Mitochondrial-derived peptide
MOTS-c
Mitochondrial-derived peptide studied in metabolic regulation
MOTS-c is a short peptide encoded within mitochondrial DNA rather than the nuclear genome, which is what makes it unusual. It is studied as a signalling molecule that reports on and responds to metabolic state, particularly in skeletal muscle.
Most of the mechanistic work is in mice and cell culture. It is one of the more interesting compounds in the metabolic research space precisely because the mechanism is novel, and one of the least characterised in humans.
Mechanism
AMPK activation
The most consistently reported finding is activation of AMPK, the cellular energy-sensing pathway, which is the proposed explanation for improved metabolic markers in animal models.
Exercise mimetic effects
Rodent studies report increased physical performance and metabolic changes resembling some adaptations to exercise. The 'exercise mimetic' label comes from this work and is a long way from being demonstrated in humans.
Cellular stress response
MOTS-c levels are reported to change with age and metabolic stress, which supports a proposed role in retrograde signalling from mitochondria to the nucleus.
Research status
Almost entirely preclinical. Mouse and cell-culture work on AMPK activation and metabolic markers is the bulk of the literature. Human data is limited to small studies measuring circulating MOTS-c levels or acute responses to exercise, which is a different question from whether administering it does anything. No large controlled trial has established efficacy or safety in humans.
Verifying a batch
- 01MOTS-c is short and comparatively straightforward to synthesise, so identity confirmation by mass spectrometry is a reasonable bar to expect.
- 02Check that the certificate reports MOTS-c specifically - the name is close enough to other mitochondrial peptides that mislabelling happens.
- 03Store lyophilised and cold; the peptide is small and degrades readily in solution.
Search lab reports for this compound →How purity is tested →
Questions
Why is MOTS-c called a mitochondrial peptide?+
Its sequence is encoded in mitochondrial DNA rather than nuclear DNA. It is produced inside the mitochondrion and acts as a signal about metabolic state.
Is MOTS-c proven in humans?+
No. Mechanistic work is largely in mice and cell culture. Human studies mostly measure natural MOTS-c levels rather than testing the peptide as an intervention.
Is it the same as other mitochondrial peptides like SS-31?+
No, they are different molecules with different proposed mechanisms. Both are studied in mitochondrial biology, but they are not interchangeable.
Related compounds
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All compounds listed here are supplied for laboratory research use only and are not medicines, supplements, or products for human consumption.