Educational only. A summary of published research, not medical advice or a recommendation. No doses are listed.
Quick take
A 16-amino-acid peptide encoded in mitochondrial DNA, first described in 2015.
- Class
- Other research peptides
- Status
- Not approved
- Evidence
- Mostly animal & lab studies
- Half-life
- Not well documented
Mechanism fingerprint
What it acts on, and how. Each chip links to that pathway on the map.
- AMPK (studied)
- Insulin (studied)
- Skeletal muscle (its main target organ in mice)
Studied in mice for effects on insulin sensitivity, metabolism and exercise capacity.
What makes it different
Encoded in mitochondrial DNA rather than the cell nucleus; studied mostly in mice for insulin sensitivity.
Compare side by side
Mechanism & pathways
-
Studied link
AMPK
activated through folate metabolism in cell and mouse studies
An energy sensor inside cells. It switches on when a cell's energy runs low and shifts metabolism toward producing energy.
-
Studied link
Insulin receptor & insulin signaling
insulin sensitivity in mice
Insulin, released by the pancreas, acts on the insulin receptor to move sugar out of the blood and into cells. Compounds can act upstream (more insulin released when blood sugar is high) or on how sensitive cells are to insulin.
- NoteSkeletal muscle (its main target organ in mice)
Evidence overview
Mostly animal & lab studies
Mostly animal and cell studies. Human data are limited to measurements of natural levels.
A breakdown into human, animal and cell studies hasn't been added for this compound yet.
Why it's used
Used in the hope of better metabolism, insulin sensitivity and exercise capacity, based on mouse studies.
Side effects & risks
Reported side effects
- Not well characterized in humans
Risks and warnings
- Long-term safety unknown
- Products sold as “research use only” are not quality-controlled medicines; purity, sterility and labeled amount are not verified.
FAQ
Short answers taken from this profile.
What is MOTS-c?
A 16-amino-acid peptide encoded in mitochondrial DNA, first described in 2015.
How does MOTS-c work?
Studied in mice for effects on insulin sensitivity, metabolism and exercise capacity.
What receptors or pathways does MOTS-c act on?
AMPK (studied link; activated through folate metabolism in cell and mouse studies) and insulin receptor & insulin signaling (studied link; insulin sensitivity in mice). Links marked “studied” or “proposed” come from early research and aren't confirmed in people.
How is MOTS-c different from similar compounds?
Encoded in mitochondrial DNA rather than the cell nucleus; studied mostly in mice for insulin sensitivity.
Is MOTS-c approved?
Not approved for human use.
What has MOTS-c been studied for?
Used in the hope of better metabolism, insulin sensitivity and exercise capacity, based on mouse studies.
How strong is the evidence?
Mostly animal & lab studies. Mostly animal and cell studies. Human data are limited to measurements of natural levels.
What are the main risks?
Long-term safety unknown. Products sold as “research use only” are not quality-controlled medicines; purity, sterility and labeled amount are not verified.
Sources
- Lee C et al. The mitochondrial-derived peptide MOTS-c promotes metabolic homeostasis and reduces obesity and insulin resistance. Cell Metab 2015.