Comprehensive PubChem-Based Research Overview

1. Molecular Identity & Structure

Melanotan II is recorded in PubChem under CID 16132316, with the molecular formula C50H69N15O9 and a molecular weight of ~1024.2 g/mol [1]. Its structure is a cyclic heptapeptide analogue of α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH), synthesized to enhance receptor affinity and stability.

2. Receptor Pathways & Mechanistic Studies

PubChem annotations associate MT-2 with melanocortin receptor (MC1R, MC3R, MC4R, MC5R) agonism [1]. In vitro, it is used to probe G-protein coupled receptor (GPCR) signaling, cAMP response assays, and ligand-binding kinetics. The nasal spray format provides a vehicle for studying delivery across epithelial barriers.

3. Epithelial Transport & Delivery Models

The aqueous nasal spray preparation facilitates laboratory investigations of peptide absorption, stability, and diffusion rates across mucosal models [2]. Researchers use this delivery form to test transport kinetics in cell-based barrier systems or ex vivo epithelial tissue assays, comparing it to lyophilized and injectable preparations.

4. Cellular & Biochemical Applications

• Signal Transduction Assays: Examining GPCR activation and downstream cascades.
• Ligand Screening: Used as a reference agonist in melanocortin receptor libraries.
• Peptide Stability Testing: Monitoring degradation under physiological pH, enzyme exposure, and epithelial surface conditions.

5. Traceability & QC Integration

PubChem provides standardized identifiers, including synonyms, structural data, and registry numbers (CAS 121062-08-6) [1]. These ensure reproducibility across laboratories, integration into screening databases, and proper documentation in peptide-focused LIMS or QC pipelines.