Melanotan II (MT-II) is a synthetic cyclic analogue of Ξ±-MSH (Ac-Nle-c[Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Lys]-NHβ). It is a non-selective melanocortin receptor agonist (MC1R, MC3R, MC4R, MC5R) with high potency at MC3R and MC4R. Key research areas include pigmentation biology, sexual dysfunction models (MC4R), appetite suppression, and anti-inflammatory pathways via MC3R.
CAS 121062-08-6 | MW 1024.2 DaMC4R activation in the hypothalamus is studied for appetite suppression and sexual arousal signalling β key research targets.
Melanocortin-1 receptor activation drives melanin synthesis in melanocytes β core mechanism for pigmentation research.
MC3R agonism produces anti-inflammatory effects independent of MC1R/MC4R, studied in immune and metabolic research.
MC4R-mediated hypothalamic signalling reduces food intake β a key endpoint in metabolic and obesity research models.
Wessells et al. conducted the first human trial showing MT-II elicited erections in men with psychogenic erectile dysfunction at 0.025 mg/kg β key MC4R research data.
J Urol. 1998;160(2):389β393Dorr et al. demonstrated MT-II produced sustained skin darkening in human volunteers without UV exposure, confirming MC1R-mediated melanogenesis in vivo.
JAMA. 1991;266(19):2730β2736Adan et al. established that MT-II reduces food intake in rodents via MC4R signalling in the paraventricular nucleus β foundational data for melanocortin obesity research.
Eur J Pharmacol. 1999;378(3):R2β3Rodent MC research uses 0.5β2 mg/kg SC. Human pigmentation and sexual function trials used 0.025 mg/kg IV bolus. In vitro receptor binding studies use 1β100 nM. Standard endpoints: MC receptor binding assays, melanin production (absorbance), cAMP, and behavioral measures.
| Full Name | Melanotan II |
| CAS Number | 121062-08-6 |
| Molecular Formula | Cβ βHββNββ Oβ |
| Molecular Weight | 1024.2 Da |
| Type | Cyclic melanocortin peptide |
| Purity | β₯99% by HPLC |
| Appearance | White lyophilized powder |
| Storage | β20Β°C, desiccated |
