MOTS-C

MOTS-c Peptide

MOTS-c (mitochondrial open-reading-frame of the 12S rRNA-c) peptide is a novel mitochondria-derived peptide. It is a short peptide composed of 16 amino acids, expressed in tissues and plasma, indicating a cell-specific and hormonal role. (1) With the potential to work both as a cell-specific compound and as a hormone, this peptide possibly acts by stimulating the AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) pathway. Only two mitochondrial-derived peptides (MDPs) have been studied, Humanin and MOTS-c. When metabolic stress occurs in the organism, the peptide is believed to translocate to the cellular nuclei and alter the gene expression. MOTS-c peptide may also be released extracellularly and is known as “ mitochondrial hormone ” or simply as “ mitokine. ” (2)(3)

Chemical Makeup (4)

Molecular Formula: C 101 H 152 N 28 O 22 S 2 Molecular Weight: 2174.64 g/mol Other Titles: Mitochondrial-derived peptide MOTS-c, Mitochondrial open reading frame of the 12S rRNA-c

Research and Clinical Studies

Animal research models have indicated multiple potential actions from MOTS-c peptide, including increased physical performance, regulated cellular and tissue metabolism, and myoblast adaptation. (2) Research suggests that these actions may primarily depend on age and age-related changes in MOTS-c expression. The researchers suggest MOTS-c levels and activity might decline, hinting at a role in the cell aging process and the development of age-related metabolic dysfunction. Furthermore, MOTS-c may interact with known aging regulators, such as NAD and sirtuins, suggesting its involvement in pathways potentially modulating the lifespan of the cell. (1) As per Joseph C Reynolds et al., “Mitochondria are chief metabolic organelles with strong implications in cell aging that also coordinate broad physiological functions, in part, using peptides that are encoded within their independent genome.” (4) The peptide endogenous expression has also been posit