Melanocortin & reproductive
Melanocortin-receptor agonists, kisspeptin and oxytocin.
| Compound | Research area | Residues | Highest evidence | Sequence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Afamelanotide | Melanocortin & reproductive | 13 | Approved drug | Ac–SYSNleEHFRWGKPV–NH₂ |
| Gonadorelin | Melanocortin & reproductive | 10 | Approved drug | PyrHWSYGLRPG–NH₂ |
| Kisspeptin-10 | Melanocortin & reproductive | 10 | Early clinical studies | YNWNSFGLRF–NH₂ |
| Melanotan II | Melanocortin & reproductive | 7 | Early clinical studies | Ac–NleDHFRWK–NH₂ |
| Oxytocin | Melanocortin & reproductive | 9 | Approved drug | CYIQNCPLG–NH₂ |
| PT-141 (bremelanotide) | Melanocortin & reproductive | 7 | Approved drug | Ac–NleDHFRWK–OH |
| Setmelanotide | Melanocortin & reproductive | 8 | Approved drug | Ac–RCAHFRWC–NH₂ |
| Triptorelin | Melanocortin & reproductive | 10 | Approved drug | PyrHWSYWLRPG–NH₂ |
- Afamelanotide
Afamelanotide is a synthetic 13-amino-acid analogue of α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone, [Nle4, D-Phe7]-α-MSH, that activates the melanocortin 1 receptor. It is FDA-approved as Scenesse (2019) for erythropoietic protoporphyria.
- Gonadorelin
Gonadorelin is the synthetic form of native gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), a 10-amino-acid hypothalamic peptide that stimulates release of LH and FSH. It was previously approved in the US as a diagnostic agent and is used in veterinary products.
- Kisspeptin-10
Kisspeptin-10 is the C-terminal decapeptide of kisspeptin, the product of the KISS1 gene. It activates the kisspeptin receptor (KISS1R, also called GPR54) and is studied as a regulator of gonadotropin-releasing hormone and reproductive hormones.
- Melanotan II
Melanotan II is a synthetic cyclic heptapeptide analogue of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone that activates several melanocortin receptors. It is not approved as a medicine anywhere, and regulators have warned about unlicensed tanning products.
- Oxytocin
Oxytocin is a nine-amino-acid peptide hormone made in the hypothalamus and released from the posterior pituitary, with a disulfide-bridged ring structure. It regulates uterine contraction and milk ejection, and synthetic oxytocin (Pitocin) is FDA-approved.
- PT-141 (bremelanotide)
PT-141, or bremelanotide, is a cyclic heptapeptide melanocortin receptor agonist derived from melanotan II. It was FDA-approved in 2019 as Vyleesi for hypoactive sexual desire disorder in premenopausal women.
- Setmelanotide
Setmelanotide is a synthetic cyclic eight-amino-acid melanocortin 4 receptor (MC4R) agonist. It is FDA-approved as Imcivree (2020) for chronic weight management in certain rare genetic forms of obesity affecting the leptin-melanocortin pathway.
- Triptorelin
Triptorelin is a synthetic decapeptide analogue of gonadotropin-releasing hormone with D-tryptophan at position 6. It is an FDA-approved GnRH agonist (Trelstar and others) used in long-acting formulations to suppress gonadal sex-steroid production.
Comparisons in this area
- PT-141 vs Melanotan II
PT-141 (bremelanotide) and Melanotan II share the same cyclic heptapeptide core and differ only at the C-terminus: a free acid versus an amide. Bremelanotide is FDA-approved as Vyleesi; Melanotan II is unapproved.
- Afamelanotide vs Melanotan II
Afamelanotide and Melanotan II are synthetic α-MSH analogues that act at melanocortin receptors. Afamelanotide is FDA-approved for erythropoietic protoporphyria; Melanotan II is unapproved. This page compares their structures, receptor selectivity, evidence, regulatory status and analytics.
- Gonadorelin vs kisspeptin-10
Gonadorelin is synthetic GnRH, acting directly on pituitary gonadotrophs, while kisspeptin-10 acts one step upstream on GnRH neurons. This page compares their sequences, place in the reproductive axis, research uses, regulatory and WADA status, and analytical concerns.