alpha-MSH – Neuroscience Peptides

Alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone (alpha-MSH) is a melanocortin family neuropeptide which plays important roles in metabolic and immune homeostasis. It is formed from the cleavage of adrenocorticotropic hormone, the cleavage product of proopiomelanocortin hormone. alpha-MSH is expressed ubiquitously to varying degrees in a wide variety of cells including the hypothalamus, monocytes and retinal pigment epithelial cells. alpha-MSH is a non-selective agonist of melanocortin receptors. alpha-MSH is a suppresser of inflammation from both innate and adaptive immune pathways, it is involved in hair and skin pigmentation (through MC1 receptor activation), has reproductive functions, cardio protective functions and regulates food intake and energy metabolism. The N-terminal of the peptide is protected by an acetyl group.