Melanotan II is a synthetic cyclic lactam analog of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (alpha-MSH). Its seven-residue ring, Ac-Nle-c[Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Lys]-NH2, is closed by a lactam bridge between the Asp and Lys side chains (a 2->7 cyclization), conferring high potency and metabolic stability. It is catalogued under CAS 121062-08-6 and PubChem CID 92432, and acts as a non-selective melanocortin-receptor agonist with activity at both MC1R (pigmentation) and MC4R.
Supplied as a 10mg lyophilized vial, Helio's Melanotan II is intended strictly for in vitro and preclinical Research Use Only and is not for human or veterinary use. It is widely used as a research standard in melanocortin-receptor pharmacology.
Ac-Nle-c[Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Lys]-NH2 (2->7 lactam)
Research use only — not for human or animal consumption. Per-batch documentation is provided with the material.
Melanotan II was engineered as a conformationally constrained, cyclic analog of alpha-MSH; the lactam bridge stabilizes the bioactive turn and yields a compact, potent, metabolically stable melanocortin agonist. It retains the conserved His-Phe-Arg-Trp active-site motif and engages multiple melanocortin receptors, notably MC1R for pigmentation and MC4R in central pathways, making it a frequently cited pharmacological tool.
Its non-selective receptor profile underlies the breadth of published receptor-binding and functional studies. All material offered here is for laboratory research only; no human efficacy, dosing, or safety claims are made.
Melanotan II was developed at the University of Arizona as a cyclic lactam analog of alpha-MSH, designed to lock the peptide into its bioactive conformation and improve potency and stability over both native alpha-MSH and the linear Melanotan I.
View compound profile on NIH PubChem →
Cited literature refers to laboratory and preclinical research. Melanotan II is supplied strictly for research use only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
