Scientific Background | alpha-Melanocyte Stimulating Hormone [Met5, Pro6, D-Phe7, D-Trp9, is a synthetic research peptide in the melanocortin / melanocyte-stimulating hormone (MSH) family. Melanocyte-stimulating hormones are proopiomelanocortin-derived melanocortin peptides. The His-Phe-Arg-Trp pharmacophore and its surrounding residues are central to melanocortin-receptor recognition. Native MSH sequences, NDP-MSH, cyclic analogs, D-amino-acid substitutions, and truncations have been used extensively to define potency and selectivity across melanocortin receptor subtypes. |
Experimental Notes | For a fragment, residue-substituted analog, stereochemical variant, labeled peptide, or terminally modified form, experimental behavior should be evaluated for the exact construct rather than assumed to match the native parent peptide. Sequence-dependent solubility, aggregation, adsorption, and stability should be considered when selecting reconstitution and assay conditions. |
