Melanotan 1 (MT-1) Research Guide
Melanocortin pigmentation research peptide
Melanotan 1 is the more selective alpha-MSH analogue, focused primarily on MC1R activation in melanocytes. Marketed as afamelanotide, it received FDA approval in 2019 for treatment of erythropoietic protoporphyria, making it one of the few melanocortin analogues with a labeled clinical indication.
Contents
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13 amino acids Linear analogue |
MC1R selective Pigmentation focus |
FDA approved EPP indication (2019) |
What is Melanotan 1 (MT-1)?
Melanotan 1 (afamelanotide, brand name Scenesse) is a synthetic linear analogue of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone with 13 amino acids and relative selectivity for the MC1R receptor. The selectivity for MC1R, combined with reduced activity at MC3R, MC4R, and MC5R, gives MT-1 a much narrower side-effect profile than MT-2.
Developed at the University of Arizona by the same research program that produced MT-2, MT-1 was specifically designed to maximize pigmentation effects while minimizing the broader systemic effects observed with pan-melanocortin agonists. The development culminated in FDA approval for erythropoietic protoporphyria in 2019.
Aeternum Labs supplies MT-1 as a lyophilized powder verified to 99%+ purity by HPLC with mass spectrometry sequence confirmation. Each batch ships with a publicly published Certificate of Analysis.
Mechanism of action
MT-1 binds MC1R on melanocytes, activating adenylate cyclase, raising intracellular cAMP, and triggering eumelanin synthesis through upregulation of tyrosinase, the rate-limiting enzyme in melanin production. The effect accumulates over weeks of consistent administration as melanocytes increase pigment production capacity.
Unlike MT-2, the relative selectivity for MC1R means appetite, blood pressure, and sexual function effects are much less pronounced. This makes MT-1 the preferred melanocortin analogue when pigmentation is the primary research interest and broader systemic effects would be confounding.
The mechanistic basis for the EPP clinical approval is the photoprotective effect of increased eumelanin in skin. EPP patients lack normal photoprotection due to a metabolic defect; MT-1-induced pigmentation provides an alternative photoprotective mechanism that reduces phototoxic reactions to sunlight.
Research history
MT-1 was developed at the University of Arizona in parallel with MT-2 in the 1980s. The two compounds were designed with different selectivity profiles: MT-1 to maximize MC1R activity, MT-2 to capture broader pan-melanocortin effects.
Through the 2000s and 2010s, MT-1 (under the development name afamelanotide) progressed through clinical trials for erythropoietic protoporphyria. European approval came in 2014, FDA approval in 2019. The clinical implementation involves a subcutaneous implant rather than injection-based dosing, providing sustained release over approximately two months per implant.
Research applications outside the EPP indication continue, including studies of skin photoprotection, melanocyte biology, and MC1R pharmacology. The compound’s selectivity makes it a useful pharmacological tool for receptor-specific research.
Half-life and pharmacokinetics
Research administration of MT-1 uses subcutaneous injection of the reconstituted lyophilized peptide. Clinical implementation uses a sustained-release subcutaneous implant providing approximately 60 days of exposure per implant.
Plasma half-life of the peptide is approximately 30 minutes by injection. The implant formulation extends the effective exposure period through controlled release rather than extended molecular half-life.
Typical research doses
Research dose ranges using injection-based administration span approximately 0.5 mg to 2 mg per administration. The clinical implant delivers approximately 16 mg total over 60 days, averaging just under 0.3 mg per day.
Pigmentation effects accumulate over weeks of consistent administration. Most published research uses 4-12 week observation windows to capture the full pigmentation response.
Compliance reminder
All dose ranges discussed are reported from peer-reviewed in vitro and animal research. They are not human-use dose recommendations.
Reconstitution protocol
Lyophilized peptides require reconstitution with a sterile solvent before any in vitro work. The standard solvent across virtually all research-peptide protocols is bacteriostatic water (sterile water with 0.9% benzyl alcohol), which prevents microbial growth across the typical four-week working window once a vial is opened.
Add the solvent slowly down the inside wall of the vial rather than directly onto the lyophilized cake. Swirl gently until the powder dissolves fully. Do not shake — agitation can denature peptide bonds and reduce assay potency. A clear, particle-free solution should result within thirty to sixty seconds.
Volume calculations are straightforward. For a 10 mg vial reconstituted with 2 mL of bacteriostatic water, each 0.1 mL of the resulting solution contains 0.5 mg of peptide. Researchers planning multi-week protocols should compute their volumes ahead of time and document the lot number against each preparation.
Storage and stability
Sealed lyophilized vials are stable at 0°F (−18°C) for up to twenty-four months in most research literature. Vials should be kept dry, light-protected, and away from temperature fluctuations. Avoid storing peptides in the freezer door, where each open-close cycle introduces thermal stress.
Once reconstituted, store the working solution at 36–46°F (2–8°C). Most lyophilized peptides remain stable in solution for twenty-eight days under refrigeration with bacteriostatic water as the diluent. For protocols longer than four weeks, reconstitute fresh batches as needed rather than extending a single working vial.
Repeated freeze-thaw cycles reduce peptide integrity. If long-term storage of a reconstituted sample is required, aliquot the solution into single-use volumes before freezing so each thaw uses a fresh aliquot.
Common stack pairings
MT-1 + MT-2 (comparison research)
Side-by-side research with MT-1 (selective) and MT-2 (pan-melanocortin) characterizes the pharmacological contribution of MC1R-only versus broader receptor activation. Used in receptor pharmacology studies rather than effect-focused research.
How it compares
Compared to MT-2: MT-1 is more selective for MC1R, producing primarily pigmentation effects without the appetite suppression, blood pressure changes, or sexual function effects associated with MC4R activation. The narrower profile makes MT-1 more useful for pigmentation-focused research.
Compared to native alpha-MSH: MT-1 is more stable (longer half-life) and produces sustained MC1R activation that the native peptide cannot achieve due to rapid degradation.
From the Aeternum library
Melanotan 1 (MT-1)
- 99%+ purity verified by HPLC
- Mass spec sequence confirmation
- LAL endotoxin screening
- Full Certificate of Analysis published
- Lyophilized powder
Frequently asked questions
Is MT-1 the same as afamelanotide?
Yes. Melanotan 1 (MT-1) is the same molecule as afamelanotide, which is FDA-approved as Scenesse for treatment of erythropoietic protoporphyria. The clinical product uses a sustained-release subcutaneous implant rather than the injection-based administration common in research.
How does MT-1 differ from MT-2?
MT-1 is 13 amino acids and relatively selective for MC1R, producing primarily pigmentation effects. MT-2 is 7 amino acids and activates all five melanocortin receptors, producing broader systemic effects in addition to pigmentation. MT-1 has FDA approval; MT-2 does not.
Why does MT-1 take weeks to produce visible effects?
MT-1 activates MC1R on melanocytes, which upregulates eumelanin synthesis through increased tyrosinase activity. The pigmentation effect accumulates as melanocytes produce and distribute more pigment over time. Most research and clinical studies observe full effects over 4-12 weeks of consistent administration.
What dose ranges are used in research?
Research administration uses 0.5-2 mg per injection. The clinical implant delivers ~16 mg total over 60 days, equivalent to a low daily exposure. Most research designs use intermittent injection rather than sustained-release formulations.
How is MT-1 stored?
Sealed lyophilized vials at 0°F (−18°C) for up to twenty-four months. Reconstituted working solution at 36–46°F (2–8°C) is stable for approximately twenty-eight days.
References
- Lane AM, Wiedemann J, Riester P, et al. (2020). Afamelanotide for Erythropoietic Protoporphyria: Results of an Observational Study. View source
- Minder EI, Barman-Aksoezen J (2015). Afamelanotide, an Agonistic Analog of α-Melanocyte-Stimulating Hormone, in Dermal Phototoxicity of Erythropoietic Protoporphyria. View source
- Hadley ME, Hruby VJ, Jiang J, et al. (1989). Discovery and development of novel melanogenic drugs. View source
Reviewed by
The Aeternum Labs Research Team
Compounds, COAs, and protocol design
The Aeternum Labs research team verifies every batch in our library against published purity and identity standards. Articles in our research blog summarize publicly available scientific literature and are reviewed for accuracy by team members trained in peptide biochemistry and laboratory protocol design.
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Research Disclaimer. All compounds discussed in this article are sold by Aeternum Labs for in vitro laboratory research purposes only. They are not intended for human or animal consumption, diagnosis, treatment, or prevention of any disease or condition. Information presented is summarized from publicly available scientific literature and should not be construed as medical advice.