A 13-amino acid peptide derived from proteolytic cleavage of ADRENOCORTICOTROPIC HORMONE, the N-terminal segment of ACTH. ACTH (1-13) is amidated at the C-terminal to form ACTH (1-13)NH2 which in turn is acetylated to form alpha-MSH in the secretory granules. Alpha-MSH stimulates the synthesis and distribution of MELANIN in MELANOCYTES in mammals and MELANOPHORES in lower vertebrates.

Synonyms: alpha-Melanocyte-Stimulating Hormone, Desacetyl, alpha-Melanocyte-Stimulating Hormone, 581-05-5, alpha-Melanotropin, Acetylated ACTH (1-13)NH2, alpha-MSH, Desacetyl, Desacetyl alpha MSH, (Des-Acetyl)-alpha-MSH, alpha Melanotropin, alpha Intermedin, MSH, Des-Acetyl, MSH, alpha, Hormone, Desacetyl alpha-Melanocyte-Stimulating, Des-Acetyl MSH, Desacetyl alpha-MSH, ACTH(1-13), ACTH (1-13)NH2, alpha MSH, Desacetyl alpha Melanocyte Stimulating Hormone, MSH, (Desacetyl)alpha-, Adrenocorticotropin (1-13)NH2, alpha Melanocyte Stimulating Hormone, Intermedin, alpha, ACTH (1-13), DE-alpha-MSH, 0, (Desacetyl)alpha-MSH, Hormone, alpha-Melanocyte-Stimulating, alpha-MSH, Desacetyl alpha-Melanocyte-Stimulating Hormone