MOTS-c Testing
MW: 2174.56 g/molHalf-life: Short systemically; tissue accumulation extends effect.
Mitochondrial-derived peptide encoded in the 12S rRNA gene; AMPK activator.
Mechanism of action
Mitochondrial-derived peptide (MDP) encoded within the 12S rRNA gene of mtDNA. Activates AMPK, improves glucose homeostasis, and is associated with metabolic resilience. Plasma MOTS-c declines with age.
Sequence & structure
MRWQEMGYIFYPRKLR (16 residues, mitochondrial-derived)
Hydrophobic, aggregation-prone. Storage matters significantly — DMSO co-solvents are common in research formulations.
Research areas
- ●Metabolic disease (type 2 diabetes, obesity)
- ●Exercise physiology
- ●Mitochondrial dysfunction
- ●Aging biology
What we test on MOTS-c
RP-HPLC, intact-mass LC-MS, SEC, endotoxin.
Standard Mitochondrial / Longevity Panel
- ✓RP-HPLC purity
- ✓LC-MS identity
- ✓Stability indicating method (NAD+)
Common impurities & failure modes
- Met1 oxidation
+16 Da shift; activity loss.
- Aggregates
Hydrophobic peptide; SEC required.
- Truncation at the C-terminal RKLR stretch
Standard arginine coupling difficulties.
Related Mitochondrial / Longevity peptides
5-Amino-1MQ
173.21 g/mol
Small-molecule NNMT inhibitor studied for obesity and longevity.
AICAR
338.21 g/mol
AMPK activator mimicking exercise; metabolic research.
BAM15
400.31 g/mol
Mitochondrial protonophore uncoupler; safer profile than DNP.
FOXO4-DRI
~5500 g/mol
D-retro-inverso peptide that disrupts FOXO4–p53 in senescent cells; senolytic.
Humanin
2687.27 g/mol
24-residue mitochondrial-derived peptide; cytoprotective.
NAD+ (Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide)
663.43 g/mol
Central redox cofactor for cellular metabolism, DNA repair, and sirtuin activity.