SS-31 10mg

Overview

SS-31, also known as elamipretide or MTP-131, is a synthetic aromatic-cationic tetrapeptide from the Szeto-Schiller series. Unlike most peptides it accumulates selectively in the inner mitochondrial membrane, where it binds the phospholipid cardiolipin. It is one of the most cited tool compounds in mitochondrial bioenergetics research.

Acu Aminos supplies SS-31 as a 10 mg lyophilized powder for laboratory research.

Chemistry & specifications

SS-31 alternates cationic and aromatic residues (D-Arg, 2′,6′-dimethyltyrosine, Lys, Phe) and is C-terminally amidated. The D-arginine and the non-natural dimethyltyrosine confer resistance to aminopeptidases, and the +3 net charge with alternating aromatic rings is what drives cell penetration and mitochondrial accumulation independent of membrane potential.

Cellular structure & mechanism of action

Cardiolipin is a dimeric phospholipid concentrated in the inner mitochondrial membrane that anchors cytochrome c and organizes the respiratory supercomplexes. SS-31 binds cardiolipin electrostatically and through its aromatic rings, and in isolated-mitochondria and cell models this interaction has been reported to stabilize cristae structure, improve electron flow through the respiratory chain, reduce electron leak and reactive-oxygen-species generation, and limit cytochrome c peroxidase activity. These properties make it a standard positive control in studies of mitochondrial dysfunction, ischemia-reperfusion and oxidative stress in vitro and in animal models.

Research applications

• Isolated-mitochondria respiration (Seahorse, Oroboros) and ROS assays
• Cardiolipin-binding and cristae-morphology studies
• Ischemia-reperfusion and oxidative-stress cell models
• Mitochondrial-targeted peptide structure-activity research

Selected references

1. Szeto HH. First-in-class cardiolipin-protective compound as a therapeutic agent to restore mitochondrial bioenergetics. Br J Pharmacol. 2014;171(8):2029–2050.
2. Birk AV, Liu S, Soong Y, et al. The mitochondrial-targeted compound SS-31 re-energizes ischemic mitochondria by interacting with cardiolipin. J Am Soc Nephrol. 2013;24(8):1250–1261.
3. Zhao K, Zhao GM, Wu D, et al. Cell-permeable peptide antioxidants targeted to inner mitochondrial membrane inhibit mitochondrial swelling, oxidative cell death, and reperfusion injury. J Biol Chem. 2004;279(33):34682–34690.

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.