Melanotan-1 vs Melanotan-2

Melanotan-1 and Melanotan-2 are melanocortin-receptor research peptides, both α-MSH analogs. The key distinction studied in the literature is receptor selectivity — Melanotan-1 is more selective, Melanotan-2 is broader.

Aspect	Melanotan-1	Melanotan-2
Receptor profile	More MC1R-selective	Broader melanocortin-receptor activity
Compound class	α-MSH analog	α-MSH analog
Primary research focus	Melanocortin / pigmentation pathways	Melanocortin pathways (broader receptor set)
Format / purity	Lyophilized · ≥99% HPLC	Lyophilized · ≥99% HPLC

Selectivity is the headline difference

Both are α-MSH analogs studied in melanocortin research. Melanotan-1 is described as more MC1R-selective, while Melanotan-2 engages a broader set of melanocortin receptors. The choice in a protocol usually comes down to which receptors the model targets.

View Melanotan-1 View Melanotan-2

Questions

What is the difference between Melanotan-1 and Melanotan-2?

Both are α-MSH analogs; Melanotan-1 is more MC1R-selective while Melanotan-2 has broader melanocortin-receptor activity. They are studied in pigmentation and melanocortin-pathway research.

What form are they supplied in?

Both are lyophilized powder at ≥99% HPLC purity, sealed under nitrogen. All compounds are sold strictly For Research Use Only — not for human or animal consumption, and not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

For Research Use Only. Not for human or animal consumption. The above is a neutral summary of compound class and published research context; it is not medical, dosing, or usage guidance, and has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.