What is MOTS-c, and what is it studied for?

What is the structure of MOTS-c?

Sequence MRWQEMGYIFYPRKLR, translated from mitochondrial DNA. Supplied lyophilized as the acetate salt; identity by LC-MS against the calculated mass, purity by HPLC-UV.

Identifier	Value
Molecular formula	C101H152N28O22S2
Molecular weight	2174.6 g/mol
Residues	16
CAS number	1627580-64-6
PubChem CID	146675088
Current lot	MOTS10-0803

How is MOTS-c thought to work?

MOTS-c inhibits the folate cycle and de novo purine synthesis, which raises AICAR and activates AMPK, the central energy sensor. Under metabolic stress it translocates to the nucleus and regulates gene expression through stress-response transcription factors. Circulating levels rise with exercise and fall with age in the studies that have measured them.

Which research areas use MOTS-c?

Area	Typical models and endpoints
AMPK activation	Phosphorylation readouts and downstream glucose-uptake assays in muscle cells.
Skeletal muscle and exercise	Rodent models of exercise capacity and metabolic adaptation.
Insulin sensitivity	Diet-induced insulin-resistance models.
Mitochondrial signalling	Nuclear translocation and gene-expression profiling under stress.

What does the published literature show?

Lee, Cohen and colleagues described MOTS-c in Cell Metabolism in 2015, including its AMPK activation and metabolic effects in mice. Later work from the same group reported exercise-responsive regulation in humans and nuclear translocation under stress. A small early-phase clinical programme by a biotechnology company exists. Research use of the material sold here is in-vitro and preclinical.

How is MOTS-c handled in the laboratory?

Dissolves readily. Standard reconstitution; refrigerate at 2 to 8°C; 28-day window. Contains methionine, so protect from light and minimise headspace. The concentration table covers dilution volumes and microlitre aliquots; the storage guide covers stability by compound class.

What does the current certificate show?

Lot MOTS10-0803 tested at 99.84% purity by RP-HPLC (214 nm), identity confirmed by LC-MS/MS, endotoxin <0.05 EU/mL. The certificate is in the COA library and the lot number on the vial matches it. Sold as 10 mg per vial at $100, for laboratory research only.

Certificate history for MOTS-c

Every certificate the library holds for this compound, newest first. A replaced lot stays listed so the history can be read; the certificate dataset reads all 114 together.

Frequently asked questions

References

1. Lee C et al. The mitochondrial-derived peptide MOTS-c promotes metabolic homeostasis and reduces obesity and insulin resistance. Cell Metab. 2015.
2. Reynolds JC et al. MOTS-c is an exercise-induced mitochondrial-encoded regulator of age-dependent physical decline and muscle homeostasis. Nat Commun. 2021.
3. Kim KH et al. The mitochondrial-encoded peptide MOTS-c translocates to the nucleus to regulate nuclear gene expression in response to metabolic stress. Cell Metab. 2018.

Clinical results cited above describe regulated trials of pharmaceutical products and are given as context for research interest only. Nothing on this page describes or recommends use of the material sold here in humans or animals.