MOTS-c
Mitochondrial-derived peptide
Overview
Sequence MRWQEMGYIFYPRKLR, 16 residues, encoded inside the 12S rRNA region of the human mitochondrial genome, MOTS-c is one of the better-characterised members of the mitochondrial-derived peptide (MDP) class. MDPs are a relatively recent addition to the peptide therapeutics universe: they are translated from short open reading frames sitting inside mitochondrial ribosomal RNAs, a class of peptides the textbooks did not acknowledge until the early 2010s. MOTS-c signalling itself runs retrograde, from mitochondrion to nucleus, through AMPK-axis activation; the published research portfolio spans glucose metabolism, insulin-sensitivity endpoints, exercise-capacity studies, body-weight regulation, and the broader landscape of age-related mitochondrial decline. For 503A pharmacies tracking the regulatory pipeline: MOTS-c is currently scheduled on the FDA PCAC July 2026 agenda for review against the 503A bulks list, with proposed indications covering obesity and osteoporosis. For compounding pharmacy buyers, Vialdyne releases MOTS-c acetate as a lyophilised powder against a ≥99.0% main-peak HPLC specification. The standard batch packet pairs RP-HPLC peak integration with ESI-MS at the 1933 Da theoretical mass, Karl Fischer water, and counter-ion quantitation; LC-MS/MS sequence verification is available as a documented add-on. Plasma half-life is short, on the order of minutes to a couple of hours, so MOTS-c functions as a tool for acute mitochondrial-signalling protocols rather than sustained-elevation work, repeat dosing or sustained-release formulation is required to hold biological exposure across longer windows. Four nominal strengths from 10 to 40 mg cover both aliquot-scale bench work and small-batch dispensing inside a single qualified supplier line.
Who buys this, and why
Mitochondrial-targeted peptides ship primarily to research labs studying OXPHOS, ROS biology, and mitochondrial dysfunction in disease models. The lipophilic / cationic character that drives mitochondrial accumulation also makes these peptides somewhat oxidation-prone in solution, working stocks should be prepared fresh or held at -80 °C rather than -20 °C when the workflow permits.
Primary buyer fit: 503A / 503B compounding pharmacies and academic and contract research laboratories.
Specifications
- CAS
- 1627580-64-6
- Sequence
- MRWQEMGYIFYPRKLR
- Purity (HPLC)
- ≥ 99.0%
- Common vial sizes
- 10 mg, 15 mg, 20 mg, 40 mg
- MOQ
- On request
- Lead time
- 10–18 days
- Storage
- -20°C, protect from light
Documentation available on request
- Certificate of Analysis (COA)
- HPLC Chromatogram
- Mass-spec identity (ESI-MS)
- Sequence verification (LC-MS/MS)
- Oxidative-stability data
- Bacterial endotoxin (LAL, USP <85>)
- Bioburden screening
- SDS / MSDS
Regulatory note
Currently under FDA PCAC review (July 2026) for inclusion on the 503A bulks list with the proposed indications of obesity and osteoporosis.
Frequently asked questions
What makes MOTS-c interesting as a mitochondrial-derived peptide?▾
MOTS-c was among the earliest mitochondrial-derived peptides (MDPs) identified, a class of short peptides translated from previously-overlooked open reading frames inside mitochondrial ribosomal RNA. The discovery rewrote the textbook claim that mitochondrial DNA encodes only 13 OXPHOS-subunit protein products and exposed a second layer of nucleus-targeted signalling peptides emerging from mitochondrial transcripts. MOTS-c itself signals retrograde, mitochondrion-to-nucleus, activating AMPK-axis pathways and modulating nuclear gene expression in response to metabolic stress. That mechanism is fundamentally distinct from the receptor-pharmacology playbook that dominates the rest of the metabolism and longevity peptide space.
How is MOTS-c different from SS-31 (Elamipretide) within the mitochondrial category?▾
Both molecules sit inside mitochondrial biology but engage it from opposite directions. MOTS-c is an endogenously-encoded signalling peptide that travels retrograde from mitochondrion to nucleus through AMPK and related metabolic-sensor pathways; the effect is gene-expression modulation. SS-31 (Elamipretide) is a synthetic mitochondria-targeted peptide that partitions into the inner mitochondrial membrane and physically protects cardiolipin from peroxidation; the effect is direct biochemical preservation of OXPHOS machinery. The selection criterion is the experimental endpoint, metabolic-signalling and gene-expression work points to MOTS-c, while oxidative-stress and OXPHOS-integrity work points to SS-31.