What is PT-141?
PT-141, also designated bremelanotide, is a synthetic cyclic peptide supplied as lyophilised powder for laboratory research. It belongs to the melanocortin class and is used as a reference ligand in melanocortin receptor pharmacology.
PT-141 structure
The compound is cyclic rather than linear. Cyclisation constrains the conformation the peptide can adopt, which is the structural feature distinguishing it from linear melanocortin sequences and which affects both its chromatographic behaviour and its receptor selectivity profile.
Specification figures for PT-141
The sequence, molecular formula and molecular weight for the lot supplied are stated on its certificate of analysis. Published figures for research compounds are not always consistent between sources, so this page defers to the certificate rather than restating a value that may not match the material in the vial.
Regulatory status
Bremelanotide holds no marketing authorisation from the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency, and no application has been submitted to the European Medicines Agency. It is not a licensed medicine in the United Kingdom and is supplied here solely as laboratory reference material.
Analysis and certification
Each lot of PT-141 is analysed by an independent laboratory using RP-HPLC with LC-MS identity confirmation before it is released for sale. The certificate of analysis is published against the lot number rather than the product page, so the document you read is the document for the vial you receive.
Research use only
NH Peptides supplies PT-141 as an analytical reference standard for laboratory research. It is not supplied for any use in humans or animals, and no information on this page describes or implies any such use.
Purity specification for PT-141
Lots are released against a ≥99% purity specification, determined by RP-HPLC peak area. The figure for the lot you receive is stated on its certificate of analysis and may differ from the specification.
A specification is a release threshold, not a description of every lot. Where a measured figure and the specification differ, the certificate is the record that applies to your material. Analytical figures relate to the lot they are published against and carry no implication of suitability for any purpose beyond laboratory research.
| Compound |
PT-141 |
| Also known as |
Bremelanotide |
| Class |
Synthetic cyclic peptide, melanocortin ligand |
| Sequence |
Stated on the certificate of analysis |
| Amino acids |
Stated on the certificate of analysis |
| CAS number |
Stated on the certificate of analysis |
| Molecular formula |
Stated on the certificate of analysis |
| Molecular weight |
Stated on the certificate of analysis |
| Appearance |
White to off white lyophilised powder |
| Purity specification |
≥99% |
| Identity method |
LC-MS |
| Purity method |
RP-HPLC |
| Solubility |
Soluble in sterile water and aqueous buffers for analytical preparation |
| Labelled quantity |
10mg |
How PT-141 is tested
Two separate analyses are carried out on every lot before it is released, and both appear on the certificate.
RP-HPLC, for purity
Reversed phase high performance liquid chromatography separates the material by hydrophobicity. The main peak is integrated against the total peak area to give the purity figure. This is what the ≥99% specification refers to, and it is a measure of how much of the material is the intended compound rather than related substances, residual reagents or truncated sequences.
LC-MS, for identity
Liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry confirms that the material eluting in the main peak has the expected mass. Purity alone does not establish identity: a lot can be 99% pure and still be the wrong compound. The two analyses answer different questions and both are needed.
What arrives with the order
- The vial, labelled with compound, labelled quantity and lot number
- A dispatch note listing the lot numbers supplied
- A storage and handling sheet
- The certificate of analysis for the lot, published against the lot number
If any of these is missing, or if the lot number on the vial does not match the certificate, contact us before using the material.
Storing PT-141
Lyophilised material is shipped under cold chain and should be returned to freezer storage on arrival. Store the sealed vial dry at −20°C or below, protected from light and moisture.
Preparing PT-141 stock solutions
Prepare stock solutions in sterile water or an appropriate aqueous buffer for analytical work, at a concentration suited to your assay. Confirm solubility against the certificate of analysis before preparing stocks.
Peptide solutions are less stable than lyophilised powder. Prepare close to the point of use, hold at 2–8°C for short periods only, and avoid repeated freeze and thaw cycles.
Handling and disposal
Assess the hazards of this material before handling and use appropriate controls and protective equipment. It has not been characterised toxicologically and should be treated as potentially hazardous.
Dispose of unused material, vials and packaging lawfully and in line with your institution's waste procedures. Anyone handling the material must be trained and competent to do so.
On receipt
Check the parcel before putting the material away. Three things are worth two minutes:
- Packaging integrity. Confirm the vial is intact, the seal is unbroken and the insulated packaging has not failed in transit.
- Lot number. Check the number on the vial label against the certificate of analysis and against the dispatch note. All three should agree.
- Return to storage. Move the material into its stated storage conditions promptly rather than leaving it at ambient temperature.
If anything does not match, or the packaging has clearly failed, contact us before using the material. Problems visible on arrival should be reported within 7 days so a carrier claim remains possible.
Record keeping
Record the lot number in your notes at the point of first use, alongside the date the vial was opened and the concentration of any stock solution prepared. Certificates are published against the lot number rather than the product, so the lot number is the only reliable link between your results and the analytical data for the material that produced them.