α-Melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH) is a 13-amino acid peptide hormone produced by post-translational processing of proopiomelanocortin (POMC) in the pituitary gland, as well as in keratinocytes, astrocytes, monocytes, and gastrointestinal cells.1It is an agonist of melanocortinreceptor 3 (MC3R) and MC4R that induces cAMP production in Hepa cells expressing the human receptors (EC50s = 0.16 and 56 nM, respectively).2α-MSH (100 pM) reducesS. aureuscolony formation andC. albicansgerm tube formationin vitro.3It inhibits endotoxin-, ceramide-, TNF-α-, or okadaic acid-induced activation of NF-κB in U937 cells.1α-MSH reduces IL-6- or TNF-α-induced ear edema in mice.4It also prevents the development of adjuvant-induced arthritis in rats and increases survival in a mouse model of septic shock. Increased plasma levels of α-MSH are positively correlated with delayed disease progression and reduced death in patients with HIV.1 1.Catania, A., Airaghi, L., Colombo, G., et al.α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone in normal human physiology and disease statesTrends Endocrinol. Metab.11(8)304-308(2000) 2.Miwa, H., Gantz, I., Konda, Y., et al.Structural determinants of the melanocortin peptides required for activation of melanocortin-3 and melanocortin-4 receptorsJ. Pharmacol. Exp. Ther.273(1)367-372(1995) 3.Cutuli, M., Cristiani, S., Lipton, J.M., et al.Antimicrobial effects of a-MSH peptidesJ. Leukoc. Biol.67(2)233-239(2000) 4.Lipton, J.M., Ceriani, G., Macaluso, A., et al.Antiiinflammatory effect of the neuropeptide a-MSH in acute, chronic, and systemic inflammationAnn. N.Y. Acad. Sci.25(741)137-148(1994)
Dersimelagon phosphate is a selective melanocortin-1 receptor (MC1R) agonist that increases skin melanin without sun exposure and is being developed to increase light tolerance in EPP XLP patients.
RO27-3225, also known as RO273225 is a melanocortin type 4 receptor agonist with EC50 = 1 nM. It may alleviate intestinal dysfuntion and brain damage. It has been investigated for an anti-obesity medication. Ro 27-3225 shows some activity at the MC1 receptor. Ro 27-3225 reverses hemorrhagic shock, reduces multiple organ damage, and improves survival.
Melanotan II acetate is an agonist of melanocortinreceptor 1 (MC1R), MC3R, MC4R, and MC5R. It has been shown to improve recovery of sciatic nerve function after mechanical injury and increase cisplatin-induced decreases in sensory nerve conduction velocity. Melanotan II acetate increases oxygen consumption and protein levels of uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1) in brown adipose tissue homogenates and decreases food intake, body weight, and serum levels of leptin, glucose, insulin, and cholesterol.