The short version of melanocortin receptor fits in a sentence. The long version — which is the one that helps — is below.
This page was last updated on 2026-04-21 and is reviewed periodically as new material appears.
Melanotan-2 is a synthetic cyclic heptapeptide designed as a structural analogue of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone, the endogenous tridecapeptide that regulates pigment production. Two modifications distinguish it from the natural hormone: norleucine replaces methionine at the N-terminus, which limits oxidation, and a D-phenylalanine substitution raises receptor affinity. The ring is closed through an aspartate-lysine lactam bridge, giving the molecule a constrained conformation. The free base has a molecular mass near 1024 daltons, and commercial material is usually supplied as an acetate salt. It appears in the literature as a research peptide rather than an approved therapeutic agent.
Receptor studies place melanotan-2 among non-selective melanocortin agonists, binding MC1R, MC3R, MC4R and MC5R rather than a single subtype. Activation of MC1R on cutaneous melanocytes raises tyrosinase activity and shifts pigment synthesis toward eumelanin, which is darker and more photostable than pheomelanin. Central receptors, particularly MC4R, are associated with appetite suppression and with reported effects on sexual function. Because subtype selectivity is low, the same molecule engages pigment, metabolic and vascular pathways at once, and this breadth is a common explanation offered for the range of adverse events described in user reports.
Melanotan-2 is a synthetic linear peptide built from seven amino acids arranged in a short chain. Its sequence is commonly written as Ac-Nle-Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Lys-NH2, which includes a modified N-terminus and an amidated C-terminus. The molecule belongs to the melanocortin family and acts as a receptor agonist. Structural features such as the D-phenylalanine residue and the Nle substitution are associated with increased stability against enzymatic degradation relative to the natural parent peptide.
The compound emerged from research programs in the 1980s that examined analogues of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone for pigmentation and photoprotection. Investigators modified the native sequence to extend activity duration and potency. A related analogue, afamelanotide, was developed within the same broad line of inquiry and eventually gained approval in certain jurisdictions for a rare light-sensitivity condition. Melanotan-2 itself did not progress through the same regulatory route and has no approved therapeutic indication.
| Property | Value | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Molecular formula | C50H69N15O9 | Free base; salt forms add to total mass |
| Molecular mass | About 1024 daltons | Calculated for the free base |
| Structural class | Cyclic heptapeptide | Contains D-phenylalanine and norleucine |
| Parent hormone | Alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone | Endogenous tridecapeptide of 13 residues |
| Receptor profile | Non-selective melanocortin agonist | Interacts with MC1R, MC3R, MC4R and MC5R |
Melanotan-2 is a synthetic cyclic heptapeptide designed as an analogue of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone, the naturally occurring peptide involved in pigmentation signalling. Its sequence is conventionally written as Ac-Nle-cyclo[Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Lys]-NH2, with a lactam bridge joining the aspartate side chain to the lysine side chain. The empirical formula is C50H69N15O9 and the monoisotopic mass lies near 1023.5 daltons. N-terminal acetylation and the D-configured phenylalanine both increase resistance to enzymatic breakdown compared with the parent hormone.
Pharmacologically, melanotan-2 behaves as a non-selective agonist across the melanocortin receptor family. Binding at MC1R on dermal melanocytes promotes eumelanin synthesis, which underlies the tanning response described in early human work. Activity at the centrally expressed MC4R receptor is associated with reported effects on appetite and erectile function. Because the peptide does not discriminate strongly among receptor subtypes, attributing any single observed effect to one receptor pathway is generally not possible without selective antagonists or receptor knockout models.
Numerous key discoveries in biology have emerged from studies of RNA (ribonucleic acid), including seminal work in the fields of biochemistry, genetics, microbiology, molecular biology, molecular evolution, and structural biology. As of 2010, 30 scientists have been awarded Nobel Prizes for experimental work that includes studies of RNA. Specific discoveries of high biological significance are discussed in this article. For related information, see the articles on History of molecular biology and History of genetics. For background information, see the articles on RNA and nucleic acids.
=== Albums === 1998 – Little Things Of Venom (released in the US in 2000 as At the Close of Every Day) 2002 – All Is Quiet Now 2003 – Live 2008 – All Things Come in Waves Track listing "Right This Time" – 2:45 "When It's Over It's Over" – 3:54 "Words" – 3:46 "Why Do You Run" – 3:00 "Lost Stories (Run Away With You)" – 4:11 "If You Go" – 4:10 "Tied To The Hands That Hold You" – 3:13 "I Don't Know Where I'm Going" – 3:02 "I Hear Voices" – 3:28 "In Praise Of" – 3:17 2010 – Under the Cold Street Lights Track-Listing "The Flood" – 4:37 "Come On" – 3:28 "Something Brighter" – 3:39 "Seven Odd Years" – 3:14 "Mindless" – 4:11 "All That's Here Is All That's Left" – 4:40 "Custom Gold" – 3:57 "Broken Dancer" – 3:27 "Lock And Chain" – 4:35 "Cold Street Lights" – 3:55
The body of the royal angelfish is moderately elongate and is very compressed. The preorbital bone is convex and has no strong spines. There is 1 prominent spine at an angle at the preopercal. The ventral edge of the interopercle is smooth. The eyes are moderately small along with the mouth that is terminal. The mouth is also protractile. They have a maximum length of 25.0 cm (9.8 in). They have a total of 14 dorsal spines, and 17–19 soft dorsal rays. They have 3 anal spines and 17–19 anal soft rays. They also have 16–17 pectoral fin rays. Their caudal fin is rounded. The precise coloration of this fish can vary as regional differences can occur, most notably in populations from the Indian Ocean, Red Sea, and South Pacific Ocean. A commonality, however, is a body edged in narrow blue-white and orange stripes that are narrow and angle backward. The posterior portion of dorsal fin is black or blue with close-set blue dots, and the posterior portion of anal fin has alternating yellow and blue bands running parallel to body contour. The caudal fin is yellow. Juveniles are colored with a large dark spot on basal portion of the soft dorsal fin. They have been reported of living 15 years. Recent research indicates that the Pygoplites comprises two morphs, with the variants potentially hybridizing at Christmas Island.
Sources: en.wikipedia.org
=== Flammability === In the 1960s there was a lot of interest in fluorocarbons as anesthetics. The research did not produce any anesthetics, but the research included tests on the issue of flammability, and showed that the tested fluorocarbons were not flammable in air in any proportion, though most of the tests were in pure oxygen or pure nitrous oxide (gases of importance in anesthesiology).
=== Antibiotics === The length of antibiotic courses depends on the severity of the infection and whether bone infection is involved, but can range from 1 week to 6 weeks or more. Current recommendations are that antibiotics are only used when there is evidence of infection and continued until there is evidence that the infection has cleared, instead of evidence of ulcer healing. The choice of antibiotic depends on common local bacterial strains known to infect ulcers. Microbiological swabs are believed to be of limited value in identifying the causative strain. Microbiological investigation is of value in cases of osteomyelitis. Most ulcer infections involve multiple microorganisms. There is limited safety and efficacy data on topical antibiotics in treating diabetic foot ulcers.
The four substrates of this enzyme are 24S-hydroxycholesterol, reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH), oxygen, and a proton. Its products are (24S)-7α,24-dihydroxycholesterol, oxidised NADP+, and water. This enzyme is a cytochrome P450-type oxidoreductase, acting on paired donors, with molecular oxygen as oxidant and incorporating one of its atoms. The systematic name of this enzyme class is (24R)-cholest-5-ene-3beta,24-diol,NADPH:oxygen oxidoreductase (7alpha-hydroxylating). Other names in common use include 24-hydroxycholesterol 7alpha-monooxygenase, CYP39A1, and CYP39A1 oxysterol 7alpha-hydroxylase.
Sources: en.wikipedia.org
== Metabolic diseases == Early studies in the area reported that a liver-derived protein, alpha2-HS Glycoprotein, also known as Fetuin-A, can inhibit insulin tyrosine kinase activation and might play a role in the pathogenesis of metabolic disorders. Results suggest that hepatokine production could remodel metabolic homeostasis. This is exemplified by a number of studies revealing that hepatokines play a pivotal role in metabolism and contribute to the development of obesity, insulin resistance, T2D, NAFL, and NASH (109, 149). So far, ~20 hepatokines have been described to be involved in the regulation of energy and nutrient metabolism by acting directly on the liver or on distal target tissues. Hepatokines can be remodelled depending on the environment, for example, exercise-training can remodel hepatokine secretion. Little work in human hepatokines has been performed, however, using precision-cut liver slicing of human livers with and without MASH over 2000 hepatokines were described with potential roles in either promoting or protecting cardiometabolic disease pathogenesis. Hepatokines are now considered potential targets for the treatment of cardiometabolic disorders.
Jürgen Sundermann (28 May 1991 – 30 June 1993) Bernd Stange (1 July 1993 – 21 February 1994) Jürgen Sundermann (22 February 1994 – 8 April 1994) Damian Halata (9 April 1994 – 30 June 1994) Tony Woodcock (1 July 1994 – 30 October 1994) August "Gustl" Starek (31 October 1994 – 30 May 1996) Damian Halata (1 June 1996 – 30 June 1996) Sigfried "Siggi" Held (1 July 1996 – 7 October 1997) Damian Halata (8 October 1997 – 30 June 1998) Hans-Ulrich "Uli" Thomale (1 July 1998 – 28 March 1999) Dragoslav Stepanović (29 March 1999 – 29 August 1999) Joachim Steffens (30 August 1999 – 22 July 2001) Hans-Jürgen "Dixie" Dörner (23 July 2001 – 26 March 2003) Detlef Schößler (27 March 2003 – 3 June 2003) Hermann Andreev (24 June 2003 – 19 March 2004) Michael Breitkopf and Jörg Engelmann (20 March 2004 – 22 April 2004) Mike Sadlo (23 April 2004 – 30 June 2004) – Player/manager 1. FC Lok Leipzig
Diabetes mellitus is a disease in which the beta cells of the endocrine pancreas either stop producing insulin or can no longer produce it in enough quantity for the body's needs. It is the most common disorder of the endocrine pancreas. The condition is treatable and need not shorten the animal's life span or interfere with the quality of life. If left untreated, the condition can lead to cataracts, increasing weakness in the legs (neuropathy), malnutrition, ketoacidosis, dehydration, and death. Diabetes mainly affects middle-aged and older dogs, but there are juvenile cases. The typical canine diabetes patient is middle-aged, female, and overweight at diagnosis. The number of dogs diagnosed with diabetes mellitus has tripled in thirty years. In survival rates from around the same time, only 50% survived the first 60 days after diagnosis and went on to be successfully treated at home. Currently, diabetic dogs receiving treatment have the same expected lifespan as non-diabetic dogs of the same age and gender.
Sources: en.wikipedia.org
No regulatory agency has authorised melanotan-2 as a medicine for any indication. It circulates mainly as a research chemical or through unregulated channels. As a result, identity, purity and content are not independently guaranteed.
Melanotan-1, also called afamelanotide, is a linear analogue with greater selectivity for MC1R and has received approval in some jurisdictions for a specific photosensitivity disorder. Melanotan-2 is cyclic, less selective, and reaches central receptors more readily. The two are often confused in online discussion despite different pharmacology and regulatory status.
Alpha-MSH is an endogenous tridecapeptide derived from pro-opiomelanocortin. Melanotan-2 reproduces its core receptor-binding sequence inside a shortened, stabilised ring. The result is a molecule with a longer effective half-life and higher potency than the parent hormone.
No. Melanotan-2 is manufactured synthetically. The naturally occurring peptide in the same family is alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone, which the body produces as part of normal endocrine and neural signalling.