PT-141 is a frequently-searched melanocortin research peptide. This page covers what it is, the research areas it appears in, and how to source it with documentation from Australian stock.
What is PT-141?
PT-141 (bremelanotide) is a synthetic melanocortin peptide and a metabolite of Melanotan II. It acts on the MC4 receptor in the central nervous system.
"Metabolite" is the key word, and it explains where the compound came from. When Melanotan II is broken down in the body, PT-141 is one of the products formed. Chemically it is Melanotan II with the C-terminal amide group removed — a small change with a large consequence, because that group is what carried much of the MC1-receptor activity. Strip it and you lose most of the pigmentation-pathway binding while retaining activity at MC4.
That makes PT-141 considerably more selective than its parent compound. Melanotan II binds broadly across MC1, MC3, MC4 and MC5; PT-141 is concentrated on MC4. In receptor research this matters a great deal — a selective ligand lets you investigate one receptor's contribution without the confounding signal of three others firing alongside it.
The other distinguishing feature is where it acts. MC4 receptors are expressed in the central nervous system rather than peripherally, so PT-141 is studied as a centrally acting compound — the research question concerns signalling in the brain rather than a local effect at a tissue site. That places it in a different category from most peptides in this range.
Research areas
In the scientific literature, PT-141 is studied in relation to:
- MC4-receptor pathway research
- Central sexual-response research
- Melanocortin-system research
- Receptor-selectivity research across melanocortin analogues
- Central nervous system signalling research
These describe fields of scientific study — they are not claims about effects in humans. Nothing here should be read as a statement about what the compound does in a person; NextGen Peptides supplies it strictly for laboratory and in-vitro research use.
The selectivity is what ties that list together. Because PT-141 isolates MC4 activity from the rest of the melanocortin family, it functions in the literature as a comparison tool — running it against the non-selective parent compound is one of the standard methods for working out which receptor is responsible for which observation.
The melanocortin family, in order
These compounds are routinely confused, and they're best understood as one lineage narrowing from broad to specific:
- Melanotan I (afamelanotide) — linear, comparatively selective for MC1, the pigmentation-associated receptor.
- Melanotan II — cyclic and non-selective, binding across MC1, MC3, MC4 and MC5.
- PT-141 (bremelanotide) — a metabolite of Melanotan II, focused on MC4.
Our Melanotan II vs PT-141 guide works through the structural difference in detail, and Melanotan I vs II covers the other pairing.
Storage & handling
Supplied as a lyophilised (freeze-dried) powder. Store at −20°C; reconstitute with bacteriostatic water and refrigerate after mixing. See our full guide to storing and reconstituting research peptides, and what to mix it with in our bacteriostatic water guide.
Standard handling applies: run the diluent slowly down the inside wall of the vial and swirl gently rather than shaking, refrigerate at 2–8°C once mixed, keep vials boxed and out of light, and never refreeze a reconstituted solution — the freeze–thaw cycle damages peptide structure. Lyophilised powder at −20°C keeps long-term; a reconstituted vial is generally considered good for around four weeks. Concentration is determined by how much diluent you add, and our reconstitution calculator works out the resulting figures.
Sourcing PT-141 in Australia
We hold PT-141 in Australian stock, so orders placed before the daily cut-off are dispatched same or next business day — no overseas freight, no customs wait. The Certificate of Analysis is published for this batch. New to buying research peptides? Read our Australian buyer’s guide first.
Common questions about PT-141
What is PT-141?
A synthetic melanocortin peptide (bremelanotide) and a metabolite of Melanotan II, acting on the MC4 receptor in the central nervous system. Supplied for laboratory research use only.
What research areas is PT-141 studied in?
MC4-receptor pathway research, central sexual-response research, and melanocortin-system research. These are fields of study, not effects in humans.
Is PT-141 tested and does it come with a CoA?
Yes. Every batch is independently tested for purity (RP-HPLC) and identity (LC-MS), and the Certificate of Analysis for this batch is published in our CoA Library.
Is PT-141 held in Australian stock?
Yes. We hold PT-141 in Australian stock and dispatch same or next business day for orders placed before the daily cut-off.
What does "bremelanotide" mean?
It's the compound's non-proprietary name. PT-141 and bremelanotide refer to the same molecule — searching the literature under either will find the published work.
How is PT-141 different from Melanotan II?
Selectivity. PT-141 is a metabolite of Melanotan II with the C-terminal amide group removed, which strips most of the MC1 (pigmentation-pathway) activity and leaves it focused on MC4. Melanotan II binds broadly across MC1, MC3, MC4 and MC5.
Why is it called "centrally acting"?
Because MC4 receptors are expressed in the central nervous system rather than peripherally, so the research concerns signalling in the brain rather than an effect at a local tissue site.
How long does a reconstituted vial last?
Generally around four weeks refrigerated at 2–8°C when reconstituted with bacteriostatic water. Unreconstituted powder at −20°C keeps far longer. Never refreeze a reconstituted solution.
Does it need cold-chain shipping?
No. Lyophilised powder is stable in transit. Orders ship from Melbourne in discreet, unmarked packaging with tracking — see shipping & delivery.
Legal status and intended use
PT-141 is supplied by NextGen Peptides strictly as a research chemical for laboratory and in-vitro use. It is not an approved therapeutic good in Australia, it is not supplied for human or veterinary consumption, and nothing on this site constitutes medical advice. Purchasers must be 18 or over. For the regulatory framework, see our guide to the legal status of research peptides in Australia.
Quick facts
SKU: PT141-10 · 10MG per vial · Batch-tested with published CoA · Held in Australian stock · Same or next business day dispatch · For laboratory research use only.
Related research
Explore related compounds held in Australian stock: Melanotan II.
Further reading: Melanotan II vs PT-141.
Supplied strictly for laboratory and in-vitro research use only. Not for human or veterinary consumption. The research areas listed describe fields of scientific study, not claims about effects in humans, and nothing here is medical advice.