Stock Inbound
MT-2
Melanotan II · Melanocortin Agonist
Also referenced as: Melanotan II · Melanotan 2 · MT-II · α-MSH Analog
≥99% Purity Guaranteed
Full Panel COA
Free Shipping At $100+
Shipping ProtectionShipping Protection Included
Lab Results
| Test | Result | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Purity | – | Pending |
| Quantitation (Avg) | – | Pending |
| Heavy Metals (ICP-MS) | – | Pending |
| Endotoxin (USP <85>) | – | Pending |
| Sterility (PCR) | – | Pending |
| Multi Vial Tested | – | Pending |
Made in cGMP- and ISO-certified facilities vetted by our established North American supply partner. Virtus tracks the factory batch number on every lot and catalogues it against independent lab testing, with a final Certificate of Analysis from ILS Laboratories. We pay more to source this way because we hold the highest standard for the product and for you.
Curated research on MT-2
Hadley ME (1998). Discovery and development of novel melanogenic drugs. Melanotan-I and -II Pharm Biotechnol.
PMID: 9760697 →Dorr RT (1996). Evaluation of melanotan-II, a superpotent cyclic melanotropic peptide in a pilot phase-I clinical study Life Sci.
PMID: 8637402 →Ter Laak MP (2003). The potent melanocortin receptor agonist melanotan-II promotes peripheral nerve regeneration and has neuroprotective properties in the rat Eur J Pharmacol.
PMID: 12591111 →Giuliano F (2006). Melanotan-II: Investigation of the inducer and facilitator effects on penile erection in anaesthetized rat Neuroscience.
PMID: 16360286 →
About MT-2
A synthetic cyclic heptapeptide analog of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH), Melanotan II is a non-selective melanocortin receptor agonist investigated in preclinical research for its role in melanogenesis and melanocortin-system signaling at the cellular level.
MT-2 has been examined in published research for its interaction across the melanocortin receptor family (MC1R, MC3R, MC4R, MC5R), with studied effects on pigmentation pathways (via MC1R) and central melanocortin signaling (via MC4R). It is among the most referenced melanocortin analogs in receptor-pharmacology research literature.
Also Referenced As
Melanotan II · Melanotan 2 · MT-II · α-MSH Analog
Specifications
- Scientific Name
- Ac-Nle-cyclo[Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Lys]-NH₂
- CAS Number
- 121062-08-6
- Molecular Formula
- C₅₀H₆₉N₁₅O₉
- Molecular Weight
- 1024.2 g/mol
- Physical Form
- Lyophilized powder
- Purity
- Coming Soon
- Batch Number
- TBD
- Storage
- −20°C, protected from light, avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles
Storage & Handling
Lyophilized peptides remain stable for 12–24 months when stored properly. Follow standard laboratory protocols for handling.
Storage
Store lyophilized peptide at −20°C in a standard laboratory freezer, protected from light, moisture, and heat. Avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles.
Shelf Life
Lyophilized form remains stable for 12–24 months at −20°C in the original sealed vial. Always reference the batch-specific COA for verified shelf-life data.
Mechanism & Research Background
Melanotan II is a synthetic cyclic lactam analog of the α-MSH core sequence, constrained by a lactam bridge between its Asp and Lys residues to resist enzymatic degradation and increase receptor affinity. Unlike native α-MSH, MT-2 is a superpotent, non-selective agonist across the melanocortin receptor subtypes, which has made it a widely used tool compound in melanocortin-system research.
In preclinical research models, MT-2 has been characterized for its agonism at MC1R (the receptor governing melanocyte eumelanin synthesis) and at MC4R (a central receptor implicated in energy-homeostasis, appetite, and sexual-function research). Published receptor-binding and cellular-signaling studies have examined its potency and subtype selectivity relative to native melanocortins and to more selective analogs.
Studied effects in the research literature include modulation of melanogenesis markers in melanocyte models and central melanocortin-pathway endpoints in animal research; the MC4R-selective analog bremelanotide (PT-141) emerged from this research lineage. MT-2 remains a research-stage molecule under active investigation; products supplied by Virtus Peptides are intended exclusively for in-vitro laboratory research and are not for human or animal use.
Frequently Researched Questions
What is MT-2 (Melanotan II)?
MT-2, or Melanotan II, is a synthetic cyclic heptapeptide analog of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH). It acts as a non-selective agonist of the melanocortin receptor family and is one of the most referenced melanocortin analogs in receptor-pharmacology research. Virtus Peptides supplies MT-2 as a lyophilized powder strictly for in-vitro laboratory research.
What is the difference between Melanotan I and Melanotan II?
Melanotan I (afamelanotide) is a linear α-MSH analog, while Melanotan II is a smaller cyclic, lactam-bridged analog. The cyclic structure of MT-2 makes it a more potent, non-selective agonist across the melanocortin receptor subtypes (MC1R, MC3R, MC4R, MC5R) in research models, whereas Melanotan I is comparatively more selective for MC1R.
What is Melanotan II's molecular weight?
Melanotan II has a molecular weight of approximately 1024.2 g/mol with the molecular formula C₅₀H₆₉N₁₅O₉ (CAS 121062-08-6). Its structure is the cyclic peptide Ac-Nle-cyclo[Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Lys]-NH₂.
Which receptors does Melanotan II target in research?
In receptor-binding and cellular-signaling research, MT-2 acts as a non-selective agonist across the melanocortin receptors: MC1R (associated with melanocyte pigmentation), MC3R and MC4R (central receptors implicated in energy-homeostasis and appetite research), and MC5R. Its MC4R activity is the research lineage from which the selective analog bremelanotide (PT-141) was later developed.
What testing does Virtus run on MT-2?
Every batch of Virtus MT-2 is independently tested by ILS Laboratories (ISO/IEC 17025 accredited) across the full QC panel: purity and quantitation by HPLC, heavy metals by ICP-MS, bacterial endotoxin, and sterility. Quantitation and identity are confirmed across five vials per batch for conformity. The full Certificate of Analysis is published in our COA database before any vial ships.
What is the recommended storage temperature for MT-2?
Lyophilized MT-2 should be stored at −20°C, protected from light, in the original sealed vial. Repeated freeze-thaw cycles should be avoided. When stored correctly, lyophilized peptides typically maintain stability for 12–24 months.
