MOTS-c

Mitochondrial-derived peptide · 16-residue peptide

Identifier graph

Cross-references to canonical chemistry knowledge graphs. Each binding is the same identity used in PubMed-indexed literature.

CAS Registry Number
1627580-64-6 · CAS Common Chemistry
InChIKey
WYTHCOXVWRKRAH-LOKRTKBUSA-N
PubChem CID
CID 146675088
ChEMBL
CHEMBL217327
Molecular weight
2174.56 g/mol
IUPAC name
(4S)-4-[[(2S)-5-amino-2-[[(2S)-2-[[(2S)-2-[[(2S)-2-amino-4-methylsulfanylbutanoyl]amino]-5-carbamimidamidopentanoyl]amino]-3-(1H-indol-3-yl)propanoyl]amino]-5-oxopentanoyl]amino]-5-[[(2S)-1-[[2-[[(2S)-1-[[(2S,3S)-1-[[(2S)-1-[[(2S)-1-[(2S)-2-[[(2S)-1-[[(2S)-6-amino-1-[[(2S)-1-[[(1S)-4-carbamimidamido-1-carboxybutyl]amino]-4-methyl-1-oxopentan-2-yl]amino]-1-oxohexan-2-yl]amino]-5-carbamimidamido-1-oxopentan-2-yl]carbamoyl]pyrrolidin-1-yl]-3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-1-oxopropan-2-yl]amino]-1-oxo-3-phenylpropan-2-yl]amino]-3-methyl-1-oxopentan-2-yl]amino]-3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-1-oxopropan-2-yl]amino]-2-oxoethyl]amino]-4-methylsulfanyl-1-oxobutan-2-yl]amino]-5-oxopentanoic acid

What is MOTS-c?

MOTS-c (Mitochondrial Open-reading-frame of the Twelve S rRNA-c) is a 16-residue peptide encoded by an open reading frame within the mitochondrial 12S rRNA gene. It is part of an emerging class of mitochondrial-derived peptides (MDPs) that appear to signal from mitochondria to the nucleus and to peripheral tissues, modulating cellular metabolism in response to mitochondrial state.

CAS 1627580-64-6, molecular weight 2174.56 g/mol. ChEMBL ID CHEMBL217327. The compound was first characterised by Lee and colleagues in 2015 and has been a subject of accelerating research interest in metabolic and ageing biology.

Mechanism of action

MOTS-c acts as a mitokine — a signalling molecule released from mitochondria that influences cellular metabolic state through both peripheral and central pathways. Published mechanisms include activation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), regulation of folate/methionine metabolism, and translocation to the nucleus where it appears to modulate gene expression in response to metabolic stress.

MOTS-c levels decline with age in published rodent studies, and exogenous MOTS-c administration appears to ameliorate age-related metabolic decline in preclinical models — observations that drive most current research interest.

Research context

Investigated in preclinical models of insulin resistance, age-related metabolic decline, exercise adaptation, and mitochondrial-dysfunction disease states. MOTS-c is an emerging research target and the literature is rapidly expanding from a small base of foundational papers.

Analytical specifications

Every batch of MOTS-c supplied by NMChem is characterised by reversed-phase HPLC for purity determination and by mass spectrometry for identity confirmation. Certificate of Analysis (COA) documents are issued per batch and made available on request.

Identity is confirmed by electrospray-ionisation mass spectrometry (ESI-MS); the observed mass falls within ±2 Da of the theoretical monoisotopic mass calculated from the residue sequence. Purity is determined by reversed-phase HPLC on a C18 column with a trifluoroacetic-acid-modified water/acetonitrile gradient and reported as the area-under-curve percentage of the main peak at 214 nm. NMChem specification is ≥99% main peak. Material ships as lyophilised powder and must be reconstituted in sterile water or bacteriostatic water immediately before use.

Browse the COA database

UK regulatory status

Supplied as a research-grade reference standard for laboratory use only. Not a licensed medicinal product in the United Kingdom and not approved by the MHRA for human or veterinary administration. Sale is restricted to researchers, institutions and laboratory professionals; the compound must be retained within research premises. End-user compliance with the Human Medicines Regulations 2012, the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 (where applicable) and local institutional biosafety policy is the responsibility of the buyer.

Research literature

Selected peer-reviewed publications from PubMed referencing this compound.

  1. MOTS-c Functionally Prevents Metabolic Disorders. Gao Y et al. · Metabolites · 2023
    PubMed PMID 36677050
  2. MOTS-c reduces myostatin and muscle atrophy signaling. Kumagai H et al. · American journal of physiology. Endocrinology and metabolism · 2021
    PubMed PMID 33554779
  3. MOTS-c: A promising mitochondrial-derived peptide for therapeutic exploitation. Zheng Y et al. · Frontiers in endocrinology · 2023
    PubMed PMID 36761202

Related compounds

Other research compounds in adjacent mechanism classes or commonly used alongside MOTS-c.

  • SS-31
    Mitochondrial-targeted tetrapeptide · Elamipretide
  • NAD+
    Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide · cellular coenzyme
  • Epitalon
    Pineal tetrapeptide Ala-Glu-Asp-Gly

Frequently asked questions about MOTS-c

What does MOTS-c stand for?
MOTS-c stands for Mitochondrial Open-reading-frame of the Twelve S rRNA-c. The peptide is encoded by a small open reading frame within the mitochondrial 12S rRNA gene, which is unusual — most mitochondrial proteins are encoded in the nuclear genome and imported.
Why is MOTS-c considered an 'anti-ageing' research compound?
MOTS-c levels decline with age in published rodent and human studies, and exogenous MOTS-c administration has been shown to ameliorate age-related metabolic decline in preclinical models. The research literature is still developing; NMChem supplies the peptide as a research-grade reference standard for laboratory characterisation, not as a therapeutic intervention.

Get research-grade MOTS-c from NMChem

UK supplier · HPLC and MS verified · Per-batch Certificate of Analysis · Tracked Royal Mail dispatch.

View product specifications →