Melanotan II

Chemical & Structural Information

• Compound type: Synthetic cyclic melanocortin peptide agonist
• CAS Number: 121062-08-6
• Molecular Formula: C50H69N15O9
• Molecular Weight: approximately 1,024.18 g/mol
• Structure: N-acetyl-Nle-cyclo[Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Lys]-NH2

What It Is

Melanotan II is a synthetic cyclic peptide related to alpha-MSH. It activates several melanocortin receptors, so
researchers study it in pigmentation, appetite, metabolism and behavioural signalling.

Research Focus

• Pigmentation - MC1R signalling is linked with melanin production in pigment cells.
• Central signalling - MC3R and MC4R are studied in appetite, energy balance and behaviour.
• Receptor research - because Melanotan II activates more than one receptor, it is useful for comparing melanocortin
pathways.
• Peptide design - its ring structure was created to change stability and receptor activity.

How It Is Studied

Melanotan II acts as an agonist at melanocortin receptors. Different receptor types are found in different tissues,
which explains why research covers several biological systems.

Glossary

• Melanocortin: A family of natural signals and receptors.
• Melanocyte: A cell that makes skin pigment.
• Melanin: The natural pigment made by melanocytes.
• Cyclic peptide: A peptide whose chain is joined into a ring.

For Research Purposes Only