Afamelanotide

**Semantic type:** Organic Chemical|Pharmacologic Substance

**Definition:** 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.

**Synonyms:** - AFAMELANOTIDE - CUV1647 - Melanotan I - Msh, 4-nle-7-phe-alpha- - 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