Bio-Labs MT-1 10mg

Description

Melanotan-1 (MT-1) is a synthetic, linear peptide analogue of the naturally occurring alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone ($\alpha$-MSH). It acts as a potent, non-selective agonist of the melanocortin receptors, with a particularly high affinity for the MC1 receptor found on melanocytes. Unlike the natural hormone, MT-1 is modified with norleucine and D-phenylalanine to enhance its half-life and stability against enzymatic degradation. In research, it is primarily studied for its ability to induce systemic skin tanning (melanogenesis) independently of UV exposure, thereby providing a biological shield against sunlight-induced DNA damage. Since 2019, its pharmaceutical version, Afamelanotide, has been utilized for treating rare light-intolerance disorders.

• Photoprotection: Research indicates that MT-1 increases the concentration of eumelanin, which acts as a neutral density filter to absorb and scatter harmful UV radiation.
• Genomic Integrity: Studies show that activation of the MC1 receptor by MT-1 enhances nucleotide excision repair (NER) pathways, helping cells repair UV-induced DNA lesions.
• Selectivity Profile: Compared to the cyclic variant Melanotan-2, MT-1 is more selective for pigmentation and has a lower incidence of central nervous system side effects like appetite suppression or spontaneous arousal.
• Clinical Utility: Investigated extensively for the treatment of Erythropoietic Protoporphyria (EPP), where it allows subjects to tolerate significantly longer periods of sunlight without pain.