MOTS-C: A Research Guide to the Mitochondrial-Derived Peptide
By Peptura Research Team/17 May 2026/6 min read
What MOTS-C Is
MOTS-C, the Mitochondrial Open reading frame of the Twelve S rRNA-C, is a 16-amino-acid peptide encoded within the mitochondrial 12S ribosomal RNA region of human mitochondrial DNA. Lee and colleagues at the University of Southern California identified and characterised it in 2015, publishing in Cell Metabolism. MOTS-C belongs to a small family of mitochondrial-derived peptides (MDPs) that includes Humanin, and it has quickly become one of the most actively studied tools in research on mitochondrial-nuclear signalling crosstalk.
A Young Field of Peptides
Mitochondrial-derived peptides are a fairly new corner of biology. Before Humanin surfaced in 2001 and MOTS-C in 2015, the mitochondrial genome was assumed to encode only the 13 proteins of the electron transport chain plus the rRNAs and tRNAs needed to make them. Finding small open reading frames within the mitochondrial 16S and 12S rRNA regions that yield biologically active peptides overturned that assumption. MOTS-C is among the best-characterised members of the class.
AMPK and Energy Sensing
Most MOTS-C work sits in metabolic homeostasis and energy sensing. Published research shows MOTS-C activates AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), the cellular energy sensor that responds to a rising AMP/ATP ratio. AMPK activation turns up catabolic pathways such as fatty acid oxidation and glucose uptake while turning down anabolic ones such as protein and lipid synthesis. That places MOTS-C research alongside broader work on AMPK modulators like metformin, AICAR, and exercise mimetics, though with mechanistic features of its own.
Research Applications
MOTS-C has been studied in models of insulin sensitivity, obesity-induced metabolic dysfunction, exercise physiology, and ageing biology. In mouse models it has shown effects on glucose tolerance, weight regulation under a high-fat diet, and exercise capacity, and it has been examined in bone metabolism and immune function too. Interest has since widened to the role of mitochondrial-derived peptides as endocrine signalling molecules acting well beyond the mitochondrion that made them.
Laboratory Handling
MOTS-C comes as lyophilised powder. Store at -20°C before reconstitution. Reconstitute with bacteriostatic water by running the diluent slowly down the side of the vial and swirling gently. Keep reconstituted solutions at 2-8°C and use within four weeks, avoiding repeated freeze-thaw cycles that compromise integrity.
Sourcing in the UK
Peptura supplies research-grade MOTS-C 10mg with full third-party Certificate of Analysis on every product page. Same-day UK dispatch on orders placed before 2pm GMT, free Royal Mail Tracked shipping over £45. For in-vitro laboratory research use only.
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Disclaimer: This article is for research and educational purposes only. All information provided is not intended as medical advice. Peptura products are not for human consumption and are sold strictly for laboratory research use only.