Melanotan 1 and Melanotan 2 are synthetic peptide analogs of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH) that are widely examined in scientific research for their roles within the melanocortin system. Melanotan 1, also known as afamelanotide, is characterized by its high selectivity for the melanocortin-1 receptor (MC1R). This receptor specificity makes it a useful research compound for studying melanogenesis, pigmentation regulation, and cellular responses to ultraviolet exposure. Its focused activity profile allows researchers to explore controlled pigment expression and photoprotective mechanisms with minimal off-target receptor interaction.