Description

Melanotan II – Technical Biochemical Mechanism Profile

(Non-selective Melanocortin Receptor Agonist – Research Use Only)

Melanotan II (MT-II) is a synthetic cyclic heptapeptide analogue of α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH).
In vitro research shows that MT-II acts as a broad-spectrum agonist at melanocortin receptors MC1R, MC3R, MC4R, and MC5R, triggering intracellular cAMP-dependent signaling and transcriptional activation of pigmentary, metabolic, and neuroendocrine gene networks.

✅ 1. Primary Molecular Targets

Melanotan II directly binds and activates melanocortin GPCRs:

MT-II has high affinity for MC1R and MC4R, producing strong cAMP accumulation after receptor engagement.

✅ 2. Core Signaling Cascade

Melanotan II activates the Gs-coupled GPCR → adenylate cyclase → cAMP → PKA → CREB pathway.

Key steps:

1. Receptor engagement (MC1R/3R/4R/5R)

2. Adenylate cyclase (AC) activation

3. ↑ cAMP intracellular concentration

4. PKA phosphorylation cascade

5. CREB transcription factor activation

6. Upregulation of melanin-synthetic and metabolic genes

✅ 3. Enzymes Activated

✅ 4. Melanogenesis Gene Targets (MC1R Pathway)

Melanotan II stimulates pigment-related gene transcription via MITF (microphthalmia transcription factor):

MITF elevation is a hallmark molecular response in melanocyte signaling assays.

✅ 5. Metabolic & Neuroendocrine Signaling (MC3R/MC4R)

In hypothalamic and metabolic research models, MT-II activation leads to:

• cAMP → PKA → CREB transcription

• ↑ expression of POMC, CART, and anorexigenic neuropeptides

• ↓ orexigenic genes such as NPY and AgRP
  (measured in neuronal cell-line studies)

✅ 6. Immune & Anti-Inflammatory Pathways

Melanocortin receptors also regulate inflammatory gene programs:

• ↓ NF-κB signaling

• ↓ transcription of TNFA, IL1B, IL6

• ↑ IL-10 anti-inflammatory response

These effects are observed in macrophage and dendritic-cell research models.

✅ 7. Second Messengers

✅ Mechanistic Summary

• Synthetic α-MSH analogue

• Potent MC1R–MC5R agonist

• Strong activation of cAMP/PKA/CREB cascade

• Upregulates pigmentation genes (MITF → TYR / TYRP1 / DCT)

• Modulates metabolic and inflammatory transcriptional profiles in vitro

✅ Research-Only Classification

Melanotan II is not a drug, supplement, or cosmetic.
It is supplied solely for controlled in-vitro laboratory research and is not for human or animal use, ingestion, injection, or topical application.