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MOTS-c: Compound Profile
MOTS-c is the mitochondrial-derived member of the class, the counterpart to the membrane-targeting SS-31. It is unusual: a peptide the mitochondrion itself encodes and exports as a signal. This profile covers its identity, the metabolic mechanism the literature attributes to it, and how it differs from SS-31. For the class, see the mitochondrial peptides overview.
What is MOTS-c?#
MOTS-c (mitochondrial open reading frame of the 12S rRNA type-c) is a mitochondrial-derived peptide: a short peptide encoded within the mitochondrial genome, in the 12S rRNA region, rather than in nuclear DNA. It is produced inside the mitochondrion and acts as a signaling molecule in the cell and body. This origin places it among the mitochondrial-derived peptides (MDPs), a relatively recently characterized class of signaling molecules.
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Common name | MOTS-c |
| Class | Mitochondrial-derived peptide (MDP); 16-residue peptide |
| Sequence | Met-Arg-Trp-Gln-Glu-Met-Gly-Tyr-Ile-Phe-Tyr-Pro-Arg-Lys-Leu-Arg (MRWQEMGYIFYPRKLR) |
| CAS number | 1627580-64-6 |
| Origin | Encoded in the mitochondrial 12S rRNA region |
| Primary study area | Metabolic regulation and AMPK signaling |
What does the research literature study?#
MOTS-c is studied as a regulator of metabolic homeostasis, with the AMPK pathway the most-cited mechanism in the literature. As a mitochondrial-derived signaling peptide, it is examined for how the mitochondrion communicates metabolic state to the rest of the cell, which also gives it relevance to metabolic peptide research. This is preclinical and pharmacology research; it does not establish outcomes in people.
How it relates to SS-31#
MOTS-c comes from the mitochondrion, encoded in its DNA and acting as an exported signal. SS-31 targets the mitochondrion from outside, binding cardiolipin in the inner membrane. The two represent opposite relationships to the organelle, which the mechanism explainer develops in full.
Handling and storage#
MOTS-c ships as a lyophilized powder for reconstitution. As a 16-residue peptide it follows standard handling: the reconstitution primer covers solvent choice and aggregation risk, and the cold-chain article covers stability once reconstituted.
Frequently asked
- What is MOTS-c?
- MOTS-c is a mitochondrial-derived peptide: a 16-residue peptide encoded within the mitochondrial genome (the 12S rRNA region) rather than nuclear DNA. It acts as a signaling molecule and is studied for metabolic regulation via the AMPK pathway. It is a laboratory research compound and is not for human use.
- What does "mitochondrial-derived peptide" mean?
- It means the peptide is encoded within the mitochondrion's own small genome and produced inside the organelle, then exported to act as a signal elsewhere in the cell. MOTS-c is one such peptide. This origin distinguishes it from peptides like SS-31, which are synthetic and target the mitochondrion from outside.
- How is MOTS-c different from SS-31?
- MOTS-c comes from the mitochondrion (encoded in its DNA, acting as a metabolic signal via AMPK), whereas SS-31 targets the mitochondrion from outside (binding cardiolipin in the inner membrane, studied for bioenergetics). One is produced by the organelle; the other acts on it.
Sources and further reading#
- Lee et al., The mitochondrial-derived peptide MOTS-c promotes metabolic homeostasis and reduces insulin resistance, Cell Metabolism 2015 (PMID 25738459): the foundational MOTS-c discovery paper.
Last updated: 2026-05-27