Pharmacology & biology
Melanocortin system
Also known as: melanocortin receptor · mc4r · mc1r
A receptor family governing pigmentation, appetite, and sexual arousal — the target of PT-141 and melanotan II.
In plain terms
Different melanocortin receptors do different jobs: MC1R drives pigmentation, MC4R influences appetite and sexual function. Compounds that hit several of them produce the whole set of effects, which is why melanotan II both tans skin and causes spontaneous erections and nausea.
PT-141 (bremelanotide) is the more selective descendant, developed specifically for the sexual-function effect.
Compounds where this comes up
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