Melanotan II

Melanotan II Overview

Melanotan II is a synthetic cyclic heptapeptide analog of α-MSH, a naturally occurring peptide that regulates pigmentation through target receptor activation. Originally developed as a research compound for studying melanogenesis and photoprotective pathways, MT-II exhibits high affinity for its primary target receptor subtypes. Through selective binding to multiple pathway targets, it has been examined in research contexts involving pigmentation pathways, endocrine signaling, and peptide-receptor pharmacology in laboratory settings.

Dorr et al. (2004).

History

Melanotan II was synthesized in the 1990s at the University of Arizona as part of peptide signaling research aimed at developing photoprotective research compounds. Building upon earlier work with linear melanotropic peptides, researchers created this cyclized analog to improve stability and target selectivity. The peptide emerged from systematic structure-activity relationship studies examining peptide-receptor agonist dynamics.

Dorr et al. (1996).

Melanotan II Structure

CAS #:

121062-08-6

Molecular Formula:

C₅₀H₆₉N₁₅O₉

Molecular Weight:

1024.18 g/mol

PubChem ID:

92432