Educational Use Only: MOTS-c is a research compound. This profile is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Consult a qualified healthcare professional.
Overview
MOTS-c (Mitochondrial Open Reading Frame of the 12S rRNA-c) is a 16-amino acid peptide encoded within the mitochondrial genome — making it one of the first mitochondria-derived peptides (MDPs) to be characterized. Discovered by Pinchas Cohen's lab at USC in 2015, MOTS-c has attracted significant attention for its roles in metabolic regulation, insulin sensitivity, and longevity.
Unlike most peptides encoded in the nuclear genome, MOTS-c is transcribed from mitochondrial DNA and acts as a retrograde signal from the mitochondria to the nucleus and other tissues.
Mechanism of Action
- AMPK activation: Directly activates AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), the master regulator of cellular energy homeostasis — mimicking effects of exercise and caloric restriction
- Folate cycle inhibition: Inhibits the folate cycle in the methionine pathway, increasing AICAR, which subsequently activates AMPK
- Nuclear translocation: Translocates to the nucleus under stress conditions, regulating gene expression
- Insulin sensitization: Increases glucose uptake in skeletal muscle independent of insulin
- Anti-inflammatory: Reduces systemic inflammation via NF-κB pathway modulation
Research Summary
| Area | Finding | Evidence Level |
|---|
| Insulin resistance | Reversed diet-induced insulin resistance in mice | Animal models |
| Exercise mimetic | Improved exercise capacity and metabolic flexibility in aged mice | Animal models |
| Longevity | Circulating MOTS-c levels correlate with centenarian status in humans | Human observational |
| Obesity | Reduced adiposity and improved metabolic markers in obese mice | Animal models |
| Aging | Levels decline with age; exogenous administration restored youthful metabolic profiles | Animal models |
Pharmacokinetics
- Half-life: Short — estimated minutes to a few hours in circulation
- Administration: Primarily subcutaneous injection in research settings
- Distribution: Reaches skeletal muscle, liver, and adipose tissue; crosses into the nucleus
Storage
- Lyophilized: -20°C, stable for 2+ years
- Reconstituted: 4°C, use within 14–30 days
- Solvent: Bacteriostatic water or sterile saline
Sourcing
Verified Vendors Carrying MOTS-c
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