Melanotan 2 Overview

Melanotan 2 is a synthetic cyclic heptapeptide analog of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH), a naturally occurring peptide that regulates pigmentation through melanocortin receptor activation. Originally developed as a research compound for studying melanogenesis and photoprotection, MT-2 exhibits high affinity for melanocortin-1 receptor (MC1R) found on melanocytes. Through selective binding to melanocortin receptors, particularly MC1R and MC4R, it has been examined in research contexts involving pigmentation pathways, metabolic signaling, and melanocortin receptor pharmacology in laboratory settings.

Dorr et al. (2004).

History

Melanotan 2 was synthesized in the 1990s at the University of Arizona as part of melanocortin research aimed at developing photoprotective agents. Building upon earlier work with linear melanotropic peptides, researchers created this cyclized analog to improve stability and receptor selectivity. The peptide emerged from systematic structure-activity relationship studies examining melanocortin receptor agonists.

Dorr et al. (1996).

Melanotan 2 Structure

CAS#: 121062-08-6

Molecular Formula: C₅₀H₆₉N₁₅O₉

Molecular Weight: 1024.18 g/mol

PubChem ID: 92432

Research Findings

Melanotan 2 has been investigated in melanocortin receptor research and pigmentation pathway studies, with particular focus on receptor selectivity, signaling cascades, and downstream biological responses in controlled experimental settings. Research has explored its interactions with multiple melanocortin receptor subtypes and associated cellular mechanisms.

Key Areas of Research:

• Melanocortin receptors: MC1R, MC4R binding and activation

• Pigmentation: Melanogenesis, tyrosinase activity, eumelanin synthesis

• Receptor pharmacology: Structure-activity relationships, receptor selectivity

• Cellular signaling: cAMP pathways, MITF activation, melanocyte responses

Together, these investigations provide insight into melanocortin receptor biology and pigmentation regulation. Through its multi-receptor activity, MT-2 serves as a research tool for examining melanocortin signaling systems, receptor-ligand interactions, and downstream cellular responses in experimental melanocyte and receptor expression models.

Hadley & Dorr, Peptides, 2006

References

Dorr R.T. et al. (2004). Effects of a superpotent melanotropic peptide in combination with solar UV radiation on tanning of the skin in human volunteers. Archives of Dermatology, 140(7):827-835.

Dorr R.T. et al. (1996). Evaluation of melanotan-II, a superpotent cyclic melanotropic peptide in a pilot phase-I clinical study. Life Sciences, 58(20):1777-1784.

Hadley M.E. & Dorr R.T. (2006). Melanocortin peptide therapeutics: historical milestones, clinical studies and commercialization. Peptides, 27(4):921-930.