PT-141

PT‑141 (bremelanotide) is a research-grade synthetic cyclic heptapeptide that acts as a non-selective agonist at melanocortin receptors MC1R, MC3R, and MC4R. Derived from the naturally occurring hormone Melanotan II, PT‑141 was developed to explore the central nervous system’s role in regulating sexual arousal, motivation, and autonomic function via hypothalamic melanocortin signaling pathways. Unlike peripherally acting compounds, PT‑141 exerts its primary effects centrally, making it a valuable tool for studying the neurobiology of melanocortin receptor activation.

Melanocortin Receptor Pharmacology

• Acts as a full or partial agonist at MC3R and MC4R within hypothalamic nuclei, with demonstrated ability to modulate dopaminergic and serotonergic signaling pathways implicated in arousal and reward circuitry.
• MC1R binding has been studied in the context of pigmentation and inflammatory regulation, providing a secondary research avenue beyond CNS-focused models.
• Resistance to rapid enzymatic degradation relative to linear melanocortin peptides makes PT‑141 a useful probe for in vivo receptor occupancy and downstream cAMP signaling studies.

Central Nervous System and Hypothalamic Research

• Studies in rodent models demonstrate dose-dependent activation of hypothalamic nuclei, including the paraventricular nucleus (PVN), correlating with behavioral and autonomic readouts used to assess central melanocortin pathway engagement.
• Investigated alongside oxytocin and dopamine system modulators to map cross-talk between melanocortin signaling and broader neuroendocrine reward circuits.
• Research using MC4R knockout models has helped clarify which behavioral outputs attributed to PT‑141 are MC4R-dependent versus receptor-nonspecific, providing useful mechanistic controls for study design.

Autonomic and Cardiovascular Research Considerations

• Transient hemodynamic effects — including changes in blood pressure and heart rate — have been characterized in preclinical models, making PT‑141 a compound of interest in autonomic pharmacology and melanocortin cardiovascular axis research.
• Nausea-associated signaling through area postrema MC receptors has been explored as an on-target effect, providing a model for studying emetic pathways in the context of melanocortin agonism.

Purity and Presentation

• Supplied as a lyophilized powder for research reconstitution. Verified ≥99% purity by HPLC. Third-party tested for identity and sterility.

For research purposes only. Not intended for human consumption, disease prevention, diagnosis, or any therapeutic use. This product is intended solely for in vitro and laboratory research.

Research Guide

For a detailed scientific overview of this compound, read our research guide.