Melanotan-2

Melanotan-2 (MT-2) is a cyclic synthetic peptide that acts as an agonist at melanocortin receptors. It is supplied for laboratory research on receptor pharmacology and signaling.

Research applications

MT-2 serves as a defined-sequence agonist in receptor binding assays and in cAMP and ERK signaling readouts. It is also used as a probe in rodent neurobehavioral paradigms and in pigmentation-signaling studies in cells. Tissue and region mapping of receptor expression is another use. All of these are laboratory research uses.

Pathway and mechanistic context

MT-2 is described as acting on the melanocortin receptor family (MC1R to MC5R). These GPCRs commonly couple to Gs and raise cAMP, with downstream PKA and ERK signaling. Researchers often pair it with subtype-selective antagonists or genetic models to work out which receptor produces an observed result.

Preclinical summary

Rodent studies have used MT-2 in a maternal immune activation model with social-behavior readouts, and in models of alcohol intake, alone or together with naltrexone. Other work looked at melanocortin signaling in feeding behavior and in glucose uptake after hypothalamic injection. These are laboratory and animal-model findings only.

Form and analytical testing

Supplied as a lyophilized powder. Identity and purity are normally confirmed by HPLC and mass spectrometry. Refer to the Certificate of Analysis for the lot you receive.

References

1. E. Minakova et al., "Melanotan-II reverses autistic features in a maternal immune activation mouse model of autism," PLoS ONE , vol. 14, no. 1, Jan. 2019. Source
2. A. van der Klaauw et al., "Role of melanocortin signalling in the preference for dietary macronutrients in human beings," Lancet , vol. 385 Suppl 1, p. S12, Feb. 2015. Source
3. C. Bjørbaek and A. N. Hollenberg, "Leptin and melanocortin signaling in the hypothalamus," Vitam. Horm. , vol. 65, pp. 281–311, 2002. Source
4. C. Toda et al., "Distinct effects of leptin and a melanocortin receptor agonist injected into medial hypothalamic nuclei on glucose uptake in peripheral tissues," Diabetes , vol. 58, no. 12, pp. 2757–2765, Dec. 2009. Source
5. D. A. York, S. Boghossian, and M. Park-York, "Melanocortin activity in the amygdala influences alcohol intake," Pharmacol. Biochem. Behav. , vol. 98, no. 1, pp. 112–119, Mar. 2011. Source
6. M. Navarro, F. Carvajal, J. M. Lerma-Cabrera, I. Cubero, M. J. Picker, and T. E. Thiele, "Evidence that Melanocortin Receptor Agonist Melanotan-II Synergistically Augments the Ability of Naltrexone to Blunt Binge-Like Ethanol Intake in Male C57BL/6J Mice," Alcohol. Clin. Exp. Res. , vol. 39, no. 8, pp. 1425–1433, Aug. 2015. Source

Peptides are shipped lyophilized (freeze-dried), a state that keeps them stable in transit. Keep vials cold and away from light on arrival.

• Short term: refrigeration below 4°C (39°F) is generally suitable for lyophilized material held for days to months.
• Long term: a freezer at -80°C (-112°F) is preferred for storage over several months or years.
• After reconstitution: keep the vial refrigerated. Reconstituted material is generally kept for up to 30 days.