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Study · Animal study (in vivo) · zebrafish · 2021

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Zebrafish Bioassay for Screening Therapeutic Candidates Based on Melanotrophic Activity.

Hong TI, Hwang KS, Choi TI, Kleinau G, Scheerer P, Bang JK, Jung SH, Kim CH

International journal of molecular sciences27 Aug 2021Cited by 3 (Europe PMC)

PMID34502223 (opens in a new tab)PMCIDPMC8431389 (opens in a new tab)DOI10.3390/ijms22179313 (opens in a new tab)PepBankPUB-34502223
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Summary

In this study, we used the zebrafish animal model to establish a bioassay by which physiological efficacy differential of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH) analogues could be measured by melanosome dispersion in zebrafish larvae. Brain-skin connection research has purported the interconnectedness between the nervous system and skin physiology. Accordingly, the neuropeptide α-MSH is a key regulator in several physiological processes, such as skin pigmentation in fish. In mammals, α-MSH has been found to regulate motivated behavior, appetite, and emotion, including stimulation of satiety and anxiety. Several clinical and animal model studies of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have already demonstrated the effectiveness of α-MSH in restoring the social deficits of autism. Therefore, we sought to analyze the effect of synthetic and naturally-occurring α-MSH variants amongst different species. Our results showed that unique α-MSH derivatives from several fish species produced differential effects on the degree of melanophore dispersion. Using α-MSH human form as a standard, we could identify derivatives that induced greater physiological effects; particularly, the synthetic analogue melanotan-II (MT-II) exhibited a higher capacity for melanophore dispersion than human α-MSH. This was consistent with previous findings in an ASD mouse model demonstrating the effectiveness of MT-II in improving ASD behavioral symptoms. Thus, the melanophore assay may serve as a useful screening tool for therapeutic candidates for novel drug discovery.
CC BYText from Europe PMC. Highlighted sentences are the source of results.

Results from this study1

1 result from studies that gave the peptide. No result from this study comes from people.

  1. 01AnimalAnimal study (in vivo)Activity measurement

    In zebrafish larvae, melanotan II caused greater melanophore dispersion than human alpha-MSH.

    In plain wordsIn zebrafish larvae, melanotan II spread pigment cells more than human alpha-MSH did.

    Peptide
    Melanotan II
    Outcome
    IncreaseMelanophore dispersion capacity
    Study

    zebrafishn: not reported in source

    Zebrafish larvae, melanosome dispersion bioassay
    Comparator
    Human alpha-MSH
    Outcome group
    Pigmentation · Skin and wound
    Studied dose
    Dose not stated

    Source sentences

    Summary
    Using α-MSH human form as a standard, we could identify derivatives that induced greater physiological effects; particularly, the synthetic analogue melanotan-II (MT-II) exhibited a higher capacity for melanophore dispersion than human α-MSH.
    1 context sentence
    Summary · context
    In this study, we used the zebrafish animal model to establish a bioassay by which physiological efficacy differential of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH) analogues could be measured by melanosome dispersion in zebrafish larvae.

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Version history

PepBank keeps every version of the data on this study. Status changes from Retraction Watch, Europe PMC and Crossref are listed with their source.

  1. Version 2Current

    10 Oct 2026, 09:43 UTC

    Study results updated

  2. Version 1

    9 Oct 2026, 03:04 UTC

    First added · source update from Europe PMC

Subjects

Terms as the source lists them.

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