Alpha-MSH
Alpha-Melanocyte-Stimulating Hormone
Overview
Alpha-MSH is a 13-amino-acid endogenous peptide produced from proopiomelanocortin (POMC) in the pituitary gland skin and brain. It is the natural ligand for melanocortin receptors and plays roles in pigmentation appetite regulation inflammation and sexual function. As the template molecule for Melanotan I and Melanotan II alpha-MSH is fundamental to understanding the entire melanocortin system. It has been studied for applications in obesity inflammation autoimmune disease and skin protection and serves as the reference compound for the growing field of melanocortin therapeutics.
Compound Data
Molecular Formula
C77H109N21O19S
Molecular Weight
1664.90 g/mol
IUPAC Name
(4S)-4-[[(2S)-2-[[(2S)-2-[[(2S)-2-[[(2S)-2-acetamido-3-hydroxypropanoyl]amino]-3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)propanoyl]amino]-3-hydroxypropanoyl]amino]-4-methylsulfanylbutanoyl]amino]-5-[[(2S)-1-[[(2S)-1-[[(2S)-1-[[(2S)-1-[[2-[[(2S)-6-amino-1-[(2S)-2-[[(2S)-1-amino-3-methyl-1-oxobutan-2-yl]carbamoyl]pyrrolidin-1-yl]-1-oxohexan-2-yl]amino]-2-oxoethyl]amino]-3-(1H-indol-3-yl)-1-oxopropan-2-yl]amino]-5-carbamimidamido-1-oxopentan-2-yl]amino]-1-oxo-3-phenylpropan-2-yl]amino]-3-(1H-imidazol-4-yl)-1-oxopropan-2-yl]amino]-5-oxopentanoic acid
PubChem CID
16133793Where does Alpha-MSH sit?
See how this peptide compares across all 70 peptides in our database.
Mechanism of Action
Alpha-MSH acts on all five melanocortin receptor subtypes (MC1R-MC5R) with varying affinities. MC1R activation in melanocytes stimulates eumelanin synthesis providing UV protection. MC3R and MC4R activation in the hypothalamus modulates appetite energy expenditure and sexual arousal — MC4R activation suppresses food intake and has been a major target for obesity drug development. MC2R activation drives cortisol production in the adrenal glands. MC5R activation modulates exocrine gland function. Alpha-MSH also has direct anti-inflammatory effects through peripheral MC1R and MC3R activation inhibiting NF-κB signaling and reducing pro-inflammatory cytokine production. Its short half-life of minutes in circulation necessitated the development of more stable analogs like Melanotan I and II for therapeutic applications.
Dosage Information
Typical Dose
N/A — native peptide used as reference compound
Frequency
N/A
Administration
Reference compound — see Melanotan I, Melanotan II, or PT-141 for therapeutic analogs
Notes
Native alpha-MSH has a very short half-life and is not used therapeutically. This entry provides mechanistic context for the melanocortin receptor agonist class.
Potential Side Effects
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Quick Facts
- Administration
- Reference compound — see Melanotan I, Melanotan II, or PT-141 for therapeutic analogs
- Typical Dose
- N/A — native peptide used as reference compound
- Frequency
- N/A
- References
- 0 curated + 42 from PubMed
- Clinical Trials
- 46 registered
- Evidence Score
- 65.8 / 100