{"title":"Tanning \u0026 Melanocyte Peptides","description":"\u003cp\u003eMelanocyte-stimulating hormone analogues studied for pigmentation, UV protection, and related physiological effects in research settings.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"melanotan-i","title":"Melanotan I","description":"\u003ch2\u003eMelanotan I (Afamelanotide)\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMelanotan I, also known as Afamelanotide, is a synthetic linear tridecapeptide analogue of α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH), developed at the University of Arizona. Unlike Melanotan II, which is a cyclic heptapeptide, Melanotan I retains the full 13-amino acid sequence of α-MSH with a single amino acid substitution ([Nle4, D-Phe7]-α-MSH) that confers enhanced potency and metabolic stability. Melanotan I is a selective MC1R agonist with significantly reduced activity at MC3R and MC4R compared to Melanotan II, making it a more selective research tool for studying MC1R-mediated pigmentation and photoprotection pathways.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eMechanism of Action\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMelanotan I acts as a potent, selective agonist of MC1R expressed on epidermal melanocytes. MC1R activation stimulates adenylyl cyclase via Gs-protein coupling, increasing intracellular cAMP and activating the MITF (Microphthalmia-associated Transcription Factor) pathway. This upregulates tyrosinase, TRP-1, and TRP-2 enzyme expression, promoting the synthesis of eumelanin — the photoprotective brown-black pigment — over phaeomelanin. MC1R activation also induces DNA repair mechanisms in melanocytes, including nucleotide excision repair (NER) of UV-induced cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers (CPDs), independent of pigmentation. These dual mechanisms make Melanotan I a valuable tool for studying MC1R pharmacology, melanogenesis, and UV-induced DNA damage repair.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eResearch Applications\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMC1R pharmacology and selective melanocortin receptor agonism studies\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMelanogenesis, eumelanin synthesis, and MITF pathway research\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eUV-induced DNA damage repair and nucleotide excision repair investigation\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePhotoprotection and erythropoietic protoporphyria (EPP) preclinical models\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMelanocyte biology and pigmentation disorder research\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMolecular Formula:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003eC₇₈H₁₁₁N₂₁O₁₉ ⋅ xC₂H₄O₂\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMolecular Weight:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e 1706.90 g\/mol\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCAS Number:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e1566590-77-9\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePurity:\u003c\/strong\u003e ≥98%\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eForm:\u003c\/strong\u003e Lyophilised powder\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eStorage:\u003c\/strong\u003e -20°C\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eShelf Life:\u003c\/strong\u003e 24 months\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eThis product is intended for legitimate laboratory and analytical research use only. Not for diagnostic, therapeutic, or consumer use.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Vanta Labs","offers":[{"title":"10mg","offer_id":58103429497096,"sku":"MT1-10MG","price":25.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1049\/8886\/8872\/files\/melanotan-i.png?v=1782915436"},{"product_id":"melanotan-ii","title":"Melanotan II","description":"\u003ch2\u003eMelanotan II\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMelanotan II is a synthetic cyclic heptapeptide analogue of α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH), developed at the University of Arizona as part of a programme to investigate melanocortin receptor agonists for photoprotection research. It is a non-selective melanocortin receptor agonist with activity at MC1R, MC3R, MC4R, and MC5R, and has been extensively studied in preclinical research for its effects on pigmentation, energy homeostasis, sexual function, and inflammation. Melanotan II is structurally related to PT-141 (Bremelanotide), which is a metabolite formed by hydrolysis of the lactam bridge.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eMechanism of Action\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMelanotan II activates all five melanocortin receptor subtypes (MC1R–MC5R) with varying affinity. MC1R activation on melanocytes stimulates eumelanin synthesis via cAMP-dependent upregulation of tyrosinase, increasing skin pigmentation. MC3R and MC4R activation in the hypothalamus modulates energy balance, appetite suppression, and autonomic nervous system activity — including effects on dopaminergic reward circuitry relevant to sexual arousal research. MC5R activation influences exocrine gland secretion. The broad receptor profile of Melanotan II makes it a useful pharmacological tool for dissecting melanocortin receptor subtype contributions to pigmentation, metabolism, and neuroendocrine regulation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eResearch Applications\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMelanocortin receptor (MC1R–MC5R) pharmacology and subtype selectivity studies\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMelanogenesis, eumelanin synthesis, and pigmentation biology research\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHypothalamic energy homeostasis and appetite regulation investigation\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMC4R-mediated autonomic and neuroendocrine signalling research\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePhotoprotection and UV-induced DNA damage preclinical models\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMolecular Formula:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003eC₅₀H₆₉N₁₅O₉ • xC₂H₄O₂\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMolecular Weight:\u003c\/strong\u003e 1024.2 g\/mol\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCAS Number:\u003c\/strong\u003e 121062-08-6\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePurity:\u003c\/strong\u003e ≥98%\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eForm:\u003c\/strong\u003e Lyophilised powder\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eStorage:\u003c\/strong\u003e -20°C\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eShelf Life:\u003c\/strong\u003e 24 months\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eThis product is intended for legitimate laboratory and analytical research use only. Not for diagnostic, therapeutic, or consumer use.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Vanta Labs","offers":[{"title":"10mg","offer_id":58103429529864,"sku":"MT2-10MG","price":25.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1049\/8886\/8872\/files\/melanotan-ii.png?v=1782915174"},{"product_id":"pt-141","title":"PT-141","description":"\u003ch2\u003ePT-141 (Bremelanotide)\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePT-141, also known as Bremelanotide, is a synthetic cyclic heptapeptide and a metabolite of Melanotan II, developed as a selective melanocortin receptor agonist. Unlike Melanotan II, PT-141 lacks the C-terminal amide group and exists in a cyclic lactam form, conferring distinct receptor selectivity and pharmacokinetic properties. PT-141 has been extensively studied in preclinical and clinical research for its effects on melanocortin receptor signalling, with particular interest in MC3R and MC4R-mediated pathways involved in sexual function, energy homeostasis, and inflammation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eMechanism of Action\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePT-141 acts as an agonist at melanocortin receptors, with preferential activity at MC3R and MC4R relative to MC1R and MC5R. MC4R activation in the hypothalamus and limbic system modulates dopaminergic and serotonergic neurotransmission, influencing reward circuitry and autonomic nervous system activity. MC3R activation is associated with energy balance regulation and anti-inflammatory signalling. Unlike PDE5 inhibitors, PT-141 acts centrally rather than peripherally, making it a valuable tool for studying the central melanocortin system’s role in autonomic and neuroendocrine regulation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eResearch Applications\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMelanocortin receptor (MC3R\/MC4R) pharmacology and selectivity studies\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHypothalamic dopaminergic and serotonergic neurotransmission research\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCentral autonomic nervous system regulation investigation\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eEnergy homeostasis and melanocortin system modelling\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAnti-inflammatory melanocortin signalling research\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMolecular Formula:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003eC₅₀H₆₈N₁₄O₁₀\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMolecular Weight:\u003c\/strong\u003e 1025.2 g\/mol\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCAS Number:\u003c\/strong\u003e 189691-06-3\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePurity:\u003c\/strong\u003e ≥98%\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eForm:\u003c\/strong\u003e Lyophilised powder\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eStorage:\u003c\/strong\u003e -20°C\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eShelf Life:\u003c\/strong\u003e 24 months\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eThis product is intended for legitimate laboratory and analytical research use only. Not for diagnostic, therapeutic, or consumer use.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Vanta Labs","offers":[{"title":"10mg","offer_id":58103430545672,"sku":"PT141-10MG","price":19.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1049\/8886\/8872\/files\/pt-141.png?v=1782895703"}],"url":"https:\/\/vantalabsuk.com\/collections\/tanning-melanocyte-peptides.oembed","provider":"Vanta Labs","version":"1.0","type":"link"}