MT-2 (Melanotan II): Research Overview and Mechanism
MT-2 (Melanotan II) is a cyclic, amidated alpha-MSH analog studied in laboratory research as a non-selective melanocortin-receptor agonist within melanogenesis and receptor-pharmacology models. It differs from PT-141 only at the C-terminus (amide versus free acid), a frequent structure-activity comparison, and it is the parent structure from which the melanocortin agonist bremelanotide was derived. It is supplied as a lyophilized powder for research use only and is not approved for human use.
What MT-2 (Melanotan II) is
MT-2 (Melanotan II) is a cyclic, C-amidated synthetic analog of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (alpha-MSH), closed by a lactam bridge and weighing near 1024.2 g/mol. Its compact cyclic heptapeptide structure distinguishes it from the linear 13-residue Melanotan I, and it differs from PT-141 only in its amidated C-terminus.
These relationships place MT-2 at the center of the melanocortin tool-compound family: it shares a backbone with PT-141 and a target class with Melanotan I, so all three are studied as a graded structural series in receptor-pharmacology research.
Pathways it is studied within
In research, MT-2 is studied as a non-selective (pan) melanocortin-receptor agonist, engaging MC1R alongside the MC3R, MC4R, and MC5R subtypes. Its MC1R agonism is the mechanism examined in melanogenesis models, where melanocortin signaling drives eumelanin synthesis in melanocyte assays, while its activity at the central MC3R and MC4R subtypes is studied in separate preclinical receptor-pharmacology work.
Unlike bremelanotide and afamelanotide, Melanotan II has no approved-drug status. Everything described here refers to laboratory and preclinical research models, not human outcomes, and the material is not approved for human use.
Handling and documentation
Pinnacle MT-2 ships as a 10mg lyophilized powder. Like the other tryptophan-containing melanocortin peptides it is photosensitive, so the sealed vial is stored at -20C shielded from light before reconstitution with bacteriostatic water added gently against the wall.
Refrigerate the solution once reconstituted and keep freeze-thaw cycles low. The amidated C-terminus is what distinguishes MT-2 from the free-acid PT-141, so the observed mass reported on the lot-matched Certificate of Analysis, generated by HPLC and mass-spectrometry testing, is the definitive identity check between the two.
All products are intended strictly for in-vitro laboratory research and development use only. Not for human or veterinary use, not a drug, food, or cosmetic, and not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.