— Research monograph
Melanotan II
A synthetic analog of α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone studied for melanogenesis.
- Class
- Cyclic lactam α-MSH analog — non-selective melanocortin receptor agonist
- Half-life (research)
- ~1 hr (preclinical and early-clinical reports).
- Origin
- Developed at the University of Arizona by Mac Hadley, Victor Hruby, and colleagues in the late 1980s as a superpotent cyclic analog of α-melanocyte stimulating hormone with extended stability and bioavailability.
- Solubility
- Reconstitutes in bacteriostatic water.
What is Melanotan II?
Melanotan II (MT-II) is a synthetic cyclic lactam heptapeptide derived from α-MSH. The cyclization (between Asp5 and Lys10) plus the substitution of D-Phe at position 7 produced a "superpotent" non-selective melanocortin receptor agonist that became a frequent reference compound in melanocortin pharmacology research.
MT-II binds with high affinity at MC1R, MC3R, MC4R, and MC5R. The receptor-promiscuous profile contrasts with the more MC3R/MC4R-preferential PT-141 (which was, in fact, developed as a metabolite of MT-II).
How does Melanotan II work?
Pan-melanocortin receptor agonist. MC1R activation drives melanogenesis in dermal melanocyte research. MC3R and MC4R activation in hypothalamic populations modulates appetite, energy expenditure, and sexual response in preclinical models.
Research applications
- Melanogenesis research
- Melanocortin receptor pharmacology
- Comparative MC-receptor selectivity studies
- Appetite-regulation preclinical models
Handling & reconstitution
Melanotan II ships as a sealed, lyophilized (freeze-dried) powder and is reconstituted with bacteriostatic water for laboratory handling. Reconstitutes in bacteriostatic water. Concentration equals vial mass divided by diluent volume.
Frequently asked questions
What is Melanotan II?
Melanotan II (MT-II) is a synthetic cyclic lactam heptapeptide derived from α-MSH. The cyclization (between Asp5 and Lys10) plus the substitution of D-Phe at position 7 produced a "superpotent" non-selective melanocortin receptor agonist that became a frequent reference compound in melanocortin pharmacology research. Merit supplies it as a lyophilized research compound for research use only — not for human or veterinary use.
How does Melanotan II work?
Pan-melanocortin receptor agonist. MC1R activation drives melanogenesis in dermal melanocyte research. MC3R and MC4R activation in hypothalamic populations modulates appetite, energy expenditure, and sexual response in preclinical models. Mechanistic descriptions summarize published preclinical findings and are not clinical claims.
What is the half-life of Melanotan II?
~1 hr (preclinical and early-clinical reports). Values reflect preclinical or research-context reports, not clinical pharmacokinetics.
Is Merit Melanotan II for human use?
No. It is sold strictly for research use only — not for human or veterinary use, and not for diagnostic or therapeutic use. Every lot ships with a certificate of analysis documenting ≥99% HPLC purity.
References
- Evaluation of melanotan-II, a superpotent cyclic melanotropic peptide in a pilot phase-I clinical study. Dorr RT, Lines R, Levine N, et al.. Life Sciences, 1996 · PMID 8637402
- Melanocortin peptide therapeutics: historical milestones, clinical studies and commercialization. Hadley ME, Dorr RT. Peptides, 2006 · PMID 16412534
- Discovery that a melanocortin regulates sexual functions in male and female humans. Hadley ME. Peptides, 2005 · PMID 15996790
For research use only. Not for human or veterinary use. Not FDA-approved. Reference information summarized from published literature — not medical or dosing advice.