Melanotan 2 (Melanotan II)

Melanotan 2 is a synthetic cyclic 7-amino-acid peptide (heptapeptide) developed as an analogue of natural α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH). By chemical class it is a melanocortin receptor agonist. In laboratories it is studied for its ability to activate the melanocortin receptor family, especially MC1R and MC4R, in cellular and biochemical models. In vitro, MC1R activation is linked to research on melanogenesis signalling cascades, while the MC4R target is used in models of central melanocortin signalling at the level of receptor affinity and agonist response. This information is provided for research context only.

Under in vitro conditions, the compound is used as a model ligand to characterise receptor–ligand interactions in a controlled laboratory setting. In melanocyte cultures, via MC1R, it helps to study the activation of melanogenesis signalling pathways – including the cAMP–PKA–CREB cascade, regulation of the MITF transcription factor and the expression of tyrosinase and related enzymes – as well as the ratio of eumelanin to pheomelanin synthesis. Via MC4R, it is used to study models of central melanocortin signalling at the level of receptor affinity and agonist response. All these processes are assessed exclusively in the context of cellular and biochemical research.

The product is supplied as a lyophilised powder. Each vial contains 10 mg of the active substance (Melanotan 2), ≥99% purity by HPLC. For laboratory work, the powder is reconstituted with bacteriostatic water, which is sold separately. The solvent is run slowly along the side of the vial, and the vial is swirled gently until the powder has fully dissolved – do not shake, so as not to damage the peptide structure.

Keep the dry lyophilised powder in the unopened vial in a refrigerator at +2 to +8 °C, or in a freezer at −20 °C for longer storage. Protect it from light in all cases. Keep the reconstituted solution (dissolved in bacteriostatic water) refrigerated and use it within the time set out in your research protocol.

Because the compound is a non-selective melanocortin receptor agonist, in in vitro models it is most often used in cultures of melanocytes or of cells expressing MC1R/MC4R, together with receptor assay reagents – for example, cAMP assay kits, tools for measuring tyrosinase activity and melanin content, and selective receptor antagonists that make it possible to confirm signal specificity. In comparative studies it is paired with endogenous α-MSH as the reference ligand. This is a laboratory model context, not any kind of dosing or usage recommendation.

Absolutely not. This product is sold exclusively for laboratory research and scientific experiments. It is not intended for human or animal consumption and is not a medicine, dietary supplement or cosmetic product.