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21+ RUO Research use only — not for human or veterinary use. Not medical advice.

Library · Mitochondrial-derived peptide

MOTS-c

A 16-amino-acid peptide encoded in mitochondrial DNA. It is studied in cell and mouse research on metabolism and in work on exercise biology.

Entry reviewed

This entry summarises published research. It is not guidance on use, and research-grade material is not for human or veterinary use.

What it is

MOTS-c belongs to a small group of peptides encoded in mitochondrial DNA rather than in the cell nucleus. It was first described in 2015, when researchers reported it in cell and mouse experiments on metabolic regulation.

What has been studied

Later work reported that MOTS-c can move to the nucleus under metabolic stress, in cell studies, and that it is induced by exercise. That exercise research combined mouse experiments with measurements of the body’s own MOTS-c in people. None of these papers is a controlled trial of administering the peptide to humans.

Reading supplier listings

Vendors sell MOTS-c in several vial sizes. Because the molecule is relatively large, around 2,175 g/mol, mass-spectrometry identity confirmation on the certificate is especially worth checking.

Regulatory status

Research vendors supply it as a laboratory reagent. None of the sources cited here describes it as an approved medicine, and we have not searched national registers for it. Confirm registration status with the authority in your country (see the country regulations pages).

Known limitations of the evidence

  • Most findings come from cell and mouse experiments.
  • Human data mainly measure the body’s own MOTS-c levels; they are not trials of administered peptide.
  • The field is young, and the first description was published in 2015.

References

  1. Animal study Lee C, et al. The mitochondrial-derived peptide MOTS-c promotes metabolic homeostasis… Cell Metab, 2015 (opens an external site in a new tab) link checked 2 Oct 2026
  2. Cell / in vitro Kim KH, et al. The Mitochondrial-Encoded Peptide MOTS-c Translocates to the Nucleus… Cell Metab, 2018 (opens an external site in a new tab) link checked 2 Oct 2026
  3. Animal study Reynolds JC, et al. MOTS-c is an exercise-induced mitochondrial-encoded regulator… Nat Commun, 2021 (opens an external site in a new tab) link checked 2 Oct 2026
  4. Chemical database MOTS-c — PubChem CID 146675088 (opens an external site in a new tab) link checked 2 Oct 2026