# Melanotan II research explained Canonical: https://europeanpeptideshop.com/blog/melanotan-2/ Explore the catalogue and research library. Ordering and shipping have not opened yet. Compound research · 8 November 2026 · 3 min read · By [European Peptide Shop](https://europeanpeptideshop.com/about/) ### On this page ## What Melanotan II is Melanotan II (MT-2, MT-II) is a synthetic cyclic peptide of seven amino acids. Its commonly reported structure is Ac-Nle-cyclo[Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Lys]-NH2, and its molecular weight is about 1024 Da. It was designed in the late 1980s at the University of Arizona by the groups of Victor Hruby and Mac Hadley as a shortened, ring-closed analogue of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (alpha-MSH), the 13-residue hormone that signals to pigment cells. Three design changes separate it from the natural hormone: a norleucine in place of methionine, a D-phenylalanine in place of L-phenylalanine, and a lactam bridge between aspartate and lysine that closes the ring. The ring makes the peptide resistant to enzymatic breakdown and locks it into a shape that binds melanocortin receptors. "Melanotan 2 acetate" is the same peptide supplied as an acetate salt, which is the usual counter-ion for a synthetic peptide. It is not a different compound. ## Receptor targets Melanotan II is a non-selective melanocortin receptor agonist. The five receptors in that family have different distributions and roles, and the peptide binds four of them. Receptor | Main location | Melanotan II MC1R | Melanocytes in skin | Agonist MC2R | Adrenal cortex | Not bound MC3R | Brain, some peripheral tissue | Agonist MC4R | Brain, hypothalamus | Agonist MC5R | Exocrine glands | Agonist The lack of selectivity is the defining pharmacological fact. Afamelanotide (Melanotan I) is a linear analogue with greater MC1R preference, and the two should not be treated as interchangeable. The differences are set out in [Melanotan I vs Melanotan II](https://europeanpeptideshop.com/blog/melanotan-i-vs-ii/). ## Development history and regulatory status Melanotan II entered early clinical studies in the 1990s. The cited regulator notices warn about unregulated melanotan products. Its deamidated metabolite was later developed separately as bremelanotide (PT-141), which did reach licensure in the United States as Vyleesi. Melanotan II itself is not a licensed medicine in the UK, the EU, the United States or Australia. The MHRA has issued public warnings about unlicensed melanotan products sold for human use since 2008. The catalogue item here is the [Melanotan II 10mg](https://europeanpeptideshop.com/shop/melanotan-ii-10mg/) research vial, supplied as lyophilised powder for in-vitro work only. Check the [COA library](https://europeanpeptideshop.com/coa/) for publication status; no EPS batch report is currently available. ## Evidence tiers Statement | Evidence tier Binds MC1R, MC3R, MC4R and MC5R | In vitro, demonstrated Resistant to enzymatic degradation compared with alpha-MSH | In vitro, demonstrated Effects in rodents on pigmentation and other melanocortin pathways | Animal Human effects | Small early studies and case reports only Reports of adverse events in people who used unlicensed products are collected in [Melanotan II adverse effects](https://europeanpeptideshop.com/blog/melanotan-2-side-effects/). The earlier overview of the whole family is [Melanotan I and Melanotan II: melanocortin receptor research](https://europeanpeptideshop.com/blog/melanotan-i-vs-ii/). ## EPS documentation Use the [research catalogue](https://europeanpeptideshop.com/shop/) to check the exact name, labelled amount and format. The [COA library](https://europeanpeptideshop.com/coa/) publishes the original Janoshik reports selected for EPS, retaining the original report client name and any missing batch fields. Literature findings and another supplier's analytical results are not evidence about an EPS batch. ## Laboratory research only Materials listed on this site are supplied for in-vitro laboratory research and are not for use in or on humans or animals. They are not medicines. This article summarises published work and gives no dosing, administration, treatment or in-vivo guidance. Findings from a study apply to the material and conditions of that study, and they say nothing about any product listed here. ## References - [TGA: Melanotan II products found to contain inconsistent amounts, 17 August 2026](https://www.tga.gov.au/safety/safety-monitoring-and-information/safety-alerts/melanotan-ii-tanning-peptide-products-found-be-inconsistently-dosed) - [EMA: Scenesse assessment](https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/medicines/human/EPAR/scenesse) ## More articles Comparisons · 3 min read ## [Melanotan I versus melanotan II](https://europeanpeptideshop.com/blog/melanotan-i-vs-ii/) One is linear, selective and a licensed medicine under another name. The other is cyclic, non-selective and never licensed. The structural and regulatory. 8 November 2026 Compound research · 2 min read ## [Melanotan II adverse-effect reports](https://europeanpeptideshop.com/blog/melanotan-2-side-effects/) The adverse events reported in early studies and in case reports of unlicensed Melanotan II use, with the evidence tier of each, and what cannot be. 8 November 2026 Compound research · 4 min read ## [BPC-157 research explained](https://europeanpeptideshop.com/blog/bpc-157-research/) A plain-English guide to BPC-157: what the studies measured, what a 10mg vial label means, and how to distinguish evidence from unsupported claims. 8 November 2026