MOTS-c 10mg
MOTS-c Research Overview
MOTS-c is a 16-amino-acid mitochondrial-derived peptide encoded within the mitochondrial 12S rRNA region. Laboratory research has examined its relationship with cellular metabolism, skeletal-muscle signaling, stress-response pathways, inflammation, and mitochondrial-to-nuclear communication.
Most interventional research involving externally administered MOTS-c has been conducted in cultured cells or animal models. These findings do not establish safety, efficacy, or therapeutic effects in humans.
MOTS-c Research Areas
Metabolic and Cellular Signaling
Preclinical studies have examined MOTS-c in relation to AMPK signaling, glucose utilization, insulin-response pathways, and skeletal-muscle metabolism.
A foundational 2015 study used cultured cells and mouse models to examine MOTS-c in metabolic homeostasis. These results should not be interpreted as evidence that this product manages obesity, diabetes, or other metabolic conditions in humans.
Skeletal-Muscle Signaling
Researchers have investigated MOTS-c in relation to myostatin expression and muscle-atrophy signaling. One study combined observational measurements from human subjects with experiments involving cultured mouse muscle cells and high-fat-diet mouse models.
The study did not demonstrate increased muscle mass, enhanced athletic performance, or the treatment of muscle-wasting conditions in humans. (PMID: 33554779)
Exercise-Response Models
MOTS-c has been examined as part of the biological response to exercise. One study measured naturally occurring MOTS-c following exercise in humans and separately evaluated administered MOTS-c in young, middle-aged, and older mice.
The animal findings concerning physical performance cannot be presented as evidence that administered MOTS-c reproduces exercise or improves endurance in humans. (PMID: 33473109)
Inflammatory Signaling Models
A mouse study evaluated intraperitoneally administered MOTS-c in an experimentally induced inflammatory-pain model. Researchers measured behavioral responses, inflammatory cytokines, and signaling associated with the AMPK pathway.
These findings are limited to the specific mouse model and do not establish general anti-inflammatory effects or clinical applications. (PMID: 31926126)
Cellular Stress and Aging Research
Reviews have discussed MOTS-c in relation to mitochondrial signaling, cellular stress responses, energy metabolism, and age-associated biological changes.
This literature identifies areas for continued research but does not demonstrate that MOTS-c extends lifespan, reverses aging, or provides anti-aging effects in humans. (PMID: 36670507)
Peer-Reviewed Studies
- The mitochondrial-derived peptide MOTS-c promotes metabolic homeostasis and reduces obesity and insulin resistance Lee, C., Zeng, J., Drew, B. G., Sallam, T., Martin-Montalvo, A., Wan, J., … & Cohen, P. (2015). Cell metabolism, 21(3), 443-454.
- MOTS-c: a mitochondrial‐encoded regulator of the nucleus Benayoun, B. A., & Lee, C. (2019). BioEssays, 41(9), 1900046.
Structure

Sequence: Met-Arg-Trp-Gln-Glu-Met-Gly-Tyr-Ile-Phe-Tyr-Pro-Arg-Lys-Leu-Arg
Molecular Formula: C H N O S Molecular Weight: 2174.64 g/mol
PubChem SID: 255386757
CAS Number: 1627580-64-6
Synonyms: Mitochondrial open reading frame of the 12S rRNA-c, MT-RNR1
Certificate of Analysis
Independent laboratory testing confirms purity and composition of this research peptide.