Melanotan II (MT-2) is a synthetic cyclic heptapeptide analog of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH), functioning as a non-selective agonist at melanocortin receptor subtypes MC1R through MC5R. This lactam-bridged peptide, bearing the sequence Ac-Nle-cyclo[Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Lys]-NH2, was originally developed as a research tool for investigating melanocortin receptor pharmacology and the diverse cellular processes regulated by the melanocortin system across various tissue types and cell lineages.
In laboratory settings, MT-2 has been employed to study melanogenesis in melanocyte cell cultures, with investigations examining the intracellular signaling cascade from MC1R activation through adenylyl cyclase stimulation, cAMP elevation, PKA activation, CREB phosphorylation, and MITF-dependent transcription of melanogenic enzymes including tyrosinase, TRP-1, and TRP-2. Beyond melanocyte biology, the compound has been applied in research into energy homeostasis signaling, cardiovascular regulation pathways, and neuroendocrine function in hypothalamic cell models. Its non-selective receptor profile makes MT-2 particularly useful for comparative receptor subtype contribution studies across the broader melanocortin system.
Ares Research supplies MT-2 as a research-grade lyophilized peptide verified for purity and identity by HPLC and mass spectrometry. This product is provided strictly as a research chemical for scientific investigation and is not intended for human use, cosmetic application, or any non-research purpose.
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