MOTS-c in the mitochondrion: this 16-amino acid peptide is encoded by the mitoch
MOTS-c (Mitochondrial ORF of the Twelve S rRNA type-c) is a 16-amino acid mitochondrial-derived peptide encoded by the mitochondrial genome. Discovered in 2015, it has become a significant research compound in metabolic regulation and exercise biology. This article provides a research-only overview.
What Is MOTS-c?
Unlike most peptides encoded by nuclear DNA, MOTS-c is encoded by the mitochondrial 16S rRNA gene. This makes it one of the few known mitochondrial-derived signaling peptides. Its molecular weight is approximately 1,629 Da. The sequence is MRWQEMGYIFYPRKLR.
Laboratory scientist inspecting glass vials while matching label sequence to lot documentation
Mechanism of Action in Research
MOTS-c has been studied for its effects on several metabolic pathways:
- AMPK activation — MOTS-c activates AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), a key cellular energy sensor
- Insulin sensitivity — studied for effects on insulin signaling pathways in skeletal muscle models
- Fatty acid oxidation — promotes mitochondrial fatty acid β-oxidation in cell culture
- Exercise mimicry — some research suggests MOTS-c produces metabolic responses similar to exercise in cellular models
Research Applications
Metabolic Regulation Research
MOTS-c is studied in metabolic disease models, particularly:
- Insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes cell models
- Obesity and adipose tissue metabolism research
- Mitochondrial dysfunction in metabolic disorders
- Exercise physiology and muscle metabolism studies
Aging and Longevity Research
MOTS-c levels decline with age in some models. This has led to research examining:
- MOTS-c as a biomarker of mitochondrial health in aging
- Effects of MOTS-c on cellular senescence markers
- Relationship between MOTS-c and NAD+ in mitochondrial aging research
For comparative aging research, see our NAD+ and Epithalon listings.
Exercise Biology Research
MOTS-c has been described as an "exercise mimetic" in some research literature, meaning it activates metabolic pathways similar to those activated by exercise in cell-based studies. This has driven interest in MOTS-c as a research tool for studying exercise-induced metabolic adaptations.
Sourcing MOTS-c for Research
- Purity — see lot COA (HPLC/MS); no catalog-wide %
- Identity — mass spec confirming 1,629 Da molecular weight
- Storage — -20°C as lyophilized powder
- COA — lot-specific documentation with HPLC and MS data
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Source MOTS-c for Your Research
Mitochondrial-derived peptide. Lot COA on request. RUO only.
View MOTS-c Catalog Listing →References
- PubChem search for MOTS-c identifiers matching the lot COA. https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/