Melanotan I 10mg (10 vials/kit): Selective Melanocortin-1 Receptor Agonist for Preclinical Research

Melanotan I (MT-1, also known as Afamelanotide or $\text{[Nle}^4\text{, D-Phe}^7\text{]-}\alpha\text{-MSH}$) is a synthetic, linear 13-amino-acid peptide analog of the naturally occurring peptide hormone alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone ($\alpha\text{-MSH}$). Featuring the chemical sequence $\text{Ac-Ser-Tyr-Ser-Nle-Glu-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gly-Lys-Pro-Val-NH}_2$, Melanotan I incorporates specific structural modifications—a norleucine substitution at position 4 and a D-phenylalanine substitution at position 7—that significantly increase its resistance to enzymatic cleavage and enhance its binding affinity. Sourcing Melanotan I 10mg (10 vials/kit) provides dermatological laboratories, photobiological researchers, and neuroendocrine facilities with a high-purity analytical reagent engineered to investigate melanocortin-1 receptor ($\text{MC1R}$) signaling, UV-independent eumelanin synthesis, and cutaneous photoprotection mechanisms.

Unlike its cyclic counterpart Melanotan II ($\text{MT-2}$), which acts non-selectively across central and peripheral melanocortin receptors ($\text{MC1R–MC5R}$), Melanotan I exhibits high selectivity for the melanocortin-1 receptor ($\text{MC1R}$) expressed on epidermal melanocytes. Because Melanotan I possesses minimal cross-reactivity with central nervous system $\text{MC3R}$ and $\text{MC4R}$ subtypes, it serves as a precise experimental tool for isolating skin pigmentation and melanogenic pathways without triggering the central appetite suppression or sexual arousal responses characteristic of non-selective melanocortin agonists. Activation of $\text{MC1R}$ by Melanotan I triggers adenylate cyclase, elevating intracellular cyclic adenosine monophosphate ($\text{cAMP}$) levels and upregulating tyrosinase activity to convert pheomelanin into photoprotective eumelanin.

Maintaining batch uniformity and chemical stability is critical for quantitative receptor-binding assays and photobiological studies. The Melanotan I 10mg (10 vials/kit) configuration supplies a total yield of 100mg active peptide material (10mg per vial) distributed across ten individual USP Type I borosilicate glass vials. Freeze-dried under sterile vacuum conditions, each vial contains a uniform, highly stable lyophilized powder cake. This multi-vial kit structure enables research personnel to reconstitute only the working volume required for immediate experimental runs, keeping remaining kit stock preserved in deep-freeze stasis to protect against thermal degradation and solvent hydrolytic cleavage.

Selective MC1R Agonism, Photoprotective Signaling, and Technical Profile

The primary scientific value of Melanotan I 10mg (10 vials/kit) stems from its receptor selectivity, metabolic stability, and targeted melanogenic mechanisms:

• High MC1R Receptor Selectivity: Binds preferentially to melanocortin-1 receptors on epidermal melanocytes, allowing researchers to study cutaneous melanogenesis without non-target central nervous system interference.

• Eumelanin Synthesis & Photoprotection: Stimulates intracellular cAMP pathways to upregulate tyrosinase enzymatic expression, shifting melanin production toward dense, photoprotective eumelanin.

• Minimal CNS Cross-Reactivity: Lacks significant binding affinity for central $\text{MC3R}$ and $\text{MC4R}$ receptor subtypes, avoiding central metabolic and behavioral side-effects during physiological assays.

• Enzymatic Stability via Sequence Substitution: Incorporation of $\text{Nle}^4$ and $\text{D-Phe}^7$ protects the peptide backbone from rapid cleavage by serum proteases, extending biological half-life compared to native $\alpha\text{-MSH}$.

• Ultra-High Chemical Purity ($\ge$99.0%): Synthesized via automated Solid-Phase Peptide Synthesis ($\text{SPPS}$) and purified using preparative High-Performance Liquid Chromatography ($\text{HPLC}$) to ensure complete removal of deletion sequences and synthesis byproducts.

Reconstitution Guidelines, Laboratory Storage Standards, and Quality Protocols

Achieving reproducible, publication-grade results when working with Melanotan I 10mg (10 vials/kit) requires strict adherence to standardized aseptic reconstitution and climate-controlled storage procedures.

Perform all reconstitution procedures inside a certified Class II Biosafety Cabinet:

1. Temperature Balancing: Allow the frozen Melanotan I vial to adjust to ambient room temperature prior to solvent introduction to eliminate condensation inside the glass container.

2. Septum Sanitization: Remove the protective plastic flip-cap and thoroughly wipe the synthetic rubber stopper with a fresh 70% isopropyl alcohol pad. Allow the surface to air-dry completely.

3. Slow Diluent Addition: Using a sterile syringe equipped with a fine-gauge needle, draw the required volume of Bacteriostatic Water (0.9% benzyl alcohol), Sterile Normal Saline (0.9% NaCl), or Phosphate-Buffered Saline (PBS). Direct the liquid stream against the inner glass wall so it trickles slowly over the lyophilized cake.

4. Gentle Hydration: Allow the diluent to fully hydrate the powder cake for 2 minutes. Gently roll the vial between your palms or swirl in smooth circular motions until clear. Never vortex or shake vigorously, as high-shear agitation can disrupt peptide bonds and induce protein foaming.

5. Aliquoting Strategy: For extended testing protocols, divide reconstituted liquid into sterile, single-use microcentrifuge tubes under aseptic conditions to prevent atmospheric oxidation and eliminate repeated freeze-thaw cycles.

Batch Quality Documentation & Traceability: Every production lot of Melanotan I 10mg (10 vials/kit) undergoes third-party analytical testing. High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) chromatograms confirm component purity exceeding 99.0%, while Electrospray Ionization Mass Spectrometry (ESI-MS) confirms precise theoretical molecular mass. Each shipment includes a batch-specific Certificate of Analysis (COA) documenting chemical purity, residual solvent analysis, heavy metal screens, and bacterial endotoxin levels (<0.05 EU/mg) to satisfy institutional compliance requirements.

Strict Regulatory & Research Compliance Statement: Melanotan I 10mg (10 vials/kit) is produced, packaged, and distributed exclusively for in vitro laboratory research, academic experimentation, chemical synthesis, and preclinical research. Melanotan I 10mg (10 vials/kit) is strictly not intended, formulated, or approved for human or animal consumption, therapeutic medical treatment, clinical diagnostic work, or cosmetic applications. All handling must be conducted by certified research personnel operating within equipped laboratory facilities in compliance with OSHA workplace safety regulations and institutional biosafety protocols.