Compound class

Melanocortin fragment peptides

Short peptides corresponding to fragments of melanocortin hormones, retaining part of the parent sequence while lacking the residues required for melanocortin receptor binding.

Published: 2026-09-12Literature/identifier verification: 2026-08-23

Neutral class definition

Short peptides corresponding to fragments of melanocortin hormones, retaining part of the parent sequence while lacking the residues required for melanocortin receptor binding.

Related compounds

Compound

Cosyntropin (ACTH 1-24)

Cosyntropin is the synthetic 1-24 fragment of adrenocorticotropic hormone, the melanocortin ligand of the MC2R branch.

Tetracosactide · ACTH(1-24) · alpha 1-24 corticotropin

Compound

KPV

KPV is a synthetic tripeptide, Lys-Pro-Val, corresponding to the C-terminal three residues of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone.

Lys-Pro-Val · alpha-MSH (11-13) · MSH (11-13)

Related molecular mechanisms

receptor

A family of five G protein-coupled receptors, MC1R through MC5R. ACTH recognition and signaling at MC2R depend on the accessory protein MRAP. Native hormones, peptide analogs and nonpeptide ligands differ in receptor-subtype recognition and functional direction; binding affinity, agonism and antagonism must be interpreted separately in the experimental system studied.

Relevant glossary terms

Agonist Ligand G-protein-coupled receptor Peptide analog Lipidation Amidation

Verified bibliography

The neuroimmunomodulatory peptide alpha-MSH.
Ichiyama T, Sato S, Okada K, Catania A, Lipton JM
Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences · 2000 · Review
current
PMID 11268347 DOI 10.1111/j.1749-6632.2000.tb05386.x KPV

Related compound classes

Regulatory peptide fragment analogs Cyclic melanocortin analogs Linear melanocortin analogs Melanocortin receptor ligands