Melanotan 2 (MT-II) 10mg Peptide

Chemical diagram for Melanotan 2 by Vaccinationist – PubChem, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=53052278

KEY SPECIFICATIONS

PRODUCT OVERVIEW

Melanotan 2 (MT-II) is a synthetic cyclic heptapeptide and potent non-selective melanocortin receptor agonist. Developed as a structurally modified analogue of α-MSH, MT-II features a cyclic lactam bridge conferring enhanced receptor affinity and proteolytic stability compared to linear peptides.

Unlike the selective MC3R/MC4R agonist PT-141, MT-II activates MC1R (pigmentation), MC3R, MC4R, and MC5R simultaneously—making it valuable for broad melanocortin system activation studies but unsuitable for pathway-specific investigations. BIONIX supplies research-grade Melanotan 2 with ≥99% purity for receptor binding, signal transduction, and neuroendocrine signaling research.

MECHANISM OF ACTION

Melanotan 2 binds as a non-selective agonist to melanocortin receptors MC1R, MC3R, MC4R, and MC5R. These G-protein-coupled receptors activate adenylyl cyclase upon ligand binding, leading to elevated intracellular cAMP and downstream PKA activation.

Melanocortin Receptor Activation Profile:

Key Distinction: MT-II’s non-selectivity produces concurrent activation of multiple pathways—unlike PT-141 which was optimized for MC3R/MC4R selectivity with minimal MC1R activity.

Signaling Cascade:

MT-II Binding → Gαs Activation → Adenylyl Cyclase → 
cAMP Elevation → PKA Activation → CREB Phosphorylation → Gene Transcription

Beyond the classical Gs-cAMP-PKA pathway, melanocortin receptors initiate β-arrestin-mediated signals contributing to receptor desensitization and MAP kinase activation.

Comparative Profile:

RESEARCH APPLICATIONS

Signal Transduction Studies: Investigation of Gs-protein-mediated adenylyl cyclase activation, receptor desensitization mechanisms, β-arrestin recruitment, and alternative signaling pathways. MT-II serves as a pharmacological probe for real-time cAMP dynamics using fluorescence-based biosensors.

Peptide-Receptor Pharmacology: Structure-activity relationship research including binding pocket characterization, systematic amino acid modification, pharmacophore mapping (His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp core), and receptor selectivity determinants.

Energy Homeostasis Research: Analysis of appetite control and metabolic function through hypothalamic MC3R/MC4R activation. Investigation of POMC processing, neuropeptide release, and integration of metabolic signals with CNS control centers.

Melanocortin System Mapping: Characterization of specific receptor subtype contributions to physiological processes, temporal dynamics of receptor activation, and cellular function mapping in hypothalamic neurons.

Pigmentation Biology: MC1R activation studies investigating melanogenesis, melanocyte biology, eumelanin synthesis pathways, and UV-independent pigmentation mechanisms.

Neuroendocrine Research: Studies on melanocortinergic signaling in hypothalamic-pituitary circuits, stress responses, circadian rhythms, and immune system interactions.

ANALYTICAL VERIFICATION

BIONIX Melanotan 2 undergoes comprehensive analytical characterization:

• HPLC Analysis: ≥99% purity confirmation via optimized chromatographic separation
• Mass Spectrometry: Molecular weight verification (1024.2 Da) and identity confirmation
• Peptide Content: Amino acid analysis for accurate quantification
• Endotoxin Testing: Laboratory quality assurance

Physical Characteristics:

DEVELOPMENT STATUS

Melanotan 2 has never received regulatory approval from any health authority:

• FDA Status: Not approved; unapproved drug
• EMA Status: Not approved; warnings issued
• TGA (Australia): Warnings against use
• MHRA (UK): Warnings against use
• Research Status: Laboratory research compound only
• WADA Classification: Prohibited substance

Regulatory agencies cite unapproved drug status, unknown purity from unregulated sources, potential serious health risks, and lack of clinical safety data.

BIONIX Melanotan 2 is supplied exclusively for laboratory research purposes—not for therapeutic use, human administration, or clinical applications.

FREQUENTLY ENCOUNTERED INQUIRIES

How does Melanotan 2 differ from PT-141?
Both share the same cyclic heptapeptide core sequence, but PT-141 was structurally optimized to minimize MC1R activation (tanning effects) while preserving MC3R/MC4R activity. MT-II is non-selective, activating MC1R, MC3R, MC4R, and MC5R simultaneously. PT-141 is FDA-approved (Vyleesi); MT-II remains unapproved worldwide.

Which melanocortin receptors does MT-II activate?
MT-II demonstrates strong agonist activity at MC1R (skin), MC3R (hypothalamus/limbic), MC4R (hypothalamus/spinal cord), and moderate activity at MC5R (exocrine glands). No significant activity at MC2R (adrenal cortex).

What are the primary research applications?
Signal transduction and GPCR research, peptide-receptor pharmacology studies, energy homeostasis and appetite regulation research, melanocortin system mapping, pigmentation biology, and neuroendocrine signaling investigations. All applications limited to controlled laboratory environments.

How stable is lyophilized Melanotan 2?
With proper storage at -20°C, lyophilized MT-II demonstrates excellent long-term stability. The cyclic lactam structure confers increased resistance to proteolytic degradation compared to linear analogues like α-MSH.

What storage conditions are required?
Lyophilized powder requires -20°C storage for long-term stability. Post-reconstitution, store at 2-8°C and use within 7 days. For extended storage of reconstituted solution, prepare aliquots and freeze at -20°C, avoiding repeated freeze-thaw cycles.

Is Melanotan 2 approved for therapeutic use?
Negative. MT-II has never received regulatory approval from any health authority worldwide (FDA, EMA, TGA, MHRA). Health agencies have issued warnings against its use. This product is intended exclusively for laboratory research.

References

1. Hadley ME et al., “Discovery and development of novel melanocortin ligands,” Peptides, 1996;17(4):593-596. PMID: 8804068
2. Mountjoy KG et al., “The cloning of a family of genes that encode the melanocortin receptors,” Endocr Rev, 1994;15(2):135-155. PMID: 8026233
3. Hruby VJ et al., “Cyclic lactam alpha-melanotropin analogues of Ac-Nle4-cyclo[Asp5, D-Phe7,Lys10] alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone-(4-10)-NH2 with bulky aromatic amino acids at position 7 show high antagonist potency and selectivity at specific melanocortin receptors,” Peptides, 2000;21(3):423-438. PMID: 10793226