What Is Melanotan II?
Melanotan II is a synthetic cyclic heptapeptide analog of α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH) studied in preclinical melanocortin-receptor research. It is not an FDA-approved drug.
The short answer
Melanotan II is a cyclic, non-selective agonist of the melanocortin receptors, modeled on α-MSH. In the research literature it is studied for melanocortin-receptor signaling and melanogenesis (the pigment-producing pathway). It is a research compound and is not approved for human use.
Composition and specifications
| Compound | Melanotan II |
|---|---|
| Class | Cyclic α-MSH analog; melanocortin-receptor agonist |
| Also known as | MT-II · CAS 121062-08-6 |
| Sequence / length | Cyclic heptapeptide (α-MSH analog) |
| CAS number | 121062-08-6 |
| Molecular weight | 1024.2 g/mol |
| Purity (typical) | ≥99.0% |
| Appearance | White lyophilized powder; water-soluble |
Values above reflect the compound's published specification. As with any research material, the definitive confirmation of identity and purity for a given lot is the mass-spectrometry and HPLC data on its Certificate of Analysis.
How it is described mechanistically
Melanotan II is characterized as a non-selective agonist at melanocortin receptors (including MC1R and MC4R). MC1R activation is associated with melanogenesis in research models, while MC4R activity is studied in other melanocortin-signaling contexts. These are mechanistic descriptions from laboratory research.
What has research examined?
Published Melanotan II work is preclinical. Areas examined include:
- Melanocortin-receptor (MC1R/MC4R) signaling
- Melanogenesis and pigmentation research models
- Comparisons with α-MSH and related analogs
- Central melanocortin-pathway research
These describe research directions and receptor-level pharmacology, not endorsed human uses.
How is it characterized and tested?
Two questions matter most about any peptide sample in a research context: is it the right molecule, and how pure is it. Those are answered by analytical testing — commonly mass spectrometry for identity and HPLC for purity — with both reported on a batch-specific Certificate of Analysis (COA). An independent, published COA lets a researcher confirm identity and purity before beginning work. See peptide handling and storage for how samples are kept stable once received.
Primary literature: browse peer-reviewed studies on Melanotan II at PubMed.
Common questions
Is Melanotan II approved for human use?
No. Melanotan II is not an FDA-approved drug. Research-grade material is for laboratory research use only and is not intended for human administration.
What is Melanotan II studied for?
Melanocortin-receptor signaling and melanogenesis (the pigmentation pathway) in preclinical models. This page describes receptor-level pharmacology, not any human use.
How does Melanotan II relate to α-MSH?
It is a synthetic cyclic analog of α-MSH designed to be more stable and to act on the same melanocortin-receptor family.