Melanotan II (1 Vial)

Buy Melanotan II research-grade peptide from PSPeptides for laboratory studies investigating melanocortin receptor pharmacology, MC1R/MC3R/MC4R/MC5R signaling, and pan-melanocortin analog effects. Melanotan II is a synthetic cyclic lactam analog of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH), engineered for enhanced receptor engagement across the full melanocortin receptor family. Every vial is US-manufactured, third-party HPLC tested at 99%+ purity, and shipped with a batch-specific certificate of analysis.

Melanotan II is distinguished from the more selective melanocortin analogs by its broad receptor engagement profile. Where Melanotan I (Afamelanotide) exhibits pronounced MC1R selectivity and PT-141 (Bremelanotide) is engineered for MC4R selectivity, Melanotan II serves as a pan-melanocortin research tool engaging MC1R, MC3R, MC4R, and MC5R with meaningful activity at each. This makes it a distinct research compound for investigations requiring simultaneous engagement of multiple melanocortin pathways.

Buy Melanotan II: Detailed Mechanism of Action

Melanotan II binds the melanocortin receptor family — a set of five G-protein-coupled receptors (MC1R through MC5R) with distinct tissue distributions and physiological roles. MC1R is expressed primarily on melanocytes and mediates melanogenesis research endpoints. MC3R is expressed in hypothalamic and limbic regions and modulates energy homeostasis and inflammation research markers. MC4R is expressed centrally and mediates appetite regulation and sexual function research endpoints. MC5R is expressed in exocrine glands and skeletal muscle with less-characterized functional roles.

Receptor binding activates the Gs-coupled adenylyl cyclase pathway, elevating intracellular cAMP and triggering downstream signaling cascades appropriate to each receptor’s tissue context. In melanocyte research contexts, MC1R activation triggers tyrosinase transcription and increased eumelanin synthesis — the primary mechanism underlying melanogenesis research applications. In central nervous system research contexts, MC4R activation modulates satiety signaling in hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus circuits.