Melanotan II Peptide | Melanocortin Research
RESEARCH PEPTIDE

Melanotan II Peptide | Melanocortin Research

Melanocortin Receptor Agonist — Research Peptide
$49.00
Melanotan II is a cyclic melanocortin analogue supplied as a lyophilized laboratory reference material for melanocortin-receptor research. Research use only. Not for human or veterinary use.
✓ Scientific Identity Established
⏳ Laboratory Testing In Progress
⏳ Batch Documentation Pending
✓ Research Use Only
✓ U.S. Fulfillment
In Laboratory Testing
Lot Verification Variant-specific documentation
Traceable Lots VBL lot identification
Primary Literature Peer-reviewed sources
Research Use Only Laboratory research materials

Scientific Specifications

Reference characteristics for laboratory research materials.

CAS Number
121062-08-6
Purity
≥98%
Molecular Formula
C50H69N15O9
Molecular Weight
1024.18
Appearance
White lyophilized powder
Storage
-20°C
Research Classification
Research Use Only (RUO). Not for human or veterinary use.

SCIENTIFIC OVERVIEW

Scientific background and research classification for this laboratory reference material.

Melanotan II (MT-II) is a synthetic cyclic heptapeptide melanocortin-receptor agonist with the structure Ac-Nle-cyclo[Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Lys]-NH2, an analog of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (alpha-MSH). It is supplied as a lyophilized peptide reference material for laboratory research use only.

As a research material, MT-II is studied for its pharmacology at the melanocortin receptors, principally the melanocortin-1 receptor (MC1R) and melanocortin-4 receptor (MC4R). It is a distinct molecular entity from the closely related C-terminal free-acid analog PT-141 (bremelanotide) and from the endogenous melanocortin peptides.

Primary Research Category
Pigmentation & Receptor Biology
Material Type
Lyophilized Peptide
Intended Use
Laboratory Research
Research Categories
Melanocortin Biology Receptor Pharmacology Receptor Binding Mechanism of Action

Mechanism of Action

Molecular interaction profile describing how this research material engages receptor systems and influences downstream biological signaling pathways.

MT-II is reported to act as a non-selective agonist across melanocortin receptors, with melanocortin-1-receptor (MC1R) activation associated with pigmentary pharmacology and melanocortin-4-receptor (MC4R) activation associated with central-nervous-system effects reported in animal models (Weirath & Haskell-Luevano, 2024; Eliason et al., 2022). These are receptor- and systems-level pharmacological characterizations; signaling beyond receptor agonism is not asserted here as additional molecular targets.

Molecular Targets
  • Melanocortin-1 Receptor (MC1R)
  • Melanocortin-4 Receptor (MC4R)
Primary Organ Systems
  • Integumentary System
  • Central Nervous System

Research Documentation

Laboratory documentation is presented when available for the selected product specification and current lot.

In Laboratory Testing
Laboratory Documentation In Progress

Laboratory documentation for the current lot is being completed.

Scientific References
Peer-Reviewed Literature

Explore published literature, clinical investigations, and foundational scientific research.

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Laboratory Resources
Technical Guidance

Storage guidance, handling recommendations, analytical methods, and laboratory best practices.

Related Research
Companion Materials

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Research Center

Scientific literature, laboratory resources, and related materials curated to support research involving this research material.

Scientific References
Peer-Reviewed Literature

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Scientific Dossier
Deeper Technical Treatment

Comprehensive scientific documentation including literature review, mechanism, pharmacology, and study data for this research material.

Laboratory Resources
Technical Guidance

Storage guidance, handling information, analytical standards, research policies, and laboratory support documentation.

Research Library

Curated peer-reviewed literature selected to provide scientific context for this research material.

Review Article•Peptides• 2006

Melanocortin peptide therapeutics: Historical milestones, clinical studies and commercialization

Historical review of melanocortin peptide development by the originators of the melanotan program, covering milestones, clinical studies, and commercialization of melanocortin peptides including Melanotan II.
Velora Research Insight
Founding/historical context for MT-II as a melanocortin peptide (Hadley/Dorr originator lineage). Cited as scientific/historical context, not a therapeutic or cosmetic representation.
PubMed →DOI →
Structural Biology•Cell Research• 2021

Structural mechanism of calcium-mediated hormone recognition and Gβ interaction by the human melanocortin-1 receptor

Structural study of the human melanocortin-1 receptor (MC1R) elucidating calcium-mediated hormone recognition and G-protein interaction, providing mechanistic context for melanocortin-receptor agonism.
Velora Research Insight
Independent MC1R structural-mechanism anchor for melanocortin agonism. Model/structure-level evidence, not an MT-II target-binding claim.
PubMed →DOI →
Review Article•ACS Pharmacology & Translational Science• 2024

Recommended Tool Compounds for the Melanocortin Receptor (MCR) G Protein-Coupled Receptors (GPCRs)

Independent guidance on recommended tool compounds for studying the melanocortin-receptor GPCRs, contextualizing melanocortin agonists as research tool compounds for receptor pharmacology.
Velora Research Insight
Independent tool-compound pharmacology reference (Haskell-Luevano melanocortin lab) framing melanocortin agonists as research tools — directly supports the RUO research-tool positioning.
PubMed →DOI →
Preclinical Study•Neuropeptides• 2022

Melanocortin receptor agonist melanotan-II microinjected in the nucleus accumbens decreases appetitive and consummatory responding

Preclinical rodent study reporting that melanotan-II microinjected into the nucleus accumbens decreased appetitive and consummatory responding, characterizing central melanocortin-agonist pharmacology in an animal model.
Velora Research Insight
Independent MT-II-specific preclinical behavioral/CNS pharmacology (Low lab). Model-specific animal evidence, framed to its model and evidence level.
PubMed →DOI →