afamelanotide
A synthetic peptide analogue of the naturally occurring alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone (a-MSH) with potential photoprotective activity. Mimicking the action of a-MSH, afamelanotide stimulates melanocytes to increase the production and release of melanin. Increased melanocyte melanin may protect against ultraviolet radiation (UVR)-initiated cellular DNA damage, oxidation of membrane proteins, and alterations in intracellular signaling processes in epidermal cells. Endogenously, a-MSH is released by skin cells in response to UVR exposure, stimulating melanocytes to produce and release melanin.
| Synonym: | melanotan I Msh, 4-nle-7-phe-alpha- |
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| Code name: | CUV1647 |
| Chemical structure: | N-acetyl-L-serinyl-L-tyrosyl-L-seryl-(2S)-2-aminohexanoyl-L-glutamyl-L-histidyl-D-phenylalanyl-L-arginyl-L-tryptophanylglycyl-L-lysyl-L-prolyl-L-valinamide |