Source comparison
Melanotan-2 History: Comparison Table
To understand how Melanotan-2 differs from its predecessor and its clinical derivative, the following comparison clarifies the structural and functional distinctions between three melanocortin peptides. | Peptide | Structure | Primary Receptor Target | Half-Li
This comparison does not assign a generated winner or score.
- To understand how Melanotan-2 differs from its predecessor and its clinical derivative, the following comparison clarifies the structural and functional distinctions between three melanocortin peptides.
- | Peptide | Structure | Primary Receptor Target | Half-Life | Original Indication | Development Status | Bottom Line ||—|—|—|—|—|—|| Alpha-MSH (endogenous) | Linear 13-amino acid | MC1R (melanocytes) | ~20 minutes | Natural melanogenesis regulator | Endogenous hormone | Rapid degradation limits therapeutic use. Too short-lived for photoprotection || Melanotan-I (afamelanotide) | Linear 13-amino acid analog | MC1R (selective) | ~33 minutes | Erythropoietic protoporphyria, vitiligo | FDA-approved (Scenesse, 2019) | Selective MC1R agonism avoids sexual and appetite effects. Now approved for rare photodermatoses || Melanotan-II (MT-2) | Cyclic 7-amino acid analog | MC1R, MC3R, MC4R (non-selective) | ~33 hours (subcutaneous) | Skin cancer photoprotection | Phase II halted; research use only | Non-selective receptor binding produces tanning, libido, and appetite effects. Never approved for human use |