Melanotan 2, often written MT2 or Melanotan II, is a cyclic synthetic analogue of alpha-MSH with activity across the MC1R, MC3R, MC4R and MC5R receptors. It is used in melanocyte and hypothalamic neuron culture to study melanogenesis and melanocortin receptor pharmacology, and NuVion stocks it in Australia as a 10mg lyophilised vial.
- Cyclic synthetic analogue of alpha-MSH with broad melanocortin activity
- Active at the MC1R, MC3R, MC4R and MC5R receptors
- Used in melanocyte and hypothalamic neuron culture models
- Supplied lyophilised, purity by RP-HPLC and identity by mass spectrometry
Melanotan 2 structure and research use
Melanotan 2 is a cyclic heptapeptide, Ac-Nle-cyclo[Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Lys]-NH2, built around the His-Phe-Arg-Trp core that alpha-MSH uses to bind melanocortin receptors. The ring and the D-phenylalanine make it more stable than the linear parent hormone. In the laboratory it is used as a non-selective melanocortin agonist in receptor binding work and in melanocyte models of melanogenesis.
Melanotan 2 research applications
- Displacement of iodinated NDP-alpha-MSH from recombinant MC1R, MC3R, MC4R and MC5R membranes to derive Ki values
- Reference full agonist in CRE-luciferase reporter assays, setting the maximal response for EC50 comparisons
- Beta-arrestin 2 recruitment, receptor internalisation and ERK1/2 phosphorylation readouts for profiling biased signalling at MC4R
- MITF, TYR, TYRP1 and DCT expression by qPCR or western blot in B16 cells and primary melanocytes
Melanotan 2 key facts
| Type | Synthetic cyclic peptide, α-MSH analogue, melanocortin receptor agonist |
|---|---|
| Amino acid count | 7 |
| Sequence | Ac-Nle-cyclo[Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Lys]-NH2 |
| Molecular formula | C50H69N15O9 |
| Molecular weight | 1024.2 g/mol |
| CAS number | 121062-08-6 |
| Also known as | MT-II, MT-2, Melanotan II |
| Vial size | 10mg, lyophilised |
| Purity | 99.78% by RP-HPLC, Janoshik Analytical |
| Analysed | 24 September 2026 |
Research profile: Melanotan 2: structure, mechanism and research use
Independent test: a sample of this product was analysed by Janoshik Analytical on 24 September 2026, purity 99.78% by RP-HPLC, test number 234337. The full report opens from the lab band on this page.
