Comparison

Kisspeptin vs Melanotan II

Function

While Kisspeptin is a key regulator of the hypothalamic–pituitary–gonadal axis, controlling puberty and fertility; kisspeptin-10 also inhibits trophoblast invasion and tumor metastasis in experimental models339199, Melanotan II is studied as a tanning and libido-enhancing agent; increases melanin production and can reduce food intake and modulate sexual arousal in animal models and humans3545.

Mechanism

While Kisspeptin works as a family of peptides (eg, kisspeptin-10, -13, -14, -54) derived from the KISS1 precursor that activate G-protein–coupled receptor KISS1R (GPR54), triggering GnRH release and regulating pubertal onset and reproductive axis activity339199, Melanotan II is a cyclic heptapeptide melanocortin analog (Ac-Nle-cyclo[Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Lys]-NH2) that acts as a non-selective, high-potency agonist at MC1R, MC3R, MC4R, and MC5R, influencing pigmentation, appetite, and sexual behavior3545.

Length and Sequence

Kisspeptin is 10 amino acids long, whereas Melanotan II is shorter as it has a length of 7 amino acids. Kisspeptin is made up of a sequence of Tyrosine, Asparagine, Tryptophan, Asparagine, Serine, Phenylalanine, Glycine, Leucine, Arginine, Tyrosine. Melanotan II is made up of a sequence of Nle, Aspartic acid, Histidine, Phenylalanine, Arginine, Tryptophan, Lysine.

Receptor

Kisspeptin

KISS1R (GPR54) kisspeptin receptor33919943

Melanotan II

Melanocortin receptors MC1R, MC3R, MC4R, and MC5R (non-selective agonist) 3545

Organism or Origin

Kisspeptin

Endogenous human peptide products of the KISS1 gene9199

Melanotan II

Synthetic analog of POMC-derived melanocortin peptides358190

Gene

Kisspeptin

KISS1

Melanotan II

POMC

Sources

70Kisspeptin-10, rat, https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Kisspeptin-10_-rat
91Kisspeptin - Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kisspeptin
99Kisspeptin-1 - an overview, https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/biochemistry-genetics-and-molecular-biology/kisspeptin-1
35What is melanotan II? - Creative Peptides, https://www.creative-peptides.com/resources/what-is-melanotan-ii-peptide.html
45[PDF] melanotan-II peptide structure and molecular formula - Benchchem, https://www.benchchem.com/pdf/melanotan_II_peptide_structure_and_molecular_formula.pdf
81Proopiomelanocortin (POMC), the ACTH/melanocortin precursor, is ..., https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2253185/
90alpha-Melanocyte stimulating hormone: production and degradation, https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3936413/