Mots-C Mitochondrial Open Reading Frame Peptide

Mots-C is a small peptide (16 amino acids long) with an unusual origin: its instructions are encoded in the DNA found inside mitochondria (the parts of a cell that produce energy), not in the cell's main DNA. Under metabolic stress, studies have investigated how it travels to the cell's nucleus and activates AMPK - an enzyme that acts like a fuel gauge for the cell, sensing how much energy is available and adjusting the cell's behaviour.

Mots-C is a 16-amino-acid peptide encoded within the mitochondrial genome — specifically within the 12S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene — making it one of the very few biologically active peptides known to be encoded by mitochondrial rather than nuclear DNA. It was first identified in 2015 by researchers examining small open reading frames (sORFs) within the mitochondrial genome. As a mitochondrial-derived peptide (MDP), Mots-C occupies a distinct research category: it is an endogenous signalling molecule that appears to communicate mitochondrial metabolic status to other cellular compartments — a form of retrograde (mitochondria-to-nucleus) signalling.

Preclinical research on Mots-C has primarily focused on metabolic regulation. Cell culture studies have reported that Mots-C activates AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), a master sensor of cellular energy status that is activated when the AMP:ATP ratio rises. Downstream of AMPK activation, researchers have examined effects on glucose uptake, fatty acid oxidation, and insulin signalling in skeletal muscle cell lines. Rodent studies have investigated Mots-C administration in diet-induced metabolic dysfunction models, examining changes in lean mass and adipose tissue distribution parameters, glucose tolerance, and insulin sensitivity markers. Research has also examined its effects on the folate cycle and AICAR metabolism, suggesting involvement in purine biosynthesis regulation.

Beyond metabolic biology, Mots-C has attracted research interest in the context of ageing and cellular stress responses. Plasma Mots-C concentrations have been reported to change with age and metabolic status in human samples, prompting investigation of its role as a research marker. Its unique mitochondrial origin and systemic signalling properties make it a subject of growing interest in longevity biology, mitochondrial communication research, and exercise physiology studies. Velox Peptides supplies Mots-C at ≥99% HPLC-verified purity as a lyophilised research reagent. Not for human or veterinary consumption.

Summary paraphrased from the peer-reviewed preclinical literature. For in vitro research use only. For source citations, email support@veloxpeps.com.

Every batch of Mots-C is third-party HPLC-tested prior to dispatch. Batch documentation is available on request.

Previous batch CoAs are archived in the CoA library. For batch-specific CoA requests prior to purchase, contact support@veloxpeps.com.

MOTS-c comes as a 10mg lyophilised vial from £26, a larger 40mg vial, or a lab pack of 10 × 10mg vials at a lower price per vial. Pick a size at the top of this page to see its current price. Reconstitution uses bacteriostatic water, sold separately, and the reconstitution calculator works out the volumes. For background, read the MOTS-c research overview.

MOTS-c is sold by Velox Peptides (CRP Labs Ltd, UK company no. NI738125) and dispatched from the UK. Choose a vial size, pay on one page, and your order is dispatched the next working day.

• Delivery: Royal Mail Tracked 24 (1–2 working days, £5.99, free over £100) or Tracked 48 (2–3 working days, £3.80). See shipping.
• Payment: Pay by Bank through FCA-authorised open banking, or bank transfer. No card details needed.
• Testing: See the batch testing details above and past reports in the CoA library.
• Research use only: Supplied as a research reagent for in vitro use. Not for human or veterinary consumption. See our Research Use Policy.