Vela Peptides
5 min readResearch

Melanotan II and melanocortin receptor research

A synthetic analogue used to study the melanocortin receptor family and the varied biology it controls.

Melanotan II is a synthetic analogue of a naturally occurring hormone, used in research as a tool to study the melanocortin receptor family. Those receptors sit behind a surprisingly broad range of biology, which is what makes the compound a useful research subject.

The melanocortin receptor family

Melanocortin receptors are a group of related receptors — often labelled MC1R through MC5R — involved in processes as varied as pigmentation, appetite signalling, and inflammation in laboratory models. Melanotan II is studied because it engages several members of this family, giving researchers a way to probe how these receptors behave.

Why an analogue is used

Naturally occurring melanocortin peptides are broken down quickly. Melanotan II is a synthetic analogue designed to be more stable in experimental systems, which makes it more practical for controlled laboratory work than the natural molecule.

Handling and reconstitution

Melanotan II is supplied as a lyophilised powder and reconstituted with bacteriostatic water. Because it is typically studied at small quantities, our reconstitution simulator is useful for planning a dilution that lands on clean, readable syringe units.

Documented identity and purity

Each Melanotan II batch is supplied with a certificate of analysis issued within six months of sale.