alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone

Alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone (α-MSH) is an endogenous tridecapeptide hormone and neuropeptide of the melanocortin family. It is produced primarily in the anterior pituitary gland but also in the skin and hypothalamus. Derived from pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC), α-MSH plays a central role in stimulating melanogenesis—the production of melanin by melanocytes—leading to pigmentation of skin, hair, and eyes. Beyond pigmentation, α-MSH regulates appetite and energy homeostasis via action on hypothalamic receptors; it also influences sexual behavior, exerts anti-inflammatory effects, modulates immune responses, and provides protection against ischemia-reperfusion injury. Its biological actions are mediated through non-selective full agonism at several melanocortin receptors (MC1R for pigmentation; MC3R/MC4R for appetite/metabolism). Synthetic analogues have been developed as drugs for photoprotection or other indications[7][4][5][6].

Other names

melanotropinα-MSHalpha MSH