Endocrine & Reproductive
Melanotan 2
Cyclic α-MSH analogue studied as a non-selective MC1R to MC5R agonist, covering eumelanin synthesis and central melanocortin signalling.
Also known asMT-2 · Melanotan II
Identity
Residue chain
One bead per amino acid residue, N-terminus to C-terminus. Long chains are shown truncated.
- Molecular weight
- 1024.2 Da
- Amino acid residues
- 7
- Half-life
- 2–3 h
- CAS number
- 121062-08-6
Monograph
Specifications
- Research area
- Endocrine & Reproductive
- Half-life
- 2–3 h
- Molecular weight
- 1024.2 Da
- Amino acid residues
- 7
- CAS number
- 121062-08-6
- Formula
- C₅₀H₆₉N₁₅O₉
- Mechanism of action
- Synthetic cyclic heptapeptide analogue of α-MSH with non-selective agonist activity at MC1R, MC3R, MC4R, and MC5R. Activates eumelanin synthesis in skin melanocytes via MC1R/cAMP/PKA cascade, and modulates appetite and energy balance centrally through MC3R and MC4R.
- Storage and handling
- Refrigerate at 2–8 °C after reconstitution. Protect from light.
Research focus
- 01Melanocortin receptor pharmacology (MC1R–MC5R selectivity)
- 02Skin pigmentation via MC1R/cAMP/PKA-mediated eumelanin synthesis
- 03Appetite suppression and energy balance through MC4R
- 04Melanocyte biology and photoprotection models
- 05Central melanocortin system modulation
Overview
Melanotan II is a synthetic cyclic analogue of α-MSH with non-selective agonist activity at MC1R, MC3R, MC4R and MC5R. Animal work covers eumelanin synthesis in melanocytes through the MC1R, cAMP and PKA cascade, photoprotection models, and the central melanocortin effects on feeding and sexual behaviour.