Description
MOTS-C is a 16-amino-acid peptide encoded within the mitochondrial 12S rRNA — a region previously considered non-coding. Discovered in 2015 by Lee et al. at USC, it is a founding member of the mitochondrial-derived peptides (MDPs) — a new class of retrograde signalling molecules that travel from mitochondria to the nucleus to regulate energy homeostasis. MOTS-C plasma levels decline with age and obesity, making it a key biomarker and research tool for metabolic dysfunction, exercise biology, insulin resistance, and longevity — with its unique AMPK activation mechanism entirely distinct from any existing pharmacological class.
≥99%HPLC Purity
10mgPer Vial
10+Years Researched
16 aaStructure
Research Data
Research Snapshot — MOTS-C
Key Mechanisms & Pathways
- AMPK Activation via AICARInhibits MTHFD1 in the folate cycle → AICAR accumulation → AMPK phosphorylation at Thr172 — mimicking aerobic exercise.
- Nuclear Retrograde SignalTranslocates from mitochondria to nucleus under metabolic stress, directly modifying ARE/Nrf2 gene expression.
- GLUT4 TranslocationAMPK-driven TBC1D1/AS160 phosphorylation drives GLUT4 vesicle fusion — glucose uptake without insulin receptor activation.
- β-Oxidation EnhancementAMPK inhibits ACC, reducing malonyl-CoA and relieving CPT-1 inhibition → increased mitochondrial fatty acid import.
- mTORC1 SuppressionAMPK phosphorylates TSC2 and Raptor, suppressing anabolic mTORC1 — the signature metabolic state of caloric restriction.
- NF-κB Anti-InflammatorySuppresses IL-6, TNF-α and IL-1β in inflammatory challenge models; improved survival in sepsis models.
Preclinical & Clinical Research Summary
| Research Area | Key Finding | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Obesity Prevention | −35% body weight gain vs. HFD controls; near-normal glucose tolerance restored. | Lee C et al., 2015 — Cell Metab |
| Exercise Mimicry | MOTS-C plasma rises during exercise; exogenous admin reproduces key metabolic training adaptations. | Reynolds JC et al., 2021 — Nat Commun |
| Insulin Sensitivity | Improved skeletal muscle glucose disposal independently of insulin receptor signalling. | Kim KH et al., 2019 — Exp Mol Med |
| Aging / Healthspan | Restored physical performance and insulin sensitivity in aged mice; extended healthspan. | Lee C et al., 2015 — Cell Metab |
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):443–454.
- Reynolds JC et al. “MOTS-c is an exercise-induced mitochondrial-encoded regulator of age-dependent physical decline and muscle homeostasis.” Nat Commun, 2021;12:470.
- Kim KH et al. “MOTS-c peptide increases physical endurance and insulin sensitivity.” Exp Mol Med, 2019;51:1–12.
- Bhaskaran S et al. “Mitochondria-derived peptide MOTS-c restores cardiovascular function during aging.” Ageing Res Rev, 2020;62:101128.
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Nederlands
MOTS-C 10mg is doing the job for my research purposes. metabolic flexibility is the primary outcome I’m tracking and it’s moving in the right direction.
Verified purchase — Finland
Impressed by the professionalism. MOTS-C 10mg came with a full COA, proper cold packaging, and exercise recovery results are measurable.
Verified purchase — Finland
Best vendor I have tried for MOTS-C 10mg. Purity is clearly above average and exercise recovery results prove it over a 8 week run. Verified purchase from Finland.
Best vendor I have tried for MOTS-C 10mg. Purity is clearly above average and exercise recovery results prove it over a 8 week run. Verified purchase from Finland.
Impressed by the professionalism. MOTS-C 10mg came with a full COA, proper cold packaging, and metabolic flexibility results are measurable.
Verified purchase — Germany
MOTS-C 10mg exceeded my expectations. Noticed exercise recovery improvements within the first two weeks. Reordering immediately.
Verified purchase — New Zealand
Third order of MOTS-C 10mg and consistent quality every time. exercise recovery is the main reason I keep coming back.
Verified purchase — South Korea
Happy with my MOTS-C 10mg purchase. Shipping was fast and metabolic flexibility protocol is going well. Minor delay on tracking updates but product is great.
Verified purchase — Ireland
Solid product overall. MOTS-C 10mg delivered on mitochondrial efficiency within about 4-5 weeks. Packaging could be slightly better but quality is fine.
Verified purchase — Norway
Very good quality MOTS-C 10mg. insulin sensitivity has been the main focus of my research and results are promising after 8 weeks. Verified purchase from Netherlands.
Very good quality MOTS-C 10mg. insulin sensitivity has been the main focus of my research and results are promising after 8 weeks. Verified purchase from Netherlands.
Average experience with MOTS-C 10mg. exercise recovery showed some improvement but nothing dramatic in my 4 week window so far. Verified purchase from France.
Average experience with MOTS-C 10mg. exercise recovery showed some improvement but nothing dramatic in my 4 week window so far. Verified purchase from France.
Average experience with MOTS-C 10mg. metabolic flexibility showed some improvement but nothing dramatic in my 4 week window so far. Verified purchase from Belgium.
Average experience with MOTS-C 10mg. metabolic flexibility showed some improvement but nothing dramatic in my 4 week window so far. Verified purchase from Belgium.
Solid product overall. MOTS-C 10mg delivered on insulin sensitivity within about 4-5 weeks. Packaging could be slightly more insulated. Verified purchase from Ireland.
Solid product overall. MOTS-C 10mg delivered on insulin sensitivity within about 4-5 weeks. Packaging could be slightly more insulated. Verified purchase from Ireland.
Product quality seems fine but MOTS-C 10mg took longer than expected to show mitochondrial efficiency results. Will continue the protocol. Verified purchase from United Kingdom.
Product quality seems fine but MOTS-C 10mg took longer than expected to show mitochondrial efficiency results. Will continue the protocol. Verified purchase from United Kingdom.
Solid product overall. MOTS-C 10mg delivered on insulin sensitivity within about 4-5 weeks. Packaging could be slightly better but quality is fine.
Verified purchase — Canada
Incredible results with MOTS-C 10mg. After 6 weeks I noticed significant improvement in exercise recovery. Will definitely reorder. Verified purchase from Germany.
Incredible results with MOTS-C 10mg. After 6 weeks I noticed significant improvement in exercise recovery. Will definitely reorder. Verified purchase from Germany.
Product quality seems fine but MOTS-C 10mg took longer than expected to show exercise recovery results. Will continue for another month.
Verified purchase — New Zealand
Happy with my MOTS-C 10mg purchase. Shipping was fast and exercise recovery protocol is going well. Minor delay on tracking updates but product is great.
Verified purchase — Finland
My go-to source for MOTS-C 10mg. The mitochondrial efficiency improvements are consistent across batches which tells me QC is taken seriously. Verified purchase from Czech Republic.
My go-to source for MOTS-C 10mg. The mitochondrial efficiency improvements are consistent across batches which tells me QC is taken seriously. Verified purchase from Czech Republic.