Melanotan 1 (10mg)

Melanotan 1 is structurally and functionally similar to the physiological alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (alpha-MSH), with the exception of a few choice amino acid substitutions. This includes substitutions such as the substitution of methionine and L-phenylalanine at the fourth and seventh positions, with norleucine and D-phenylalanine. Alpha-MSH is primarily thought to impact melanocytes, dermal cells, and hair follicle cells, which are considered to be responsible for pigmentation. In scientific studies, this hormone appears to interact with melanocortin receptor 1, potentially thus mediating its role. Alpha-MSH is considered to be a non-selective agonist of melanocortin receptors 1, 3, 4, and 5.^[2] 

Here is a basic overview of what researchers have to say about each of these and other related receptors:

• The melanocortin 1 receptor (MC1R) is speculated to be present in melanocytes in cells from skin structure, hair, and eye tissues, and it’s the main target of MT-1.
• The melanocortin 2 receptor (MC2R) is believed to be located in the adrenal cortex, the outer layer of the adrenal glands. It is proposed that this receptor might participate in the production of cortisol, and neither MT-1 nor Alpha-MSH interacts with it.
• The melanocortin 3 receptor (MC3R) is believed to be expressed in several tissues, including the brain and placenta. MC3R may contribute to the regulation of appetite in experimental models.
• The melanocortin 4 receptor (MC4R) is thought to be situated within the central nervous system, particularly in the hypothalamus. It is speculated that this receptor might influence nerve cells associated with regulating copulatory behavior and arousal.
• The melanocortin 5 receptor (MC5R) is expressed across multiple tissues, but its role still needs to be established.

MT-1 was initially developed to induce melanin production and pigmentation by interacting with the same receptors. These two amino acid modifications may help by increasing receptor target affinity and supporting molecular stability for a longer half-life. Subsequent research on the peptide and other melanocortin-binding proteins helped scientists better explore the melanocortin signaling system.