Research Use Only. Peptides Lab UK supplies research-grade materials for in-vitro laboratory research only. Nothing on this page is medical advice or an instruction for human or animal use, and no product sold on this website is a medicine.
What is MOTS-c?
MOTS-c is a 16-amino-acid peptide encoded within the mitochondrial 12S rRNA gene, one of a class of mitochondrial-derived peptides. It is not an authorised medicine in the UK.
Published research
The original 2015 report described MOTS-c as acting on skeletal muscle metabolism and AMPK signalling in mice, with effects on diet-induced insulin resistance. Later work reported nuclear translocation under metabolic stress and an exercise-induced pattern of expression, with effects on physical capacity in ageing mice. Reviews summarise its potential relevance to ageing and metabolic disease research, while noting that human data are limited.[1,2,3,4]
Limitations of the evidence
Much of the available literature is preclinical (cell and animal models) or comes from small numbers of research groups. Findings in defined experimental systems cannot be extrapolated to other settings, and this page does not provide dosing, administration or human-use information.
Laboratory handling and storage
Lyophilised peptides are generally stored sealed, protected from light and moisture, at low temperature as specified on the certificate of analysis. Once reconstituted for in-vitro work, solutions are typically kept refrigerated and used within a validated stability window. Researchers should follow their institution’s procedures and the batch documentation (HPLC purity and mass-spectrometry identity) supplied with each lot.
UK regulatory status
In the UK, medicines are regulated by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA). Research-grade compounds sold by Peptides Lab UK are supplied strictly for laboratory research; they are not medicinal products, are not manufactured to medicinal GMP standards and must not be used in humans or animals.
Related research pages
- peptide reconstitution guide
- UK research-peptide sourcing guide
- MOTS-c UK complete research guide
- Research peptides explained
References
- Lee C et al. The mitochondrial-derived peptide MOTS-c promotes metabolic homeostasis and reduces obesity and insulin resistance. Cell Metab. 2015; 21(3):443-54. doi:10.1016/j.cmet.2015.02.009 PMID: 25738459.
- 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; 28(3):516-524.e7. doi:10.1016/j.cmet.2018.06.008 PMID: 29983246.
- Reynolds JC et al. MOTS-c is an exercise-induced mitochondrial-encoded regulator of age-dependent physical decline and muscle homeostasis. Nat Commun. 2021; 12(1):470. doi:10.1038/s41467-020-20790-0 PMID: 33473109.
- Zheng Y et al. MOTS-c: A promising mitochondrial-derived peptide for therapeutic exploitation. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne). 2023; 14:1120533. doi:10.3389/fendo.2023.1120533 PMID: 36761202.
Disclaimer: All products sold by Peptides Lab UK are for laboratory research use only. Not for human or veterinary use, not for consumption, and not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. This page is an educational literature summary and is not medical advice.
