Function
While LL-37 acts as a broad-spectrum antimicrobial and immunomodulatory peptide involved in host defense and wound repair, but can also promote inflammation and cancer cell proliferation in some contexts5215, 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 LL-37 works as a cationic amphipathic 37-amino-acid cathelicidin peptide generated from hCAP18 that disrupts microbial membranes and modulates innate immunity, including chemotaxis, cytokine induction, and NET formation521586, 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
LL-37 is 37 amino acids long, whereas Melanotan II is shorter as it has a length of 7 amino acids. LL-37 is made up of a sequence of Leucine, Leucine, Glycine, Aspartic acid, Phenylalanine, Phenylalanine, Arginine, Lysine, Serine, Lysine, Glutamic acid, Lysine, Isoleucine, Glycine, Lysine, Glutamic acid, Phenylalanine, Lysine, Arginine, Isoleucine, Valine, Glutamine, Arginine, Isoleucine, Lysine, Aspartic acid, Phenylalanine, Leucine, Arginine, Asparagine, Leucine, Valine, Proline, Arginine, Threonine, Glutamic acid, Serine. Melanotan II is made up of a sequence of Nle, Aspartic acid, Histidine, Phenylalanine, Arginine, Tryptophan, Lysine.