Educational, research-use-only content. This article summarizes published scientific literature for informational purposes only and is not medical advice. The compounds discussed are supplied strictly for in-vitro laboratory research and are not approved for human or veterinary use.
What is MOTS-c?
MOTS-c is a 16-amino-acid peptide encoded within the 12S rRNA region of the mitochondrial genome. Research describes it translocating to the cell nucleus under metabolic stress to help regulate gene expression, with circulating levels reported to decline with age (Zheng et al., 2023).
Metabolism research
A landmark study reported that MOTS-c primarily targets skeletal muscle, where it activated the AMPK energy-sensing pathway; in mice, treatment prevented age-dependent and high-fat-diet-induced insulin resistance as well as diet-induced obesity (Lee et al., 2015). A later review summarizes its study in glucose metabolism, aging, and cardiovascular contexts (Zheng et al., 2023).
The limits of the current evidence
- The metabolic findings are from cell and mouse models; effects in humans are not established here.
- MOTS-c is not approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
References
According to PubMed:
- Lee C, et al. The mitochondrial-derived peptide MOTS-c promotes metabolic homeostasis and reduces obesity and insulin resistance. Cell Metab. 2015. doi:10.1016/j.cmet.2015.02.009
- Zheng Y, Wei Z, Wang T. MOTS-c: A promising mitochondrial-derived peptide for therapeutic exploitation. Front Endocrinol. 2023. doi:10.3389/fendo.2023.1120533
