| Field | Specification |
|---|---|
| Activity | |
| Alternative Names | α-Melanotropin, alpha-MSH |
| Cas No. | |
| Concentration | |
| Form | Lyophilized |
| Formulation | |
| Gene ID | |
| Molecular Weight | |
| Product Type | |
| Purity | |
| Reconstitution | |
| Solubility | Centrifuge the vial before adding solvent (10,000 x g for 5 minutes) to spin down all the powder to the bottom of the vial. The lyophilized product may be difficult to visualize. Add solvent directly to the centrifuged vial. Tap the vial to aid in dissolving the lyophilized product. Tilt and gently roll the liquid over the walls of the vial. Avoid vigorous vortexing. Light vortexing for up to 3 seconds is acceptable if needed. The product is soluble in pure water at high micromolar concentrations (100 µM - 1 mM). For long-term storage in solution, we recommend preparing a stock solution by dissolving the product in double-distilled water (ddH2O) at a concentration between 100-1000x of the final working concentration. Divide the stock solution into small aliquots and store at -20°C. Before use, thaw the relevant vial(s) and dilute to the desired working concentration in your working buffer. Centrifuge all product preparations before use. It is recommended to prepare fresh solutions in working buffers just before use. Avoid multiple freeze-thaw cycles to maintain biological activity. |
| Source | Synthetic peptide |
| Storage | |
| Target |
Overview
α-MSH is a research-grade protein/peptide reagent used in research settings. It is commonly applied as a tool reagent related to Melanocortin receptor biology and/or assay development. It is supplied in Lyophilized format to support flexible downstream use in RUO workflows. Researchers commonly pair it with applications such as Melanin production assay.
Key elements and design rationale
- Molecular identity: CAS: 0581-05-05, MW: 1665 Da, Formula: C77H109N21O19S.
- Source / origin: Synthetic peptide.
- Quality attributes: Purity: ≥98% (HPLC); Bioassay tested: Yes; Sterile / endotoxin-free: No.
Modifications
Ser1- Acetylation Val13- C-terminal amidation
When used as a biochemical or pharmacological tool, results are best interpreted relative to the experimental system (species, expression level, and assay readout) and with appropriate negative and competition-style controls where relevant. This product is intended for research use only.
Biological background
α-MSH is a neuropeptide originally isolated from the pituitary gland1. α-MSH is produced by post-translational processing of a precursor protein, proopiomelanocortin (POMC)2. In most vertebrates but not in mammals, α-MSH is produced in the intermediate lobe of the pituitary gland. The biological activities of α-MSH are mediated through a family of five specific G-protein coupled receptors: MCR1, MCR2, MCR3, MCR4, and MCR5. α-MSH is an evolutionarily highly conserved peptide action that induces pigment dispersion in skin melanocytes of amphibians, reptiles and mammals by stimulating melanin production3,4.However, in human and other mammals, α-MSH acts in the brain in appetite suppression and sexual arousal. Some cases of extreme obesity have been traced to mutated α-MSH receptor in the brain. Presumably, these people are unable to respond to the appetite-suppressing effect of α-MSH5. α-MSH has significant anti-inflammatory properties, mediated through its binding to MCR16 and includes regulation of expression and secretion of chemokines, downregulation of proinflammatory signal-induced NF-kB activation and adhesion molecule expression, prostaglandin E2 synthesis, as well as induction of interleukin-107.
Research relevance and current trends
- Using high-specificity ligands, toxins, and engineered peptides to dissect closely related receptor/channel subtypes and signaling microdomains.
- Pairing labeled (e.g., fluorescent) proteins/peptides with advanced imaging to map surface expression, trafficking, and nanoscale organization.
- Increasing emphasis on reproducibility through standardized characterization (identity, purity, and lot QC) and transparent reporting of reagent attributes.
Common research applications
- Melanin production assay: commonly used to compare signal, binding, or functional readouts across conditions without implying a specific protocol.
Across these use cases, changes in signal or functional readout are generally interpreted as evidence of differences in target abundance, accessibility, or engagement, but alternative explanations (matrix effects, off-target interactions, or assay artifacts) should be considered.
Notes for experimental interpretation
- Assay context matters: binding assays, functional modulation, and detection workflows can yield different readouts even for the same target system.
- Target complexity: closely related family members, splice variants, and post-translational modifications can influence apparent specificity and potency.
- Matrix and sample effects: buffer composition, detergents, and biological matrices may alter stability or apparent activity; interpret with appropriate controls.
- Control concepts: include negative controls and orthogonal validation (e.g., genetic perturbation or alternative reagents) to support robust interpretation.
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