Comparison

Liraglutide vs Melanotan II

Function

While Liraglutide is approved for type 2 diabetes and weight management, improving glycemic control and inducing weight loss through GLP-1–mediated insulinotropic, glucagonostatic, and appetite-suppressing actions6880, 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 Liraglutide works as a human GLP-1 analog with a single amino-acid substitution (Lys34→Arg) and a C16 palmitoyl fatty acid attached to Lys26 via a glutamate linker, producing a long-acting GLP-1 receptor agonist6880, 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

Liraglutide is 31 amino acids long, whereas Melanotan II is shorter as it has a length of 7 amino acids. Liraglutide is made up of a sequence of sequence data not available in the current dataset. Melanotan II is made up of a sequence of Nle, Aspartic acid, Histidine, Phenylalanine, Arginine, Tryptophan, Lysine.

Receptor

Liraglutide

GLP-1 receptor (GLP1R) 6880

Melanotan II

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

Organism or Origin

Liraglutide

Synthetic analog of human GLP-16880

Melanotan II

Synthetic analog of POMC-derived melanocortin peptides358190

Gene

Liraglutide

GCG

Melanotan II

POMC

Sources

68Glucagon-like peptide-1 analogues: An overview - PMC, https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3712370/
80GLP-1 Localisation and Proglucagon Gene Expression in ..., https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6200298/
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/