MOTS-c 10mg

Research applications

• Mitochondrial-nuclear signalling research
• Insulin sensitivity and glucose metabolism studies in rodent models
• Exercise physiology and skeletal muscle metabolism research
• AMPK pathway activation studies

What the literature reports on MOTS-c

MOTS-c was identified through a screen of small open reading frames within mitochondrial DNA and is classified among the mitochondrial-derived peptides, a group that also includes humanin. Its discovery and initial characterisation are documented in metabolic research literature examining peptides encoded outside the nuclear genome.

Metabolic regulation research

Rodent studies have reported that MOTS-c administration influences glucose homeostasis and insulin sensitivity, with research describing activation of the AMPK signalling pathway as a proposed mechanism. This line of research has extended to diet-induced obesity models, where studies have reported changes in metabolic parameters associated with AMPK pathway engagement.

Mitochondrial-nuclear communication

Under conditions of metabolic stress, research has reported that MOTS-c translocates to the nucleus, where it has been described as interacting with stress-responsive transcription factors including NRF2. This research programme positions MOTS-c as a signalling molecule that coordinates mitochondrial and nuclear gene expression, a mechanism studied across several independent laboratories.

Exercise physiology research

Because MOTS-c is expressed in skeletal muscle and modulated by metabolic demand, exercise physiology studies have examined circulating MOTS-c levels in relation to physical activity in both animal models and human cohort research. This has positioned MOTS-c as a research tool for studying the molecular links between mitochondrial function and exercise-induced metabolic adaptation.

Ageing research

Circulating MOTS-c levels have been reported to decline with age in cohort studies, a finding that has extended MOTS-c research into the broader mitochondrial-ageing literature alongside other metabolic compounds in this catalogue's LEAN and FOCUS categories, such as NAD+. Animal studies have used MOTS-c administration as a tool to examine whether restoring peptide levels affects age-associated metabolic decline.

Comparative mitochondrial-derived peptide research

MOTS-c is studied alongside other mitochondrial-derived peptides, most notably humanin, in comparative research examining how peptides encoded within mitochondrial DNA contribute to cell-autonomous and systemic metabolic signalling, a research area that remains under active investigation across independent laboratories.

Laboratory handling

MOTS-c should be stored as lyophilised powder at -20°C, protected from light and moisture, until reconstitution. Reconstitution follows standard peptide practice: diluent introduced slowly along the vial wall, followed by gentle mixing rather than shaking.

• Lyophilised powder: store at -20°C, protected from light, until reconstitution.
• Reconstitution: introduce diluent slowly along the vial wall; mix gently, do not shake.
• Post-reconstitution: 2-8°C for short-term laboratory use; avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles.
• Each batch ships with a certificate of analysis confirming ≥99% purity by HPLC and identity by mass spectrometry.

See the peptide reconstitution and storage guide for a full protocol reference. This product is intended for laboratory research use only.