MELANOTAN II | Reference Standard

Synthetic Melanocortin Analog for Neuroendocrine & Melanocortin Receptor Research

Category:
Neuroendocrine Signaling • Melanocortin Receptor Biology • Appetite & Behavioral Regulation

What Researchers Study

Melanotan II (MT-II) is a synthetic cyclic peptide analog derived from α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH). Researchers study MT-II as a broad melanocortin receptor agonist, with activity across multiple melanocortin receptor subtypes.

In laboratory and preclinical models, MT-II is used to investigate central melanocortin signaling, including pathways involved in pigmentation biology, appetite regulation, neurobehavioral signaling, and neuroinflammatory modulation.

Primary Signal Pathways Studied

Research involving Melanotan II focuses on its interaction with:

• Melanocortin-1 receptor (MC1R) — pigmentation and melanocyte signaling

• Melanocortin-3 and Melanocortin-4 receptors (MC3R / MC4R) — appetite, energy balance, and neuroendocrine regulation

• Hypothalamic melanocortin circuits, integrating metabolic and behavioral signals

• Central nervous system melanocortin pathways, influencing arousal and behavioral modulation

• Neuroinflammatory signaling, intersecting with oxidative and glial pathways

Because MT-II is non-selective, it is primarily used as a systems-level melanocortin probe, not a targeted therapeutic analog.

Why This Peptide Is Studied

The melanocortin system regulates a wide range of physiological processes, including pigmentation, energy balance, and neurobehavioral integration. Studying these pathways requires ligands capable of engaging multiple receptor subtypes.

Melanotan II is studied because it allows researchers to:

• Examine global melanocortin receptor activation

• Explore central vs peripheral melanocortin effects

• Investigate how melanocortin signaling integrates metabolic and neural inputs

• Compare broad vs selective melanocortin agonism (e.g., MT-II vs α-MSH fragments)

This makes MT-II valuable in neuroendocrinology, metabolic signaling, and behavioral neuroscience research.

Research Areas of Interest

Melanocortin Receptor Biology

MT-II is widely used to characterize melanocortin receptor distribution, signaling bias, and downstream pathway activation.

Neuroendocrine & Behavioral Signaling

Research explores how melanocortin activation influences hypothalamic circuits involved in appetite, arousal, and behavioral regulation.

Metabolic & Energy-Balance Research

MT-II is examined in models investigating central regulation of energy intake and expenditure via melanocortin pathways.

Neuroinflammatory & Neuroprotective Research

Emerging studies investigate how melanocortin signaling influences glial activation, oxidative stress, and neurodegenerative processes.

Selected Scientific References

• Kotz et al., Journal of Endocrinology — Melanocortin regulation of feeding and energy balance

• Cone, Nature Neuroscience — Anatomy and physiology of melanocortin pathways

• Thiele et al., Pharmacology Biochemistry and Behavior — Melanocortin signaling and behavior

• Giuliani et al., Scientific Reports — Melanocortin receptor activation and neuroinflammation

(References provided for educational context and literature navigation.)

Product Specifications

• Compound Name: Melanotan II (MT-II)

• CAS Number: 121062-08-6

• Molecular Formula: C₅₀H₆₉N₁₅O₉

• Amino Acid Sequence: Ac-Nle-cyclo[Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Lys]-NH₂

• Molecular Weight: 1,024.18 Da

• Purity: ≥98% (HPLC verified; may include stabilizing components)

• Form: Lyophilized powder

• Appearance: White to off-white solid

• Storage: ≤ –20 °C, desiccated, protected from light

Batch Documentation & Traceability

Each vial is shipped with a lot-specific QR code that provides secure access to batch documentation, including:

• Certificate of Analysis (COA)
• Identity verification report (HPLC / MS)
• Lot number, potency, and expiration

Documentation is locked to the specific batch shipped to ensure traceability, version control, and research reproducibility.

QR access is provided with the physical product and is not reused across lots.

Research Use Disclaimer

This product is supplied strictly for laboratory research and in-vitro or preclinical investigation.
Not for human or veterinary use.
Not for diagnostic, therapeutic, cosmetic, or consumptive applications.