Characterization of triacetyl-α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone in carp and goldfish

► In carp and goldfish, triacetyl-α-MSH were determined as N,O-diacetyl Ser1 and O-acetyl Tyr2. ► We investigated of the profile of α-MSH variants in the pituitary by direct tissue MALDI-TOF MS. ► The different compositions of α-MSH were observed in white-and black-background adapted fish.