Melanotan II 10 mg

Research Focus: Melanocortin Signaling · Melanogenesis · Pigmentation Biology
Compound Class: Synthetic Cyclic Melanocortin Receptor Agonist

Mechanism of Action

Melanotan II (MT-II) is a synthetic cyclic peptide analog derived from α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH), an endogenous signaling peptide involved in the melanocortin system.

MT-II functions as a non-selective melanocortin receptor agonist, interacting with several receptor subtypes, particularly MC1R, MC3R, MC4R and MC5R.

Its activity at the melanocortin-1 receptor (MC1R) is particularly relevant to pigmentation research. MC1R is a G protein-coupled receptor expressed prominently on melanocytes; activation stimulates Gs-mediated signaling, increasing adenylyl cyclase activity and intracellular cAMP.

Increased cAMP activates downstream signaling involving protein kinase A (PKA) and transcriptional regulators including microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF). MITF subsequently regulates expression of melanogenic enzymes, including tyrosinase.

MT-II also interacts with centrally expressed MC3R and MC4R, accounting for its broader use in experimental research involving melanocortin-mediated neural and neuroendocrine pathways.

Product Overview

Melanotan II 10 mg is a synthetic cyclic melanocortin peptide developed from research involving the naturally occurring hormone α-MSH, which is derived from the precursor protein proopiomelanocortin (POMC).

MT-II was engineered as a more stable melanocortin analog with increased resistance to enzymatic degradation compared with endogenous α-MSH.

Its ability to interact with multiple melanocortin receptor subtypes has made MT-II an important experimental molecule for studying melanogenesis, pigmentation signaling, MC1R pharmacology and melanocortin receptor structure-activity relationships.

Primary Biological Targets & Pathways

• Melanocortin-1 receptor (MC1R)
• Melanocortin-3 receptor (MC3R)
• Melanocortin-4 receptor (MC4R)
• Melanocortin-5 receptor (MC5R)
• Gs protein signaling
• Adenylyl cyclase
• Cyclic AMP (cAMP)
• Protein kinase A (PKA)
• MITF signaling
• Tyrosinase regulation
• Melanin biosynthesis
• Central melanocortin pathways

Primary Research Applications

Melanotan II has been investigated in research involving:

• Melanocortin receptor pharmacology
• MC1R signaling
• Melanogenesis
• Pigmentation biology
• Melanocyte physiology
• Melanin biosynthesis
• α-MSH analog research
• MC3R/MC4R signaling
• Central melanocortin pathways
• Neuroendocrine signaling
• POMC-derived peptide biology

Scientific Evidence

Evidence Level: ★★★☆☆ (3 of 5)

Melanotan II has been investigated through molecular, cellular, animal and limited human research. Its activity as a melanocortin receptor agonist and its effects on melanocortin signaling are well characterized.

However, MT-II has not received FDA approval as a therapeutic agent, and its clinical evidence base is considerably more limited than that of approved melanocortin-related pharmaceuticals.

MT-II should not be confused with afamelanotide, a different α-MSH analog that has undergone formal pharmaceutical development and regulatory approval for a specific indication.

Research Highlights

Published research has established that Melanotan II:

• Is a synthetic cyclic analog derived from α-MSH research.
• Functions as a melanocortin receptor agonist.
• Activates MC1R-associated signaling in melanocytes.
• Influences MITF-associated melanogenic signaling.
• Interacts with centrally expressed MC3R and MC4R in addition to MC1R.
• Served as an important precursor in the development of other melanocortin compounds, including PT-141.

Melanotan II vs. Melanotan I

The names are similar, but the compounds should not be presented as interchangeable. Melanotan II is a synthetic cyclic α-MSH analog with broad melanocortin receptor activity and is not FDA approved. Melanotan I / afamelanotide-related peptides are linear α-MSH analogs with greater emphasis on MC1R signaling, a different molecular structure, and a different regulatory history.

Research Use Disclaimer

For Laboratory Research Use Only.

This product is intended exclusively for scientific, analytical, and laboratory research. Information presented describes the compound’s molecular biology and findings reported in scientific literature, and should not be interpreted as instructions for administration or as expected outcomes in individuals.

This product is not intended for human consumption, therapeutic administration, diagnosis, treatment, cure, or prevention of disease.

References

• Dorr RT, et al. Research examining synthetic melanocortin analogs and pigmentation biology.
• Hadley ME, et al. Research on melanotropic peptides and melanocortin receptor pharmacology.
• Hruby VJ, et al. Structure-activity research involving cyclic α-MSH analogs and Melanotan II.
• Mountjoy KG, et al. Characterization and molecular biology of melanocortin receptors.
• Peer-reviewed literature examining MC1R, α-MSH, MITF signaling and melanogenesis.