MELANOTAN-2

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Melanotan 2 is a synthetic cyclic peptide analogue of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH), and it is chemically distinct from Melanotan 1. Where Melanotan 1 is a linear 13-amino-acid chain, Melanotan 2 is a shortened seven-residue sequence closed into a ring by a lactam bridge between an aspartic acid and a lysine residue. That cyclization locks the peptide into a rigid, compact shape — which makes it more stable and more potent than native α-MSH, but also strips away much of the receptor discrimination that the larger molecule retains.

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Purity guarantee. If an independent assay of your lot returns below the purity stated on its certificate, we replace the order or refund it in full — no return shipment required.

Sold for laboratory research and further manufacturing use only. Not a drug, food, cosmetic, or dietary supplement. Not for human or veterinary use, and not for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes. Buyer is responsible for compliance with all applicable regulations.

Lyophilized Research Compound

Technical Overview

The melanocortin system has five receptor subtypes, and they do very different jobs. Melanotan 1 acts primarily at MC1R, the pigment receptor on melanocytes. Melanotan 2 is a non-selective agonist: it activates MC1R, but also MC3R, MC4R, and MC5R.

That broader footprint explains the full range of reported effects. MC1R activation drives melanogenesis, which is why Melanotan 2 is associated with faster and more intense pigmentation than Melanotan 1. MC4R activation in the hypothalamus is linked to appetite suppression and to erectile response — including the spontaneous erections widely reported with Melanotan 2. MC3R is involved in energy homeostasis, and MC5R in sebaceous and exocrine gland function. In other words, the same lack of selectivity that makes Melanotan 2 potent is also what produces its wider side-effect profile: nausea, facial flushing, appetite loss, and darkening of existing moles.

Purity: ≥99% by HPLC
CAS Number: 121062-08-6
Molecular Formula: C₅₀H₆₉N₁₅O₉
Molecular Weight: 1024.18 g/mol
Amino Acid Count: 7
Sequence: Ac-Nle-cyclo[Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Lys]-NH2
Synonyms: MT-2; cyclic α-MSH analogue
Physical Form: Lyophilized powder
Solubility: Soluble in bacteriostatic water; consult the product COA for specific solvent recommendations.
Storage: Store lyophilized at -20°C; protect from light and moisture. Reconstitute with bacteriostatic water; refrigerate reconstituted solution at 2-8°C.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Melanotan-2?

Melanotan-2 is a synthetic cyclic heptapeptide analog of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone, also written MT-2. It is supplied in 10mg vials as a reference compound for laboratory research only.

What is the structure of Melanotan-2?

Melanotan-2 is a cyclic seven-residue peptide, Ac-Nle-cyclo[Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Lys]-NH2, with the molecular formula C50H69N15O9, a molecular weight of 1024.18, and CAS number 121062-08-6. The lactam bridge between Asp and Lys creates the ring.

What receptors does Melanotan-2 bind?

Melanotan-2 is a non-selective melanocortin agonist, activating MC1R, MC3R, MC4R, and MC5R. This broad receptor footprint is its defining pharmacological characteristic.

What do the different melanocortin receptors do?

MC1R activation on melanocytes drives melanogenesis. MC3R is involved in energy homeostasis, MC4R in hypothalamic appetite and arousal signaling, and MC5R in sebaceous and exocrine gland function. The five-receptor system is why selectivity matters so much in this peptide family.

What is the difference between Melanotan-2 and Melanotan-1?

Melanotan-1 is linear, 13 residues, and acts primarily at MC1R. Melanotan-2 is cyclic, 7 residues, and non-selective across four receptor subtypes. The same lack of selectivity that broadens Melanotan-2 activity is what makes it the less targeted of the two in receptor studies.

What is the difference between Melanotan-2 and PT-141?

PT-141, or bremelanotide, is the C-terminal deamidated metabolite of Melanotan-2. The two share the cyclic core but differ in receptor activity profile, with Melanotan-2 showing stronger MC1R activity associated with pigmentation pathways.

Why is Melanotan-2 cyclic?

The side-chain lactam bridge between aspartic acid and lysine locks the peptide into a constrained ring. Cyclization improves both receptor binding and resistance to enzymatic degradation compared with a linear sequence.

What is Melanotan-2 used for in research?

Common applications include melanocortin receptor binding and selectivity assays, cAMP signaling studies across MC1R through MC5R, melanogenesis models, and comparative work against Melanotan-1 and PT-141.

What form is Melanotan-2 supplied in?

Melanotan-2 ships as a lyophilized powder in a sealed vial. It is soluble in bacteriostatic water; consult the certificate of analysis for the solvent recommendations that apply to your lot.

What purity is Melanotan-2 supplied at?

Purity is 99% or greater as verified by HPLC. Lot-specific results are reported on the certificate of analysis accompanying each vial, and that figure is what our purity guarantee is measured against.

How should Melanotan-2 be stored?

Store the lyophilized vial at -20 degrees Celsius, protected from light and moisture. Once reconstituted with bacteriostatic water, refrigerate the solution at 2-8 degrees Celsius and follow your laboratory's established protocols.

How is the vial shipped?

Orders leave the same business day when placed before 2pm EST, in an insulated mailer with a phase-change pack. Shipping is free on orders over $150.

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