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Melanotan 2 research peptide

Research Overview

Melanotan 2

Cyclic alpha-MSH analogue · 10 mg lyophilised

CoA on requestPurity CoAResearch use only

In 60 seconds

Melanotan II (MT-II) is a synthetic cyclic lactam heptapeptide analogue of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (alpha-MSH), designed at the University of Arizona as an enzymatically resistant, long-acting melanocortin.

  • A review tracing the design of the superpotent, enzymatically resistant melanocortin analogues melanotan I and melanotan II.
  • Replacing the lactam cyclisation of MT-II with xylene-derived thioether linkers produced analogues with altered human melanocortin-receptor affinity and selectivity.
  • An LC/MS/MS method quantified MT-II in rat plasma to 5 ng/mL, allowing pharmacokinetic parameters to be measured after intravenous administration in rats.

OVERVIEW

Melanotan 2 (Cyclic alpha-MSH analogue · 10 mg lyophilised) is a research-grade peptide supplied by Living Water Labs for laboratory investigation. Synthetic cyclic heptapeptide analogue of alpha-MSH, 10 mg lyophilised powder per vial.. Each published certificate is an independent Janoshik Analytical report naming the compound and its HPLC purity; certificates not yet published can be requested. The summary below outlines documented mechanisms and study areas reported in the research literature.

Scientific name

Ac-Nle-cyclo[Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Lys]-NH2

Molecular weight

1024.2 g/mol

Vial size

10mg

DOCUMENTED RESEARCH AREAS

  • ▸Synthetic cyclic lactam heptapeptide analogue of alpha-MSH
  • ▸Lactam bridge and D-Phe substitution for resistance to enzymatic degradation
  • ▸Non-selective agonist across the MC1R, MC3R, MC4R and MC5R receptors in binding studies
  • ▸Reference ligand and parent scaffold in melanocortin structure-activity research
  • ▸10 mg lyophilised vial — supplied for laboratory research use only

MECHANISM OF ACTION

Melanotan II (MT-II) is a synthetic cyclic lactam heptapeptide analogue of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (alpha-MSH), designed at the University of Arizona as an enzymatically resistant, long-acting melanocortin. It is a potent but non-selective agonist across the melanocortin receptor family (MC1R, MC3R, MC4R and MC5R), which makes it a common reference ligand in melanocortin receptor pharmacology and a parent scaffold for newer, more selective analogues.

  • ▸Cyclic lactam analogue of alpha-MSH, engineered for resistance to enzymatic degradation
  • ▸Non-selective agonist across the human melanocortin receptors in binding studies
  • ▸Used as a parent scaffold in structure-activity work on receptor-selective analogues

STUDY SUMMARIES

4 peer-reviewed references

Peptides · 2006

Melanocortin peptide therapeutics: historical milestones, clinical studies and commercialization

A review tracing the design of the superpotent, enzymatically resistant melanocortin analogues melanotan I and melanotan II.

View on PubMed (PMID 16412534)

J Med Chem · 2022

CLIPSing Melanotan-II to Discover Multiple Functionally Selective hMCR Agonists

Replacing the lactam cyclisation of MT-II with xylene-derived thioether linkers produced analogues with altered human melanocortin-receptor affinity and selectivity.

View on PubMed (PMID 35188390)

Rapid Commun Mass Spectrom · 2002

Determination of melanotan-II in rat plasma by liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry: determination of pharmacokinetic parameters in rat following intravenous administration

An LC/MS/MS method quantified MT-II in rat plasma to 5 ng/mL, allowing pharmacokinetic parameters to be measured after intravenous administration in rats.

View on PubMed (PMID 12415547)

Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab · 2018

Melanotan II causes hypothermia in mice by activation of mast cells and stimulation of histamine 1 receptors

In mice, MT-II-induced hypothermia depended on mast cells and histamine H1 receptors rather than on any single canonical melanocortin receptor.

View on PubMed (PMID 29812984)

CITATIONS

  1. 1.Melanocortin peptide therapeutics: historical milestones, clinical studies and commercialization. Peptides. 2006. PMID 16412534. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16412534
  2. 2.CLIPSing Melanotan-II to Discover Multiple Functionally Selective hMCR Agonists. J Med Chem. 2022. PMID 35188390. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35188390
  3. 3.Determination of melanotan-II in rat plasma by liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry: determination of pharmacokinetic parameters in rat following intravenous administration. Rapid Commun Mass Spectrom. 2002. PMID 12415547. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12415547
  4. 4.Melanotan II causes hypothermia in mice by activation of mast cells and stimulation of histamine 1 receptors. Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab. 2018. PMID 29812984. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29812984

Citations describe findings reported in the referenced preclinical, in-vitro or clinical literature. They are provided for research and educational purposes only and are not a therapeutic claim.

Related compounds: Melanocortin-system peptides in the compound encyclopedia.

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All information is provided for research and educational purposes only and describes findings in preclinical/in-vitro literature. Not medical advice. Products are supplied strictly for research purposes — not for human consumption.

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