Melanocortin Peptides

Melanocortin peptides act on the melanocortin receptor system in the central nervous system and peripheral tissues. PT-141 (Bremelanotide) acts centrally through hypothalamic MC3R and MC4R receptors. Melanotan II (MT-2) is a non-selective melanocortin agonist studied for both melanin production and appetite regulation. Kisspeptin-10 regulates the HPG (hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal) axis for reproductive and fertility studies.

The melanocortin system comprises five receptor subtypes (MC1R–MC5R) with distinct tissue distributions and functions. MC1R governs eumelanin (dark pigment) production in melanocytes — making MT-2 relevant to UV protection studies through tanning research. MC3R and MC4R in the hypothalamus regulate energy balance, sexual arousal, and appetite — the pathway through which PT-141 has produced the most study interest. MC4R specifically has been identified as a critical node in both energy expenditure and reproductive signaling pathways.

Kisspeptin-10 operates upstream of the melanocortin system, acting on the hypothalamic GnRH (gonadotropin-releasing hormone) neurons that control the entire reproductive axis. Research interest centers on its role in puberty initiation, luteinizing hormone (LH) pulses, and fertility models. Together, PT-141, MT-2, and Kisspeptin-10 provide research tools spanning pigmentation biology, hypothalamic control of reproduction, and central appetite regulation. All products are sold for laboratory and educational use only and are not intended for human therapeutic application.