇₈H₁₁₁N₂₁O₁₉; verify against supplier COA |
| Molecular Weight | Approximately 1646.85 g/mol as anhydrous free base; verify against supplier COA |
| Research Category | Melanocortin receptor signaling, MC1 receptor pathway, melanogenesis, pigmentation response, photoprotection, erythropoietic protoporphyria research context, and dermatology research |
| Research Context | Commonly discussed as a modified α-MSH analogue with increased stability compared with native α-MSH and primary research focus around MC1 receptor-mediated melanogenesis and photoprotection models. |
| Appearance | White to off-white lyophilized powder, depending on supplier documentation |
| Use | For laboratory research use only. |
Research Applications
Key Research Applications
Melanotan I is commonly discussed in controlled research models involving melanocortin receptor activity, MC1 receptor signaling, melanogenesis, eumelanin production, pigmentation response, photoprotection research, UV-response pathway models, and erythropoietic protoporphyria research context.
MC1 Receptor Research
Melanotan I / Afamelanotide is commonly studied as an α-MSH analogue with primary research relevance around MC1 receptor signaling and melanocyte activity.
Melanogenesis Models
Used in research involving melanin production, eumelanin response, melanocyte stimulation, pigmentation markers, and skin darkening observations.
Photoprotection Research
Afamelanotide has been evaluated in research involving light sensitivity, pain-free light exposure, phototoxic reaction models, and erythropoietic protoporphyria study contexts.
α-MSH Analog Research
Melanotan I is commonly discussed as a modified α-MSH analog with Nle4 and D-Phe7 substitutions compared with the native melanocortin peptide structure.
Dermatology Study Context
Research contexts include pigmentation response, UV-response pathways, phototoxicity, vitiligo-related research, and broader dermatological melanocortin signaling.
Melanotan I vs. Melanotan II
Melanotan I is generally discussed as a more MC1-focused linear α-MSH analogue, while Melanotan II is a cyclic melanocortin peptide with broader melanocortin receptor activity.
Research Scope
These applications are provided for educational and research-reference purposes only. Research outcomes may vary based on peptide form, route, concentration, pigmentation baseline, receptor expression, formulation, study design, and laboratory conditions.
Reference Only
Reconstitution / Research Dosing Reference
Quick Reference Summary
| Reference Vial | 10 mg Melanotan I |
|---|---|
| Primary Solution Volume | 2.0 mL bacteriostatic water |
| Primary Concentration | 5 mg/mL |
| Measurement Reference | On a U-100 syringe, 1 unit = 0.01 mL. |
| Amount per U-100 Unit | At 5 mg/mL, 1 unit equals 0.05 mg / 50 mcg Melanotan I. |
| Storage Reference | Refrigerate at 2–8°C / 35.6–46.4°F after reconstitution, protected from direct light. |
Reconstitution Steps
- Draw 2.0 mL bacteriostatic water using a sterile syringe for the main concentration reference shown below.
- Slowly add the BAC water down the side of the vial wall.
- Gently roll or swirl the vial until the material is completely dissolved. The solution should appear clear. Do not shake!
- Label with compound name, vial amount, concentration, solvent volume, preparation date, storage conditions, and handling notes.
- Store refrigerated at 2–8°C / 35.6–46.4°F, protected from direct light.
Published Research Context
| Reference Type | Reported Amount / Context | Research Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Compound Identity Reference | Melanotan I, also commonly referenced as afamelanotide or [Nle4,D-Phe7]-α-MSH | Melanotan I is commonly identified as a synthetic analog of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone used in melanocortin receptor research. |
| Melanocortin Receptor Research | MC1R-focused melanocortin receptor context | Commonly discussed in MC1R activation, melanocortin signaling, melanocyte-response, pigmentation-marker, and pathway-response research contexts. |
| Melanogenesis Research Context | Model-dependent concentration and endpoint tracking | Melanotan I is commonly discussed in melanogenesis, eumelanin production, pigmentation-marker, melanocyte-response, and alpha-MSH analog research contexts. |
| Photoprotection / UV-Response Research | Experimental and model-dependent context | Research discussions commonly connect alpha-MSH analogs with MC1R signaling, pigmentation response, UV-stress response, and skin-cell defense marker documentation. |
| Receptor Selectivity Context | Melanocortin-1 receptor agonist research context | Melanotan I / afamelanotide is commonly discussed as an MC1R-active melanocortin analog, distinct from broader non-selective melanocortin analog discussions. |
| Public Protocol-Style Reference | Microgram-to-milligram reference examples | Public protocol-style references commonly describe Melanotan I in microgram-to-milligram examples depending on the research model and preparation format. These are not clinical dosing standards. |
| Clinical / Research-Chemical Status | No universal research-chemical protocol established | Published study references, public protocol-style references, wellness protocols, or public dosing pages should not be treated as dosing instructions for research-chemical vial formats. |
Concentration Reference
| Vial Amount | Solution Volume | Final Concentration |
|---|---|---|
| 10 mg | 2.0 mL | 5 mg/mL |
Research Dosing Amount / Volume Reference
| Reference Amount | Volume at 5 mg/mL | U-100 Unit Reference | Approx. References per 10 mg Vial |
|---|---|---|---|
| 50 mcg | 0.01 mL | 1 unit | 200 |
| 100 mcg | 0.02 mL | 2 units | 100 |
| 0.25 mg / 250 mcg | 0.05 mL | 5 units | 40 |
| 0.5 mg / 500 mcg | 0.10 mL | 10 units | 20 |
| 1 mg / 1000 mcg | 0.20 mL | 20 units | 10 |
| 2 mg / 2000 mcg | 0.40 mL | 40 units | 5 |
| 5 mg / 5000 mcg | 1.00 mL | 100 units | 2 |
| 10 mg / 10000 mcg | 2.00 mL | 200 units | 1 |
Research Frequency / Amount Reference
| Research Window | Frequency | Reference Amount | Units / Volume Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lower Microgram Reference | Calculation reference only | 50 mcg reference amount | 1 unit / 0.01 mL |
| Standard Microgram Reference | Public protocol-style reference, not a clinical dosing standard | 100 mcg reference amount | 2 units / 0.02 mL |
| Low Milligram Conversion Example | Public protocol-style reference, not a clinical dosing standard | 250 mcg reference amount | 5 units / 0.05 mL |
| Mid-Range Conversion Example | Calculation reference only | 0.5 mg reference amount | 10 units / 0.10 mL |
| Upper Conversion Example | Calculation reference only | 1 mg reference amount | 20 units / 0.20 mL |
| Preparation-Level Conversion Example | Calculation reference only | 2 mg reference amount | 40 units / 0.40 mL |
| Half-Vial Preparation Reference | Preparation-level calculation reference | 5 mg reference amount | 100 units / 1.00 mL |
| Full-Vial Preparation Reference | Preparation-level calculation reference | 10 mg reference amount | 200 units / 2.00 mL |
Common Research Windows
| Reference Window | Common Length | Research Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Cell-Culture / Receptor Observation Window | 24–72 hours | May be used for MC1R activation, melanocyte-response, pigmentation-marker, intracellular signaling, UV-stress-response, or pathway-response documentation depending on the model. |
| Acute Observation Window | Single session to several days | Used for short-term receptor-response, melanocortin signaling, melanocyte-marker, pigmentation-pathway, or early pathway tracking depending on the research design. |
| Short Research Window | 1–2 weeks | May be used for early controlled observation involving melanogenesis markers, MC1R response, eumelanin-related endpoints, or UV-stress marker documentation. |
| Standard Protocol-Style Window | 2–4 weeks | Commonly used in public protocol-style references for structured observation and comparison across baseline and follow-up periods. |
| Extended Observation Window | 4–8 weeks | Used when longer documentation is needed for pigmentation-marker trends, MC1R response patterns, photoprotection-marker context, or follow-up marker tracking. |
| Follow-Up / Washout | 1–4 weeks | Used to document post-study observations, marker return, delayed response patterns, or follow-up data depending on the research model. |
Research Note: These tables are provided for educational, research-planning, concentration, frequency-reference, and volume-reference purposes only. Melanotan I, also commonly referenced as afamelanotide or [Nle4,D-Phe7]-α-MSH, is commonly discussed in melanocortin receptor, MC1R, alpha-MSH analog, melanogenesis, pigmentation-marker, eumelanin, melanocyte-response, UV-stress-response, and photoprotection-marker research contexts. This reference uses a 10 mg vial reconstituted with 2.0 mL bacteriostatic water. Published study references and public protocol-style frequency references are not universal research-chemical dosing standards and should not be treated as dosing instructions for research-chemical vial formats. This information is not medical advice, dosing instruction, injectable-use guidance, or a recommendation for human or animal use.
Research Notes
Research Findings & Safety Notes
Research Findings
Melanotan I is commonly discussed in research involving MC1 receptor activity, α-MSH analog signaling, melanogenesis, eumelanin response, pigmentation models, photoprotection research, and erythropoietic protoporphyria study context.
Study Limitations
Melanotan I / Afamelanotide research includes early pharmacokinetic studies, pigmentation studies, dermatology research, prescription implant studies, and EPP clinical contexts. Findings should be interpreted according to peptide form, route, dose, pigmentation baseline, formulation, and study design.
Safety Considerations
Research discussion should account for pigmentation changes, melanocytic nevus monitoring, skin lesion observation, nausea, fatigue, dizziness, somnolence, implant or administration-site reactions, peptide purity, sterility documentation, storage conditions, and qualified laboratory handling procedures.
Use Restriction
Not for human or animal consumption. Not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease when discussed as a research-use material.
Related Supplies
Research Supplies
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Bacteriostatic Water
Commonly referenced in laboratory preparation workflows.
Research Syringes
Supply category for controlled laboratory research preparation.
Prep Supplies
Supporting supplies for clean handling, preparation, and documentation.
Lab Handling
Handling & Storage
Storage
Store materials according to product-specific requirements. Protect from excessive heat, moisture, and direct light.
After Reconstitution
Keep refrigerated after reconstitution unless otherwise specified by the product documentation.
Handling
Use appropriate laboratory PPE, clean handling practices, and qualified research procedures.
Documentation
Maintain batch details, COA records, preparation notes, and internal research documentation.