Acetyl tetrapeptide-5
is used in cosmetic eye formulations to decrease puffiness, eye bags, and dark circles by reducing edema and protecting proteins such as SOD from glycation
Alanine
Ala / A · hydrophobic residue · neutral charge
AOD-9604
is studied as an anti-obesity peptide that can reduce weight gain and increase fat oxidation in obese animal models with generally neutral effects on IGF-1 and glucose metabolism in early human trials
Arginine
Arg / R · basic residue · positive charge
Argireline
is a topical cosmetic peptide reported to decrease dynamic wrinkles by partially mimicking the mechanism of botulinum toxin in a non-invasive manner
Asparagine
Asn / N · polar residue · neutral charge
Aspartic acid
Asp / D · acidic residue · negative charge
BPC-157
is investigated for accelerating healing of gastrointestinal mucosa, tendons, ligaments, bone, and nervous tissue in preclinical models, with anti-inflammatory and pro-angiogenic effects
Comparison
While 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, MOTS-c improves insulin sensitivity, enhances glycolysis, reduces oxidative stress, and shows protective effects in models of metabolic syndrome, aging, and ischemia-reperfusion injury8135146.
While Melanotan II works as 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, MOTS-c is a 16-amino-acid mitochondrial-derived peptide that translocates to the nucleus under metabolic stress and regulates glucose and lipid metabolism largely via activation of AMPK and modulation of mTOR and folate-cycle–linked pathways854140146.
Melanotan II
POMC
MOTS-c
MT-RNR1
Melanotan II and MOTS-c are noticeably different, with limited direct overlap in their usual biological context. Their typical research and application settings separate fairly clearly: Melanotan II is more often discussed in the realm of Dermatology and aesthetics and Reproductive health, whereas MOTS-c is more often associated with the realm of Metabolic and endocrine and Aging and longevity. They also influence different molecular systems, with Melanotan II tracking more closely to Melanocortin receptor while MOTS-c centers more on Mitochondrial membrane. Melanotan II has a more synthetic analog origin, while MOTS-c is closer to mitochondrial-encoded background with Melanotan II approved for Research use only and MOTS-c in Preclinical development. Melanotan II takes the form of a cyclic peptide, whereas MOTS-c is closer to a linear peptide, Melanotan II incorporates acetylation features that are not part of MOTS-c; while their sequence patterns also diverge, with Melanotan II showing protein-mimetic sequence features and MOTS-c showing hydrophobic domain features.
No related articles are linked to these peptides yet.