What is "melanocyte-stimulating hormone"

n. (context protein English) Any of a class of peptide hormones released by the pituitary gland that are involved in regulating the production of melanin.

n. a hormone secreted by the anterior pituitary gland that controls the degree of pigmentation in melanocytes [syn: MSH]

The melanocyte-stimulating hormones, known collectively as MSH, also known as melanotropins or intermedins, are a family of peptide hormones and neuropeptides consisting of α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH), β-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (β-MSH), and γ-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (γ-MSH) that are produced by cells in the intermediate lobe of the pituitary gland.

Synthetic analogues of α-MSH, such as afamelanotide (melanotan I; Scenesse), melanotan II, and bremelanotide (PT-141), have been developed and researched.