
01The PureChain Standard
Purity And Documentation
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Every vial is labelled with its compound, vial size and molecular weight, and ships for laboratory research use only. Third-party testing details will be published here.
Supplied for in-vitro laboratory research only. Not for human or veterinary use, and not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
- Size
- 10mg
- Form
- Lyophilized powder
- Storage
- −20 °C, protected from light
- Molar mass
- 1024.2 Da
About This Compound
About Melanotan II
Melanotan II is a synthetic, ring-closed analog of alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone (α-MSH), the signalling peptide the body uses to switch on pigment production. Closing the molecule into a cyclic lactam and substituting a D-phenylalanine makes it far more resistant to enzymatic breakdown than the natural hormone, which is why it is used as a stable pharmacological tool for studying the melanocortin receptor family.
Cyclic Heptapeptide Melanocortin (α-MSH) Analog
Molecular Formula
Molecular Weight
Form
CAS Number
02Molecular Structure
The Melanotan II molecule
An illustrative atomic representation generated from the compound record, alongside its verified molecular data. The structure figure is schematic – not a measured conformation.
- C
- H
- N
- O
- S/P
Molecular data from the public PubChem record (CID 92432). View on PubChem
By The Numbers
Melanotan II Research, By The Numbers
The figures that define Melanotan II and how it is being studied. For laboratory research use only.
Amino Acids
Cyclic heptapeptide (α-MSH analog)
MC1R Binding Affinity
Competitive binding at the human MC1 receptor, as reported in published studies
Year First Described
Designed at the University of Arizona as a cyclic lactam analog of α-MSH
Research Areas
- Melanogenesis Research
- Appetite And Metabolic Research
- Arousal Pathway Models
- Receptor Pharmacology
How It Works
How Melanotan II Works
The pathways Melanotan II acts on, and what each one does. Described from preclinical and receptor-pharmacology literature.
MC1R Signalling And Melanogenesis
Melanotan II activates MC1R on melanocytes. Receptor activation raises intracellular cAMP and drives the synthesis of eumelanin, the brown-black pigment, which is why the compound is used to study pigmentation independently of UV exposure.
- Agonism at MC1R drives eumelanin synthesis
- Signals through the adenylyl cyclase / cAMP / PKA cascade
- Pigment production is measured in models without UV exposure
Central Melanocortin Pathways
Binding at MC4R in the hypothalamus places Melanotan II in the circuitry that regulates feeding behaviour and arousal. MC4R knockout studies are what established these pathways, and MTII is a standard probe for them.
- MC4R activation reduces food intake in animal models
- Acts on hypothalamic energy-expenditure circuits
- Direct precursor to the selective analog PT-141 (bremelanotide)
Non-Selective Pan-Melanocortin Agonism
Unlike its derivative PT-141, Melanotan II is non-selective: it activates melanocortin receptors MC1R through MC5R with differing affinities. That breadth is what makes it useful for mapping the receptor family, and what makes its effects hard to isolate.
- Binds MC1R, MC3R, MC4R and MC5R
- Reported as roughly 1000× more potent than endogenous α-MSH at MC receptors
- The cyclic D-Phe substitution confers metabolic resistance
Uses And Applications
What Melanotan II Is Researched For
The main areas Melanotan II is studied in, and the qualitative magnitudes reported alongside them.
Melanogenesis Research
Research into MC1R-driven melanin synthesis, including UV-independent pigmentation and photoprotection models. Used as a pharmacological tool to separate receptor-driven pigment production from UV-driven pigment production.
Melanocortin Energy Balance
A standard tool compound in metabolic and energy-homeostasis research. In rodent models, MC4R activation is associated with reduced food intake and altered energy expenditure.
Arousal Pathway Models
Preclinical work using MTII as a non-selective melanocortin probe contributed to the identification of melanocortin-mediated arousal pathways, which led to the development of the selective analog PT-141.
Receptor Pharmacology
As a potent non-selective agonist, MTII is used in binding studies, structure-activity relationship work and receptor-mapping across the MC1R–MC5R family.
Compound Information
Full Specification
| Chemical Name | Melanotan II (MTII) |
|---|---|
| Sequence | Ac-Nle-cyclo[Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Lys]-NH₂ |
| Molecular Weight | 1024.2 Da |
| Molecular Formula | C50H69N15O9 |
| CAS Number | 121062-08-6 |
| Form | Lyophilized powder |
| Solubility | Water-soluble |
| Storage | Store lyophilized at −20 °C, protected from light and moisture |
| Vial Size | 10mg |
FAQ
Common Questions About Melanotan II
What Is Melanotan II?
Melanotan II (MTII) is a synthetic cyclic heptapeptide analog of alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone (α-MSH). It was developed at the University of Arizona in the late 1980s as a stable, potent probe for the melanocortin receptor system.
How Does Melanotan II Differ From PT-141?
PT-141 (bremelanotide) is derived from Melanotan II by chemical modification. The difference is selectivity: Melanotan II is a non-selective agonist across MC1R–MC5R, while PT-141 is far more selective for MC3R/MC4R.
Is Melanotan II Approved For Human Use?
No. Melanotan II has not been approved by the FDA, Health Canada, the EMA or any other regulatory authority for human use. It is supplied strictly as a research chemical for in-vitro laboratory work.
What Is The Melanocortin System?
The melanocortin system is a family of five G protein-coupled receptors (MC1R to MC5R) that respond to endogenous ligands including α-MSH. They sit behind pigmentation, energy balance, inflammation and arousal signalling, which is why a non-selective agonist is a useful tool for mapping them.
What Safety Considerations Apply To Melanotan II Research?
Because MTII acts broadly across the melanocortin receptors, researchers and regulators have raised concerns about its effects on melanocytic tissue and about unregulated use. It is not approved for human use in any jurisdiction and should be handled only under appropriate laboratory controls.
How Should Research-Grade Melanotan II Be Stored?
Lyophilized Melanotan II should be stored at −20 °C, protected from light and moisture. The cyclic structure with its D-phenylalanine substitution gives it greater stability than linear α-MSH, but the powder should still be kept cold and dry until reconstitution.
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Not for human or veterinary use. For in-vitro laboratory research only. These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA or Health Canada; this product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.