Melanotan 2:
A Research
Overview
Melanotan 2 is a synthetic cyclic peptide analogue of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (alpha-MSH), described as a non-selective agonist across several melanocortin receptor subtypes. It is used as a research tool for studying that receptor family and has no marketing authorisation. Supplied for research use only.
What Melanotan 2 is
Melanotan 2 is a synthetic cyclic peptide analogue of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (alpha-MSH), a naturally occurring melanocortin. In the literature it is described as a non-selective agonist — meaning it binds and activates several subtypes of the melanocortin receptor family rather than a single one.
It is supplied as a lyophilised powder for laboratory research.
Background
Melanotan 2 originated in academic melanocortin research as a tool for probing that receptor system. Its value in the laboratory comes precisely from its non-selectivity and potency at the receptor family, which make it a useful reference agonist in studies of melanocortin pharmacology.
Melanotan 2 has no marketing authorisation in the United Kingdom or elsewhere and has not been assessed for safety in humans. It is supplied strictly as a laboratory reference material, and no claim whatsoever is made regarding any effect in people. The regulatory reasons for that framing are set out in what 'research use only' means.
Areas of research interest
Laboratory research involving Melanotan 2 centres on the melanocortin receptor system:
- Melanocortin receptor binding — how the compound engages the several receptor subtypes.
- Receptor subtype selectivity — studies contrasting non-selective and selective agonists.
- Melanogenesis in model systems — the biology of pigment-producing cells studied in culture.
These are areas of receptor pharmacology research, not effects established in humans.
Research context
Melanotan 2 is closely related to PT-141 (bremelanotide), which is both structurally related and a metabolite, and the two are frequently studied together in melanocortin research. The product listing gives the specification and batch certificate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Melanotan 2 is a synthetic cyclic peptide analogue of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (alpha-MSH), described as a non-selective agonist at several melanocortin receptor subtypes. It is supplied as a lyophilised powder for laboratory research use only.
No. Melanotan 2 has no marketing authorisation in the UK or elsewhere and has not been assessed for safety in humans. It is supplied strictly as a laboratory reference material, and no claim is made regarding any effect in people.
PT-141 (bremelanotide) is structurally related to Melanotan 2 and is also a metabolite of it. The two are frequently studied together in melanocortin receptor research.