Research At a Glance
- Research Category
- Melanocortin Receptor Research
- Peptide Length
- 7 amino acids (cyclic α-MSH analogue)
- Purity
- ≥ 99% (HPLC)
- Published Studies
- ~240 indexed
- Storage
- Lyophilized: 2–8 °C, protected from light. Reconstituted: 2–8 °C, use within 30 days.
Published-study figures are approximate PubMed result counts and indicate the volume of available literature only. Purity reflects third-party analytical testing on the corresponding lot; see the Quality Assurance Center for lot-matched certificates.
What Is Melanotan II?
Melanotan II (MT-II) is a synthetic cyclic analog of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH), originally developed for research into melanogenesis (pigmentation) pathways. MT-II is studied as a broad-spectrum melanocortin receptor agonist, engaging multiple receptor subtypes with relevance to pigmentation, appetite regulation, and neuroendocrine signaling research.
Why Researchers Study It
- Melanocortin receptor pharmacology — MT-II is studied for its activity across multiple melanocortin receptor subtypes (MC1R, MC3R, MC4R), making it a broad research tool for understanding receptor-specific versus pan-receptor signaling effects
- Pigmentation pathway research — as an MC1R agonist, MT-II is a reference compound for studying melanogenesis mechanisms in dermal research models
- Precursor to selective compounds — MT-II's broad receptor activity profile led to the development of more selective melanocortin research compounds, making it a foundational reference point in structure-activity relationship research within this peptide class
- Energy homeostasis and neuroendocrine signaling — MC4R activation is studied in relation to autonomic tone and energy balance regulation in preclinical neuroscience research
What the Published Literature Shows
Early research into MT-II's melanocortin receptor activity documented its engagement with multiple receptor subtypes, distinguishing it from more selective compounds later developed from its structure. Research has established that MT-II's non-selective activity profile — engaging MC1R alongside MC3R and MC4R — produces broader physiological effects than receptor-selective analogs, a distinction that has informed subsequent structure-activity relationship research in the melanocortin peptide class. This research lineage directly informed the development of more selective melanocortin receptor research compounds with reduced MC1R activity relative to MC3R/MC4R engagement.
Source
Review literature available via PubMed — melanocortin receptor agonist research .
Compound Specifications
| Classification | Synthetic α-MSH analog, melanocortin receptor agonist |
|---|---|
| Molecular target | MC1R, MC3R, MC4R |
| Format | Lyophilized powder |
| Purity | ≥99% (HPLC-verified per lot) |
| Storage | −20°C; refrigerate 2–8°C after laboratory handling |
Certificate of Analysis
Every lot is independently tested and lot-matched. View Certificates of Analysis