Melanotan-2 is a skin & hair research compound currently in stock directly from a verified Chinese manufacturer. Every batch is HPLC-verified and shipped with a Certificate of Analysis (COA). Sourcing is direct — no intermediaries. Minimum order value is $600 USD. International shipping available.
Melanotan-2 (MT-2) is a synthetic cyclic analogue of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH), a neuropeptide derived from the proopiomelanocortin (POMC) precursor. The compound is a 7-amino acid cyclic peptide — Ac-Nle-cyclo[Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Lys]-NH₂ — with key modifications relative to native α-MSH: norleucine substitutes Met⁴, D-phenylalanine replaces Phe⁷ for improved metabolic stability, and a lactam cyclisation bridges Asp⁵ and Lys¹⁰. These changes confer resistance to serum peptidases and increase receptor binding potency approximately 1000-fold over native α-MSH. MT-2 is a non-selective melanocortin agonist active at MC1R, MC3R, MC4R, and MC5R, with this broad receptor profile underpinning its wide research use across melanogenesis, energy homeostasis, and sexual behaviour models.
The majority of preclinical research on MT-2 has addressed three functional areas: melanogenesis via MC1R in melanocyte models, CNS-mediated sexual behaviour via MC4R in hypothalamic circuits, and energy intake/expenditure modulation via MC3R and MC4R in metabolic research. MT-2 was the original compound that prompted the development of more selective melanocortin agonists — PT-141 for arousal research (lower MC1R activity) and afamelanotide for photoprotection (MC1R selective). Understanding MT-2's broad receptor activity remains essential for interpreting the mechanistic literature on melanocortin system biology.
PeptidesFromChina.co supplies research-grade Melanotan-2 as lyophilized powder at ≥98% purity, verified by HPLC and confirmed by mass spectrometry. Certificates of Analysis available per batch. Wholesale pricing available on request. For laboratory research use only.
| Chemical Class | Cyclic α-MSH Analogue / Melanocortin Agonist |
|---|---|
| CAS Number | 121062-08-6 |
| Molecular Formula | C₅₀H₆₉N₁₅O₉ |
| Molecular Weight | 1024.18 Da |
| Structure | Cyclic heptapeptide (Asp-Lys lactam bridge) |
| Receptor Targets | MC1R, MC3R, MC4R, MC5R |
| Synonyms | MT-2, MT-II, Melanotan II |
| Half-life (research) | ~1–2 h (rodent, s.c.) |
| Storage | -20°C lyophilized; 4°C reconstituted (up to 14 days) |
| Sequence | Ac-Nle-cyclo(Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Lys)-NH₂ (cyclic heptapeptide) |
| Name | Strength | Pack Size | Purity | Availability | Price (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Melanotan-2 | 10 mg | 10 vials | ≥98% | In Stock | $62.00 |
Testing method: HPLC / LC-MS. Every batch is tested before shipment. Purity ≥99% confirmed per batch.
Certificate of Analysis (COA) is included with every order. Documentation covers purity, molecular weight, and batch identification.
MC1R agonism by MT-2 stimulates melanocyte cAMP production, MITF transcription factor activation, and upregulation of eumelanin biosynthesis enzymes (TRP1, TRP2, tyrosinase). In B16 melanoma cell assays and primary human melanocyte cultures, MT-2 produces dose-dependent increases in melanin content and dendrite formation. Comparative studies with the MC1R-selective analogue afamelanotide use MT-2 as the reference non-selective compound to characterise MC1R contribution versus other receptor subtypes in pigmentation responses.
MC3R and MC4R in the hypothalamus are key nodes in the leptin-melanocortin energy balance axis. MT-2 administration in rodent diet-induced obesity models produces dose-dependent reductions in food intake (hypophagia) and body weight, with concurrent changes in brown adipose tissue thermogenesis. MC4R knockout mouse studies confirm that the anorectic effect is primarily MC4R-mediated. MT-2 is used as a non-selective melanocortin agonist reference tool in studies characterising the energy balance phenotype versus selective MC3R or MC4R agonists.
Preclinical studies in male (rat, rabbit) and female rodent models established MT-2 as the first peptide to produce centrally-mediated sexual arousal — a finding that eventually led to the development of PT-141 (bremelanotide) as a more MC1R-selective analogue. MT-2 activates MC4R in the medial preoptic area (MPOA) and paraventricular nucleus, regions involved in sexual motivation. In vitro patch-clamp studies in hypothalamic slices characterise the electrophysiological correlates of MC4R activation in these circuits.
MC4R's role in reward salience and compulsive behaviour has been investigated with MT-2 in operant self-administration models. Rodent studies document that MT-2 reduces ethanol self-administration and attenuates reinstatement of cocaine-seeking behaviour in extinction-relapse paradigms, effects attributed to MC4R modulation of dopaminergic reward circuitry. This research area has gained interest given recent clinical findings on GLP-1 agonists in addiction, with melanocortin agonists representing a distinct mechanistic approach to the same circuitry.
Melanotan-2 is a non-selective melanocortin agonist with high affinity at MC1R, MC3R, MC4R, and MC5R. MC1R activation drives significant melanogenesis (increased melanin production). PT-141 (bremelanotide) is a cyclic peptide derived from MT-2 with substantially reduced MC1R affinity, essentially eliminating melanogenic activity at research doses while retaining MC3R/MC4R activity. Researchers select between them depending on whether MC1R activity is desired (melanogenesis studies) or should be excluded (arousal/anti-inflammatory studies).
Lyophilized MT-2 should be stored at -20°C, protected from light and moisture. Once reconstituted in sterile bacteriostatic water (0.9% benzyl alcohol) or PBS, solutions should be stored at 4°C and used within 14 days. Light-protected amber vials are recommended for reconstituted solutions, as MT-2 can be photosensitive. Avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles of reconstituted solution.
Standard assay formats include: (1) cAMP accumulation assays in MC receptor-transfected HEK293 or CHO cells to quantify receptor activation; (2) melanin content assays in B16-F10 mouse melanoma cells or primary human melanocytes using spectrophotometric quantification; (3) dendrite formation assays in melanocyte cultures; (4) β-arrestin recruitment assays to characterise receptor internalisation kinetics. Cells are typically treated for 24–72 h for melanin synthesis endpoints.
Yes. Melanotan-2 is available through PeptidesFromChina.co in wholesale formats with volume-tiered pricing. Minimum order quantities and pricing are provided on request following account verification. Contact us via the Request page or Contact form.
For laboratory research use only. Not for human or veterinary use. PeptidesFromChina.co is a B2B wholesale supplier operating under strict research-use-only terms. All products are sold exclusively for in vitro and preclinical research purposes.