PT-141, Melanotan 2 & Melanocortin Research Peptides
For laboratory and research use only. This article summarises published scientific research on melanocortin receptor peptides. Neurovia peptides are not intended for human consumption. See our disclaimer.
PT-141, Melanotan 2 & Melanocortin Research Peptides
PT-141 peptide (Bremelanotide), Melanotan 2, and related compounds belong to a class of synthetic melanocortin receptor agonists that have generated a substantial body of preclinical and clinical research. Derived from the endogenous peptide alpha-MSH (alpha-Melanocyte Stimulating Hormone), these compounds have been studied across multiple biological systems — from pigmentation and sexual function research to inflammation and cardiovascular contexts.
This article provides an evidence-based overview of the melanocortin peptide research landscape, with a focus on PT-141 and Melanotan 2.
The Melanocortin System: Research Background
The melanocortin system consists of five G-protein coupled receptors (MC1R through MC5R) and their endogenous ligands — primarily alpha-MSH (α-MSH), ACTH, and related POMC (pro-opiomelanocortin) derivatives.
Each melanocortin receptor has a distinct tissue distribution and studied biological function:
- MC1R — expressed in melanocytes; studied in pigmentation and skin biology
- MC2R — expressed in the adrenal cortex; the primary ACTH receptor
- MC3R — expressed in the brain and peripheral tissues; studied in energy homeostasis
- MC4R — expressed predominantly in the brain; studied extensively in sexual function, appetite, and energy regulation research
- MC5R — expressed in exocrine glands; studied in secretory function
The research interest in synthetic melanocortin agonists stems from the ability to study these receptor subtypes with compounds that can be designed for selectivity or broad-spectrum activation.
What Is Melanotan 2?
Melanotan 2 (MT-2) is a synthetic cyclic analogue of alpha-MSH. It was developed at the University of Arizona in the 1980s–1990s by the group of Mac Hadley and Victor Hruby, originally in the context of skin tanning and photoprotection research.
Molecular profile:
- Sequence: Ac-Nle-c[Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Lys]-NH2 (cyclic)
- Molecular weight: ~1024 Da
- Receptor activity: Broad-spectrum MC1R, MC3R, MC4R, MC5R agonist
- CAS Number: 121062-08-6
Melanotan 2 Research
Pigmentation research — The original and foundational Melanotan 2 research concerned its studied effects on melanogenesis (melanin production) in animal models. Published preclinical studies demonstrated MC1R-mediated stimulation of melanocyte activity, associated with increased skin pigmentation in rodent and frog models.
Sexual function research — Melanotan 2 was observed in preclinical studies to produce erectogenic effects in male rodents, which redirected research attention toward MC4R-mediated sexual function pathways. This led to the development of the more selective PT-141 compound for this specific research direction.
Appetite and energy research — MC4R’s established role in appetite regulation has driven published research on Melanotan 2’s studied effects on food intake and energy expenditure in animal models.
What Is PT-141 peptide (Bremelanotide)?
PT-141 (chemical name: Bremelanotide) is a synthetic melanocortin receptor agonist derived from Melanotan 2. It was developed specifically to study MC3R and MC4R-mediated sexual function pathways, with a modified structure that eliminates the blood pressure effects observed with MT-2 in early clinical research.
Molecular profile:
- Sequence: Ac-Nle-c[Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Lys]-OH (cyclic; differs from MT-2 in C-terminal modification)
- Molecular weight: ~1025 Da
- Primary receptor focus: MC3R, MC4R agonist
- CAS Number: 189691-06-3
- FDA status: Approved as Vyleesi (bremelanotide injection) for hypoactive sexual desire disorder in premenopausal women (2019)
PT-141 Research
PT-141 has a more focused published research history than Melanotan 2, concentrating on melanocortin receptor-mediated sexual function pathways:
MC4R and sexual function research — Published preclinical and clinical research has examined PT-141’s activity at MC4R receptors in the CNS and its studied relationship with sexual arousal pathways in animal models and human clinical trials.
Clinical research — PT-141 / Bremelanotide is unusual in the research peptide space in having progressed through full clinical development to FDA approval (as Vyleesi). The clinical trial literature for bremelanotide is published in peer-reviewed journals including Journal of Sexual Medicine and Obstetrics & Gynecology.
Important note: As with semaglutide, PT-141’s FDA-approved pharmaceutical form (Vyleesi) is entirely distinct from the research peptide supplied by Neurovia. The research peptide is supplied for laboratory research use only.
Kisspeptin and Oxytocin: Related Sexual Health Research Peptides
Neurovia also supplies two additional peptides studied in sexual health research contexts:
Kisspeptin
Kisspeptin is an endogenous neuropeptide produced by the hypothalamus that plays a critical role in regulating the HPG (hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal) axis. Published research has extensively studied kisspeptin’s role in puberty onset, gonadotropin release, and reproductive biology, with a growing clinical research literature examining its effects in human subjects.
Oxytocin
Oxytocin is an endogenous neuropeptide produced in the hypothalamus with a well-established research history spanning bonding, social behaviour, trust, pain modulation, and reproductive biology. It is one of the most extensively studied neuropeptides in the biomedical literature, with decades of published research across multiple biological contexts.
Supply Format for Research
Neurovia supplies the following melanocortin and related research peptides:
- PT-141 10mg — lyophilised vial
- Melanotan 2 10mg — lyophilised vial
- Kisspeptin 10mg — lyophilised vial
- Oxytocin 10mg — lyophilised vial
All supplied at 99% purity, third-party tested, with Certificate of Analysis available.
Further reading: peer-reviewed research on PT-141 peptide (PubMed).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is PT-141 research peptide?
PT-141 (Bremelanotide) is a synthetic cyclic melanocortin receptor agonist derived from Melanotan 2. It is studied as a MC3R/MC4R agonist in sexual function research contexts. It has received FDA approval as Vyleesi for a specific pharmaceutical indication, which is entirely separate from its research peptide context.
What is Melanotan 2 research peptide?
Melanotan 2 is a synthetic broad-spectrum melanocortin receptor agonist derived from alpha-MSH. Originally studied in pigmentation and photoprotection research contexts at the University of Arizona, it has also been studied in sexual function, appetite, and energy regulation research in animal models.
What is the melanocortin receptor system?
The melanocortin system consists of five G-protein coupled receptors (MC1R–MC5R) and their endogenous ligands derived from POMC. Different receptor subtypes are studied in contexts including pigmentation (MC1R), adrenal function (MC2R), energy homeostasis (MC3R, MC4R), and sexual function research (MC4R).
What is the difference between PT-141 and Melanotan 2?
Melanotan 2 is a broad-spectrum melanocortin agonist with activity at MC1R, MC3R, MC4R, and MC5R. PT-141 (Bremelanotide) is a structural derivative of MT-2 designed for more focused MC3R/MC4R activity in sexual function research, with a C-terminal modification that addresses blood pressure effects observed with MT-2 in clinical studies.
What is kisspeptin research peptide?
Kisspeptin is an endogenous hypothalamic neuropeptide with a central role in the HPG axis. Published research has studied its role in puberty, gonadotropin release, and reproductive biology, with growing clinical research literature on its effects in human subjects.
Is PT-141 FDA approved?
PT-141 (as Bremelanotide / Vyleesi) received FDA approval in 2019 for hypoactive sexual desire disorder in premenopausal women. The pharmaceutical form is distinct from research peptide PT-141, which is supplied by Neurovia for laboratory research use only.
This article summarises published peer-reviewed research and is provided for informational purposes only. Neurovia’s peptides are supplied for laboratory research use only and are not intended for human consumption. Full disclaimer →
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Related Reading
For another neuroendocrine peptide used in reproductive-axis signaling research, see Kisspeptin Signals and Research Controls.