This is a working overview of cyclic heptapeptide, written for readers who want more than a one-paragraph summary but less than a textbook.
This page was last updated on 2026-01-27 and is reviewed periodically as new material appears.
The peptide was developed during the 1980s by researchers investigating melanocortin signalling and skin pigmentation pathways. Early work focused on analogues of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone that would resist enzymatic breakdown more effectively than the parent molecule. Melanotan-2 emerged from that programme as a shortened, cyclised variant. Reports describing its synthesis and receptor activity later appeared in the scientific literature. Commercial availability grew through unregulated channels rather than through pharmaceutical approval.
Structurally, Melanotan-2 retains the core recognition motif of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone while adding a lactam bridge that links two side chains and constrains the molecule into a ring. This modification lowers susceptibility to enzymatic degradation. The compound acts as an agonist at melanocortin receptors, particularly subtypes associated with melanin production. Because the same receptor family influences several physiological processes, researchers note that its activity is not confined to pigmentation alone. Receptor selectivity continues to be examined in published studies.
Melanotan-2 is a synthetic cyclic heptapeptide designed as an analogue of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone, a naturally occurring peptide involved in pigmentation signalling. Its sequence incorporates modified residues that increase potency and extend biological activity relative to the native hormone. The compound binds receptors of the melanocortin family and is examined mainly in laboratory research. It does not occur naturally and exists only as a manufactured chemical entity produced by solid-phase synthesis.
Regulatory treatment varies by jurisdiction and has changed over time. In several countries the peptide is handled as an unapproved prescription medicine, and import or sale for human use is restricted, while elsewhere it falls under poisons or controlled-substance schedules. Enforcement activity against online vendors has been reported in Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and the United States. Scholarly writing discusses melanotan-2 chiefly as an experimental tool and as a case study in unregulated peptide supply, and its precise legal position in any given country should be checked against current national schedules.
Lyophilised melanotan-2 is comparatively robust when kept dry, cold and dark, and a desiccated powder stored at minus twenty degrees Celsius or below is generally expected to retain its chemical integrity for extended periods. In solution the peptide is far less stable, with degradation proceeding through oxidation of tryptophan and histidine residues, hydrolysis adjacent to the lactam bridge, and aggregation at higher concentrations. Repeated freeze-thaw cycling accelerates loss of the parent peak. Working aliquots are therefore prepared once, held cold, and used without letting the stock return to ambient temperature.
| Property | Value | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Molecular formula | C50H69N15O9 | Synthetic cyclic heptapeptide |
| Molecular mass | Approximately 1024 g/mol | Depends on counter-ion content |
| Appearance | White to off-white powder | Commonly supplied as a lyophilised solid |
| Solubility | Freely soluble in water | Also dissolves in common aqueous buffers |
| Typical storage | -20 degrees Celsius, desiccated | Protect from light and repeated freeze-thaw |
Melanocytes are the pigment-producing cells of the skin, and they carry melanocortin-1 receptors on their surface. When the receptor is activated, cyclic adenosine monophosphate rises inside the cell and raises the activity of enzymes such as tyrosinase, which increases melanin output. Melanotan-2 binds melanocortin-1 receptors in vitro and in animal models, and this binding is generally described as the basis for the tanning effect. Other receptors account for different effects: melanocortin-4 receptors contribute to appetite and erectile signalling, while melanocortin-3 and melanocortin-5 receptors contribute to energy balance and exocrine function.
Early published reports described melanotan-2 as a tanning agent without sun protection, which means darkening is not the same as protection against ultraviolet radiation. Later studies explored the peptide in erectile dysfunction, hemorrhagic shock, and some skin conditions. No regulator in the United States or Europe has approved it for clinical use. Many products labelled melanotan-2 are sold without approval and their identity and purity are unverified. Its long-term safety in humans remains an open question.
Regulatory treatment of this peptide varies by country. It holds no marketing authorization as a medicine in the United States, the European Union, or most other jurisdictions. Some countries classify products containing it as prescription-only or unlicensed medicines, which restricts lawful supply. Authorities have issued public notices warning that unregulated products may contain undeclared or incorrect ingredients. The molecule also appears on prohibited lists for competitive sport. These measures address supply oversight rather than any approved therapeutic role.
Published research on the compound remains limited. Much of the human data comes from small, early-stage studies rather than large controlled trials, and several questions about effects and variability between individuals remain open. Investigators have examined receptor activity, pigment pathways, and related physiological responses in laboratory and animal models. Findings from those models do not automatically translate to human outcomes. Reviews frequently note the scarcity of rigorous clinical evidence and call for better-characterized study material.
Activity is attributed to agonism at melanocortin receptors, particularly MC1R and MC4R. Activation of MC1R on melanocytes increases melanin synthesis, which underlies the reported tanning effect. MC4R engagement in the central nervous system is linked to appetite suppression and to effects on sexual arousal reported in early clinical studies. Those studies were small and were not designed to establish efficacy or long-term safety. Receptor selectivity among the melanocortin subtypes is not absolute, which complicates attribution of any effect to a single pathway.
Regulatory treatment varies between countries. Several national medicines agencies have classified the peptide as unapproved, and customs authorities in some jurisdictions seize shipments on that basis. A few jurisdictions channel supply through prescription-only frameworks that do not list the substance by name. Because the material circulates mainly through online vendors, composition and purity are rarely verified before sale. Surveys of unapproved peptide products have reported labels that did not match measured content in a substantial fraction of samples.
Melanotan II is a synthetic cyclic heptapeptide analogue of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone, a naturally occurring peptide involved in pigmentation signalling. Its structure substitutes a lactam bridge between side chains to increase stability relative to the native hormone. The compound is also known by the shorthand MT-II and by several non-proprietary synonyms used in research catalogues. It is not an approved therapeutic product in any major jurisdiction; material sold under this name is typically offered as a laboratory reagent rather than as a medicine.
Handling guidance for melanotan II follows general practice for small synthetic peptides rather than a product-specific monograph. Lyophilized powder is typically kept at minus twenty degrees Celsius or colder, protected from light and moisture, because warmth and humidity accelerate degradation. Once reconstituted, solutions are usually refrigerated and used within a short window, as hydrolysis and microbial growth both become concerns. Repeated freeze-thaw cycles are generally avoided. These conventions come from laboratory peptide chemistry and not from formal stability studies on this specific compound.
Analytical confirmation of identity relies on mass spectrometry, most often coupled to liquid chromatography. Reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography separates the peptide from related impurities and provides a purity estimate based on peak area. Electrospray ionization mass spectrometry then confirms the expected molecular mass, while tandem mass spectrometry can map the fragment sequence. For research-grade material, these two techniques together form the standard minimum. Purity figures reported by vendors are frequently not traceable to an independent laboratory.
Independent verification is central to quality control because the compound is not produced under pharmaceutical manufacturing standards. Third-party laboratories can measure purity, identity, residual solvents, and microbial contamination, though the scope of testing varies between services. Reported analyses of vendor samples have shown batch-to-batch variation in peptide content and the presence of truncated or oxidized species. How much of this variation reflects synthesis conditions versus storage and shipping is not well characterized. No harmonized reference standard exists for the material as sold.
== Function == SLC1A2 / EAAT2 is a member of a family of the solute carrier family of proteins. The membrane-bound protein is the principal transporter that clears the excitatory neurotransmitter glutamate from the extracellular space at synapses in the central nervous system. Glutamate clearance is necessary for proper synaptic activation and to prevent neuronal damage from excessive activation of glutamate receptors. EAAT2 is responsible for over 90% of glutamate reuptake within the brain.
The U.S. EPA allows no more than 0.016 ppm formaldehyde in the air in new buildings constructed for that agency. A U.S. EPA study found a new home measured 0.076 ppm when brand new and 0.045 ppm after 30 days. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has also announced limits on the formaldehyde levels in trailers purchased by that agency. The EPA recommends the use of "exterior-grade" pressed-wood products with phenol instead of urea resin to limit formaldehyde exposure, since pressed-wood products containing formaldehyde resins are often a significant source of formaldehyde in homes. The eyes are most sensitive to formaldehyde exposure. The lowest level at which many people can begin to smell formaldehyde ranges between 0.05 and 1 ppm. In controlled chamber studies, people begin to sense eye irritation at about 0.5 ppm, 5 to 20 percent report eye irritation at 0.5 to 1 ppm, and greater certainty for sensory irritation occurred at 1 ppm and above. While some agencies have used a level as low as 0.1 ppm as a threshold for irritation, the expert panel found that a level of 0.3 ppm would protect against nearly all irritation. In fact, the expert panel found that a level of 1.0 ppm would avoid eye irritation—the most sensitive endpoint—in 75–95% of all people exposed.
Soybeans with black hulls are used in Chinese fermented black beans, douchi, not to be confused with black turtle beans. Soybeans are also used in industrial products, including oils, soap, cosmetics, resins, plastics, inks, crayons, solvents, and clothing. Soybean oil is the primary source of biodiesel in the United States, accounting for 80% of domestic biodiesel production. Soybeans have also been used since 2001 as fermenting stock in the manufacture of a brand of vodka. In 1936, Ford Motor Company developed a method where soybeans and fibers were rolled together producing a soup which was then pressed into various parts for their cars, from the distributor cap to knobs on the dashboard. Ford also informed in public relation releases that in 1935 over five million acres (20,000 km2) was dedicated to growing soybeans in the United States.
butyl The alkyl functional group derived from either of the two isomers of butane, with the generic chemical formula –C4H9. It may occur as a substituent in organic compounds or exist independently as an ion or radical. In IUPAC nomenclature, the presence of a butyl substituent is indicated with the prefix butyl in the name of the compound, or with the abbreviation Bu in chemical formulae; e.g. butyl alcohol (butanol), which may occur in any of five different isomeric forms depending on the arrangement of the four carbon atoms, is often written with the generic formula CH4CH9OH or BuOH.
== General consequences == Point mutations that occur in non-coding sequences are most often without consequences, although there are exceptions. If the mutated base pair is in the promoter sequence of a gene, then the expression of the gene may change. Also, if the mutation occurs in the splicing site of an intron, then this may interfere with correct splicing of the transcribed pre-mRNA. By altering just one amino acid, the entire peptide may change, thereby changing the entire protein. The new protein is called a protein variant. If the original protein functions in cellular reproduction then this single point mutation can change the entire process of cellular reproduction for this organism. Point germline mutations can lead to beneficial as well as harmful traits or diseases. This leads to adaptations based on the environment where the organism lives. An advantageous mutation can create an advantage for that organism and lead to the trait's being passed down from generation to generation, improving and benefiting the entire population. The scientific theory of evolution is greatly dependent on point mutations in cells. The theory explains the diversity and history of living organisms on Earth. In relation to point mutations, it states that beneficial mutations allow the organism to thrive and reproduce, thereby passing its positively affected mutated genes on to the next generation. On the other hand, harmful mutations cause the organism to die or be less likely to reproduce in a phenomenon known as natural selection.
Sources: en.wikipedia.org
===== MeSH D08.811.464.259 – carbon-nitrogen ligases (EC 6.3) ===== MeSH D08.811.464.259.100 – adenylosuccinate synthase MeSH D08.811.464.259.200 – amide synthases MeSH D08.811.464.259.200.200 – aspartate-ammonia ligase MeSH D08.811.464.259.200.600 – glutamate-ammonia ligase MeSH D08.811.464.259.300 – argininosuccinate synthase MeSH D08.811.464.259.350 – carbamoyl-phosphate synthase (ammonia) MeSH D08.811.464.259.400 – carbon-nitrogen ligases with glutamine as amide-n-donor MeSH D08.811.464.259.400.300 – carbamoyl-phosphate synthase (glutamine-hydrolyzing) MeSH D08.811.464.259.550 – formate-tetrahydrofolate ligase MeSH D08.811.464.259.850 – peptide synthases MeSH D08.811.464.259.850.400 – glutamate-cysteine ligase MeSH D08.811.464.259.850.500 – glutathione synthase
== See also == NMR spectroscopy Nuclear magnetic resonance Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy of carbohydrates Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy of nucleic acids Protein crystallization Protein dynamics Relaxation (NMR) X-ray crystallography
The most medically important species of snake bites in Central Asia is the Caspian cobra (Naja oxiana). It is the most venomous species of cobra in the world, slightly ahead of the Philippine cobra based on a toxinological study from 1992 found in the Indian Journal of Experimental Biology, in which this species produced the highest potency venom among cobras. The venom of this species has the most potent composition of toxins found among any cobra species known. It is made up of primarily highly potent neurotoxins but it also has cytotoxic activity (tissue-death, necrosis) and cardiotoxins. Two forms of "cytotoxin II" (cardiotoxin) were found in the venom of this species. The crude venom of this species produced the lowest known lethal dose (LCLo) of 0.005 mg/kg, the lowest among all cobra species, derived from an individual case of poisoning by intracerebroventricular injection. According to Brown (1973), the subcutaneous LD99–100 value is 0.4 mg/kg, while Ernst and Zug et al. list a value of 0.21 mg/kg SC and 0.037 mg/kg IV. Latifi (1984) listed a subcutaneous value of 0.2 mg/kg (0.09–0.26 mg/kg). In another study, where venom was collected from a number of specimens in Iran, the Subcutis LD50 in lab mice was 0.078 mg/kg. Average venom yield per bite for this species is between 75 and 125 mg (dry weight), but it may yield up to 590 mg (dry weight) in a single bite. The bite of this species may cause severe pain and swelling, along with severe neurotoxicity.
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Sources: en.wikipedia.org
It is a synthetic cyclic heptapeptide and an analogue of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone. The molecule is produced by chemical synthesis rather than extracted from a biological source.
It is shorter than the native hormone and carries a cyclic constraint that improves stability. These changes raise receptor potency and slow breakdown relative to the naturally occurring peptide.
Published accounts date its development to the 1980s, when researchers were generating analogues of melanocyte-stimulating hormone. That work aimed to produce more stable compounds for studying pigmentation biology.
Solutions are best kept cold, protected from light, and buffered to a pH that limits hydrolysis. Dividing a stock into single-use aliquots avoids repeated freeze-thaw cycles, which measurably reduce the intact parent peak over time.