What is Melanotan 1 and its mechanism of action?

Melanotan 1 (afamelanotide) is a synthetic alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone (α-MSH) analog that activates melanocortin receptors (MC1R, MC3R, MC4R, MC5R). It's used in research to investigate melanogenesis pathways, melanocortin receptor pharmacology, pigmentation regulation, and neuroprotective effects mediated through MC receptor signaling.

What research applications suit Melanotan 1?

Melanotan 1 excels in melanocortin receptor binding studies, melanogenesis pathway research, pigmentation regulation investigations, MC1R signaling analysis, neuroprotection mechanism studies, and comparative melanocortin agonist research. Its high MC1R selectivity makes it ideal for studying skin pigmentation biology and photoprotection pathways.

How pure is your Melanotan 1?

Our Melanotan 1 exceeds >98% purity verified by HPLC with full Certificate of Analysis. Each batch undergoes mass spectrometry confirmation, melanocortin receptor bioactivity assays, endotoxin testing (<0.1 EU/mg), and comprehensive quality documentation for institutional research compliance.

How does Melanotan 1 differ from Melanotan 2?

Melanotan 1 shows higher MC1R selectivity and longer sequence similarity to native α-MSH (13 amino acids vs 7 for MT-2), making it more suitable for melanogenesis-focused research. MT-2 has broader melanocortin receptor activity including MC3R/MC4R, useful for appetite and energy metabolism studies. Choose based on your specific research focus.

What is the recommended storage and reconstitution protocol?

Store lyophilized Melanotan 1 at -20°C for 24+ months stability. Reconstitute with bacteriostatic water or sterile saline at 1-5 mg/mL. Gently swirl until dissolved. Reconstituted solution remains stable for 14 days at 2-8°C refrigeration. Avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles and direct light exposure.

Can Melanotan 1 be used for melanocortin receptor comparative studies?

Absolutely! Researchers use Melanotan 1 alongside MT-2, NDP-MSH, and ACTH analogs to investigate receptor subtype selectivity, signaling pathway differences, and pharmacological profiles across MC1R through MC5R. This comparative approach reveals receptor-specific mechanisms in melanocortin biology.

What dosage options are available?

We offer 10mg*10vials specification (MT1) optimized for melanogenesis research protocols. This concentration supports dose-response characterization and chronic exposure studies. Bulk orders of 20+ kits receive 5-10% discount, while 50+ kits receive 10-15% savings for extended research programs.

What shipping methods ensure Melanotan 1 stability during international shipping?

We ship in lyophilized form with cold pack insulation. The lyophilized formulation is stable at ambient temperature for short periods (up to 7 days), but cold packs minimize degradation. International delivery typically takes 10-14 days with tracking. Transfer to -20°C storage immediately upon receipt.

What makes MC1R selectivity important for research?

MC1R is the primary melanocortin receptor in melanocytes, mediating eumelanin production and photoprotection responses. Melanotan 1's high MC1R selectivity enables focused investigation of skin pigmentation mechanisms without confounding effects from MC3R/MC4R activation that broader-spectrum melanocortin agonists produce. This selectivity is crucial for melanogenesis-specific research.

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Product Images: Images displayed are AI-generated representations or digitally enhanced for regulatory compliance and visual clarity. Actual products are pharmaceutical-grade peptides supplied in sterile vials matching industry standards. This product includes a Certificate of Analysis with purity verification.

MT110

Melanotan 1

Q: How does Melanotan 1 differ from Melanotan 2?

Melanotan 1 shows higher MC1R selectivity and longer sequence similarity to native α-MSH (13 amino acids vs 7 for MT-2), making it more suitable for melanogenesis-focused research. MT-2 has broader melanocortin receptor activity including MC3R/MC4R, useful for appetite and energy metabolism studies. Choose based on your specific research focus.

Q: What is the recommended storage and reconstitution protocol?

Store lyophilized Melanotan 1 at -20°C for 24+ months stability. Reconstitute with bacteriostatic water or sterile saline at 1-5 mg/mL. Gently swirl until dissolved. Reconstituted solution remains stable for 14 days at 2-8°C refrigeration. Avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles and direct light exposure.

Q: Can Melanotan 1 be used for melanocortin receptor comparative studies?

Absolutely! Researchers use Melanotan 1 alongside MT-2, NDP-MSH, and ACTH analogs to investigate receptor subtype selectivity, signaling pathway differences, and pharmacological profiles across MC1R through MC5R. This comparative approach reveals receptor-specific mechanisms in melanocortin biology.

Q: What dosage options are available?

We offer 10mg*10vials specification (MT1) optimized for melanogenesis research protocols. This concentration supports dose-response characterization and chronic exposure studies. Bulk orders of 20+ kits receive 5-10% discount, while 50+ kits receive 10-15% savings for extended research programs.

Q: What shipping methods ensure Melanotan 1 stability during international shipping?

We ship in lyophilized form with cold pack insulation. The lyophilized formulation is stable at ambient temperature for short periods (up to 7 days), but cold packs minimize degradation. International delivery typically takes 10-14 days with tracking. Transfer to -20°C storage immediately upon receipt.

Q: What makes MC1R selectivity important for research?

MC1R is the primary melanocortin receptor in melanocytes, mediating eumelanin production and photoprotection responses. Melanotan 1's high MC1R selectivity enables focused investigation of skin pigmentation mechanisms without confounding effects from MC3R/MC4R activation that broader-spectrum melanocortin agonists produce. This selectivity is crucial for melanogenesis-specific research.

For research and laboratory use only. Not for human consumption.

Premium pharmaceutical-grade Melanotan 1 for advanced research applications

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FOR RESEARCH PURPOSES ONLY. This product is strictly for laboratory and research use. Not for human consumption, medical treatment, or any clinical application. By ordering, you confirm you are a qualified researcher or represent a legitimate research institution.

Melanotan 1: Key Facts

Melanotan 1 is a skin tanning research peptide supplied by LyzeLabs as a lyophilized reference standard, strictly for laboratory research use. It is available in 1 format starting at $310 per kit. Each batch is independently HPLC-verified at 99.36% purity by Janoshik Analytical, with the certificate of analysis published on the lab-results page and matched to the lot number printed on the vial.

Third-party verified batch

Compound	Melanotan 1
Research category	Skin Tanning
Available formats	10mg*10vials
Starting price	From $310 USD per kit
Purity	99.36% verified (third-party HPLC, Janoshik)
Test method	HPLC / ESI-MS
Certificate of analysis	Published online, matched to the vial lot number
Intended use	Laboratory research use only. Not for human consumption.
Handling	Supplied lyophilized, store per the stability guide

What Researchers Say

Dr. Arjun Patel

United Kingdom

"Our dermatology research lab at a clinical research team in Chandigarh has been using LyzeLabs Melanotan 1 for melanocortin receptor studies for 6 months. The MC1R-selective profile is perfect for our melanogenesis pathway research. Purity consistently >98.4% verified by our HPLC analysis. The peptide shows excellent receptor binding affinity in our MC1R bioassays - matches published pharmaceutical data. Delivery to Chandigarh takes 12 days with proper packaging. The 10mg specification works well for our dose-response melanogenesis protocols. WhatsApp support provided helpful technical guidance about melanocortin receptor selectivity. Essential tool for pigmentation biology research. Highly recommended for dermatological peptide studies!"

2025-11-13

Independent testing lab

United States

"Communication was the standout. Quick, clear, flagged the delivery window up front."

2025-11-10

Independent research lab

Germany

"Arrived quicker than I expected and the batch docs were already published."

2025-11-08

About This Product

Melanotan 1 (Afamelanotide) Research Guide

The MC1R-Selective Melanocortin Analog

Melanotan 1, also known as Afamelanotide, is a synthetic analog of alpha-MSH that sits in a distinct niche from Melanotan 2. Where MT-2 is a non-selective melanocortin agonist hitting all five MC receptors, Melanotan 1 is substantially more selective for MC1R, the melanocyte receptor responsible for pigmentation.

That selectivity has important research consequences. MC1R-selective activation drives melanocyte eumelanin synthesis without the central nervous system effects (appetite, sexual function) that come with MC3R and MC4R activation. For research protocols where the study variable is pigmentation biology specifically, Melanotan 1 is a cleaner tool than Melanotan 2.

Mechanism

MC1R agonism: binds the melanocortin 1 receptor on melanocytes, activating adenylate cyclase and cAMP signaling
Eumelanin biosynthesis: downstream effect on tyrosinase activity and eumelanin production
Photoprotection research context: the same pathway drives the natural photoprotective response of skin to UV exposure
Longer duration than native alpha-MSH: structural modifications extend the half-life and improve receptor residence time

Research Applications

MC1R-specific melanocortin receptor pharmacology
Pigmentation biology and melanocyte research
Photoprotection and UV response research models
Comparative research against [Melanotan 2](/product/mt-2-melanotan-2-acetate) to isolate MC1R-specific effects from the broader melanocortin family
Research into erythropoietic protoporphyria and related photosensitivity models (the clinical research context for Afamelanotide)

Quality Standards

Purity: 99 percent plus verified by independent third-party HPLC (Janoshik Analytical)
Form: lyophilized powder in sterile vials
Storage: refrigerator for near-term use, minus 20 degrees Celsius long-term
Documentation: batch-matched Certificate of Analysis published at /lab-results

For research purposes only. Not for human consumption or therapeutic use.

Research Context for Melanotan 1

Melanocortin Research Context

Melanocortin research compounds target the MC1R through MC5R receptor family, with effects spanning pigmentation, sexual function, appetite regulation, and inflammatory modulation. Research protocols focus on receptor selectivity, binding kinetics, and downstream signaling characterization.

Melanotan 1 ships as a lyophilized research reagent through the LyzeLabs™ catalog in the Skin Tanning category, available as a single research-grade format. Every batch is independently verified by Janoshik Analytical, with the full HPLC chromatogram and mass spectrometry confirmation published on the LyzeLabs lab results page and matched to the lot number printed on your vial.

Related Research Guides

How to Read a Peptide Certificate of Analysis

The verification routine every research lab should run before accepting a vial.

How to Reconstitute a Research Peptide

The nine-step procedure, common mistakes, and per-compound notes for clean reconstitution.

Other Compounds in the Skin Tanning Category

MT-2 (Melanotan 2)

Research Tools for This Compound

Frequently Asked Questions

Melanotan 1

$310