Compound Profiles
MOTS-c: The Mitochondrial-Derived Peptide in Metabolic Research
Healthy Aminos Research Team · · 6 min read
Molecular Profile
MOTS-c (Mitochondrial Open Reading Frame of the 12S rRNA Type-C) is a 16-amino acid peptide encoded by the mitochondrial genome — not the nuclear genome. Molecular weight: 2174.69 Da (CAS: 1627580-64-6). Sequence: Met-Arg-Trp-Gln-Glu-Met-Gly-Tyr-Ile-Phe-Tyr-Pro-Arg-Lys-Leu-Arg.
MOTS-c was discovered in 2015 and represents a novel class of signaling molecules: mitochondrial-derived peptides (MDPs). Its discovery established that the mitochondrial genome encodes bioactive peptides beyond the 13 proteins previously known.
Published Research
### Foundational Discovery
[Lee et al. (2015)](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25738459/) published the foundational paper in Cell Metabolism characterizing MOTS-c. The study demonstrated that MOTS-c activated AMPK signaling and modulated the folate-methionine cycle. In mouse models, administration was associated with measurable changes in metabolic parameters including glucose homeostasis markers.
### Nuclear Translocation
[Kim et al. (2018)](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29983246/) made a landmark observation: MOTS-c was demonstrated to translocate from the cytoplasm to the nucleus under metabolic stress conditions. This was the first evidence of a mitochondrial-encoded peptide directly regulating nuclear gene expression — a novel form of retrograde (mitochondria-to-nucleus) signaling.
### Adipose Homeostasis
[Lu et al. (2019)](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30725119/) examined MOTS-c in mouse models of diet-induced metabolic changes. The study reported observations on adipose tissue markers and energy expenditure measurements in treated versus control groups.
Research Status
MOTS-c is in early-stage research. Published data is primarily from cell culture and animal models. The peptide's unique origin (mitochondrial genome) makes it of particular interest in aging and metabolic research.
Research-grade [MOTS-c](/peptides/anti-aging/mots-c) is available in 10mg vials with ≥98% HPLC purity.
*All Healthy Aminos products are for research use only. Not for human or animal consumption. Not FDA approved.*