MOTS-c is a 16-amino acid peptide encoded by the mitochondrial genome, studied for its role in metabolic regulation, insulin sensitivity, and cellular energy homeostasis in preclinical models.
MOTS-c (Mitochondrial Open Reading Frame of the Twelve S rRNA type-c) is a 16-amino acid peptide encoded by a short open reading frame within the 12S ribosomal RNA gene of the mitochondrial genome. Discovered in 2015 by researchers at USC, it represents a class of mitochondria-derived peptides (MDPs) with systemic regulatory functions that challenge the long-held view of mitochondria as purely energy-producing organelles.
Unlike nuclear-encoded peptides, MOTS-c is translated directly from mitochondrial DNA, making it one of the few known bioactive peptides of mitochondrial origin. Its discovery revealed that mitochondria function as signaling organelles capable of producing regulatory peptides that communicate with the nucleus and peripheral tissues — a concept now referred to as mitochondrial retrograde signaling.
Studies in rodent models have shown that circulating MOTS-c levels decline with age, paralleling age-related metabolic dysfunction. In one study, exogenous MOTS-c administration in aged mice restored exercise capacity and improved metabolic parameters to levels comparable to younger animals. Researchers have proposed MOTS-c as a mitokine — a mitochondria-derived signal that coordinates systemic metabolic adaptation in response to physiological stress and aging. All NuvoTide MOTS-c is supplied for in-vitro research use only.
For in-vitro research use only. Not for human or veterinary use.