Melanocortin
Melanotan II MT2 · Cyclic α-MSH Analogue
Melanocortin
Melanotan II research overview
- CAS Number
- 121062-08-6
- Molecular Formula
- C₅₀H₆₉N₁₅O₉
- HPLC Purity
- ≥99% (batch-verified)
- Form
- Lyophilised powder
- Storage
- 2–8°C, desiccated, protected from light
- Classification
- Research reagent - in vitro use only
Melanotan II (MT2) is a synthetic cyclic heptapeptide analogue of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH). It is widely used in preclinical research as a potent, non-selective agonist of the melanocortin receptor family, giving researchers a stable reference ligand for studying MC1R, MC3R, MC4R and MC5R signalling.
Melanotan II was developed at the University of Arizona in the late 1980s and early 1990s as part of a programme to create conformationally constrained α-MSH analogues. Its sequence, Ac-Nle-cyclo[Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Lys]-NH₂, retains the His-Phe-Arg-Trp pharmacophore common to melanocortin ligands. A lactam bridge between aspartic acid and lysine cyclises the peptide, and the D-phenylalanine substitution increases receptor potency and resistance to enzymatic degradation in experimental systems compared with the native linear hormone.
In cell-based research, Melanotan II is used to study MC1R-mediated cAMP signalling and melanogenesis pathways in melanocyte and melanoma cell lines, including the regulation of tyrosinase activity and eumelanin synthesis. Because it also binds the centrally expressed MC3R and MC4R, rodent studies have used it as a pharmacological tool to investigate hypothalamic melanocortin signalling involved in energy homeostasis and feeding behaviour, alongside receptor-selective antagonists such as SHU9119.
Melanotan II is closely related to two other melanocortin research compounds: Melanotan I (afamelanotide), a linear and more MC1R-selective analogue, and bremelanotide (PT-141), a metabolite-derived analogue studied for central MC4R activity. Its broad receptor profile makes it useful as a positive control in melanocortin receptor binding and functional assays. Velox Peptides supplies Melanotan II at ≥99% HPLC-verified purity as a 10mg lyophilised research reagent. Not for human or veterinary consumption.
Summary paraphrased from the peer-reviewed preclinical literature. For in vitro research use only. For source citations, email support@veloxpeps.com.
Melanotan II Research Hub
Technical data
Compound specifications
| Common name | Melanotan II (MT2, MT-II) |
|---|---|
| Full name | Cyclic α-MSH analogue (Ac-Nle-cyclo[Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Lys]-NH₂) |
| CAS number | 121062-08-6 |
| Molecular formula | C₅₀H₆₉N₁₅O₉ |
| Molecular weight | 1024.2 g/mol |
| Sequence | Ac-Nle-cyclo[Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Lys]-NH2 |
| HPLC purity | ≥99% (batch-verified) |
| Appearance | White to off-white lyophilised powder |
| Solubility | Bacteriostatic water, sterile saline |
| Storage (lyophilised) | 2–8°C, protected from light |
| Storage (reconstituted) | 2–8°C, up to 28 days |
| Supplied as | 10mg |
Purity & documentation
Batch testing and certificate of analysis
Every batch of Melanotan II is third-party HPLC-tested prior to dispatch. Batch documentation is available on request.
Previous batch CoAs are archived in the CoA library. For batch-specific CoA requests prior to purchase, contact support@veloxpeps.com.
Delivery & payment
Buying Melanotan II in the UK
Melanotan II is sold by Velox Peptides (CRP Labs Ltd, UK company no. NI738125) and dispatched from the UK. Choose a vial size, pay on one page, and your order is dispatched the next working day.
- Delivery: Royal Mail Tracked 24 (1–2 working days, £5.99, free over £100) or Tracked 48 (2–3 working days, £3.80). See shipping.
- Payment: Pay by Bank through FCA-authorised open banking, or bank transfer. No card details needed.
- Testing: See the batch testing details above and past reports in the CoA library.
- Research use only: Supplied as a research reagent for in vitro use. Not for human or veterinary consumption. See our Research Use Policy.
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Compliance notice
For in vitro research use only. Melanotan II is supplied solely as a research reagent for qualified professionals conducting in vitro or animal-model studies. It is not a medicinal product within the meaning of the Human Medicines Regulations 2012. It has not been evaluated by the MHRA or FDA. It is not intended for human or veterinary consumption, diagnosis, treatment, cure, or prevention of any condition. Any use outside lawful scientific research is outside the scope of sale.
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