Performance / Melanocortin
Melanotan II
A cyclic heptapeptide melanocortin receptor agonist studied for central signalling pathways.
- Research domain
- Performance
- Presentation
- 10 mg / vial
- Assayed purity
- ≥ 99% by HPLC
- Evidence base
- Established
Also designatedMT-2 · Melanotan 2 · MT2 · Melanocortin analogue
Quick facts
- Purity specification
- ≥ 99% by HPLC
- Physical form
- Lyophilised powder
- Presentation
- 10 mg / vial
- Evidence base
- Established
- Intended use
- Laboratory research only
Research overview
How it is characterised
Melanotan II is a synthetic cyclic lactam heptapeptide analogue of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone. The literature characterises it as a non-selective agonist across melanocortin receptor subtypes, with reported activity at MC1R, MC3R, MC4R and MC5R, and examines the cyclic architecture as the basis for both receptor affinity and resistance to enzymatic cleavage.
Mechanism
Described as engaging melanocortin receptors with the conformational constraint of the cyclic lactam bridge holding the pharmacophore in an active orientation. Published work examines MC1R engagement in melanocyte preparations and MC3R and MC4R engagement in hypothalamic models, and treats the lack of subtype selectivity as the defining feature of the molecule.
Applications
- Melanocortin system research
- Receptor subtype profiling
- Cyclic peptide structure-activity investigation
- Central nervous system model studies
Research focus
Areas of published investigation
The following describe where this compound has been examined in the scientific literature. They are not claims of effect, and nothing here should be read as a therapeutic indication.
- 01Melanocortin receptor agonism
- 02Receptor subtype selectivity profiling
- 03Cyclic peptide conformational constraint
- 04Melanogenesis pathway characterisation
Research compatibility
Frequently co-studied
Compounds that appear alongside Melanotan II in the published record, and the reason the literature examines them together.
Molecular & pharmacokinetic data
The physical record
Verify every figure against the certificate of analysis for the batch you hold. Where the label and the assay disagree, the assay is the number to calculate from.
- CAS number
- 121062-08-6
- Molecular formula
- C₅₀H₆₉N₁₅O₉
- Molar mass
- ≈ 1024.18 g/mol
- Sequence
- Ac-Nle-cyclo[Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Lys]-NH₂
- Reported half-life
- ≈ 1–2 h (reported)
- Solubility
- Soluble in bacteriostatic water
Storage
Store lyophilised at −20 °C, protected from light and moisture. Following reconstitution, hold at 2–8 °C and use within the interval stated on the batch certificate of analysis.
Handling
Allow the vial to reach ambient temperature before breaking the seal so atmospheric moisture does not condense onto the cake. Introduce diluent slowly against the vial wall rather than directly onto the powder, and swirl rather than shake. Avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles; aliquot where a preparation will be drawn on more than once.
Packaging
Amber borosilicate vial with butyl stopper and aluminium crimp seal, presented in a matte debossed box with die-cut foam insert and magnetic closure.
Selected references
The published record
A starting point rather than a survey. Entries are listed for orientation and do not constitute endorsement of any interpretation drawn from them.
- 01Cyclic lactam analogues of alpha-MSHJournal of Medicinal Chemistry, 1989
- 02Melanocortin receptor subtypes and ligand selectivityBritish Journal of Pharmacology, 2010
- 03Cyclic peptide constraint and receptor affinityJournal of Medicinal Chemistry, 2017
This catalogue is presented for informational purposes only. It is not an offer of sale, and it makes no medical or therapeutic claim.
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Enquiries
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