MOTS-c 10mg

Overview

MOTS-c is a 16-amino-acid peptide encoded by a short open reading frame within the mitochondrial 12S ribosomal RNA gene, first described in 2015. It belongs to the family of mitochondrial-derived peptides (with humanin and the SHLPs) and is notable for translocating to the nucleus under metabolic stress, where it has been reported to regulate nuclear gene expression.

Acu Aminos supplies synthetic MOTS-c as a 10 mg lyophilized powder for laboratory research.

Chemistry & specifications

MOTS-c is a linear, unmodified 16-residue peptide (MRWQEMGYIFYPRKLR) with a net positive charge and two methionine residues that are susceptible to oxidation. It has no disulfide bonds and is readily water soluble.

Cellular structure & mechanism of action

In cell and animal models, MOTS-c has been reported to inhibit the folate cycle and de novo purine synthesis, leading to accumulation of AICAR and activation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), a master regulator of cellular energy balance. Under glucose restriction or oxidative stress, MOTS-c translocates to the nucleus and associates with stress-responsive transcription factors including NRF2, altering the expression of antioxidant and metabolic genes. Its levels have been reported to change with exercise and age in the literature, making it a frequently used probe in mitochondrial-nuclear communication research.

Research applications

• AMPK activation and folate/one-carbon metabolism assays
• Mitochondrial-nuclear retrograde signaling studies
• Skeletal-muscle and adipocyte metabolic cell models
• Mitochondrial-derived peptide comparative research (humanin, SHLPs)

Selected references

1. Lee C, Zeng J, Drew BG, et al. The mitochondrial-derived peptide MOTS-c promotes metabolic homeostasis and reduces obesity and insulin resistance. Cell Metab. 2015;21(3):443–454.
2. Kim KH, Son JM, Benayoun BA, Lee C. The mitochondrial-encoded peptide MOTS-c translocates to the nucleus to regulate nuclear gene expression in response to metabolic stress. Cell Metab. 2018;28(3):516–524.
3. Reynolds JC, Lai RW, Woodhead JST, et al. MOTS-c is an exercise-induced mitochondrial-encoded regulator of age-dependent physical decline and muscle homeostasis. Nat Commun. 2021;12:470.

References are provided to help researchers locate primary literature. Acu Aminos makes no claims about the safety or efficacy of any compound in humans or animals.