MOTS-c
NewA mitochondria-derived peptide encoded in the 12S rRNA gene, studied as a novel regulator of metabolic flexibility and cellular stress response.
MOTS-c (Mitochondrial Open Reading Frame of the 12S rRNA type-c) is a 16-amino-acid peptide encoded within the mitochondrial genome — a discovery that upended the view of mitochondria as purely energy-producing organelles and established them as endocrine sources of bioactive peptides. Its identification has opened a new research domain exploring mitochondrial-nuclear communication and how mitochondria signal systemic metabolic state.
Mechanistic studies have shown that MOTS-c translocates to the nucleus under metabolic stress, where it interacts with the ARE (antioxidant response element) pathway and modulates gene expression related to glucose uptake, fatty acid oxidation, and the folate-methionine cycle. Researchers have characterised its activation of AMPK signalling and its apparent ability to enhance insulin sensitivity and mitochondrial biogenesis in skeletal muscle cell culture and rodent models.
MOTS-c levels decline with age in human plasma, and studies have explored whether exogenous MOTS-c supplementation in aged animal models can restore metabolic flexibility, physical performance, and lifespan parameters. This has positioned it as an exciting probe for studying the intersection of mitochondrial biology, ageing, and systemic metabolic regulation.
For research purposes only. Not for human consumption.