MOTS-c (Mitochondrial Open Reading Frame Peptide)
A 16-amino-acid peptide encoded in the 12S rRNA region of mitochondrial DNA, CAS 1627580-64-6. Unusual among signalling peptides in that its gene sits outside the nuclear genome.
Pricing and pack sizes
| Size | Cat. no. | Pack | Price per kit | Per vial |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 mg | MS10 | 10 vials | $60.00 | $6.00 |
| 15 mg | MS15 | 10 vials | $110.00 | $11.00 |
| 20 mg | MS20 | 10 vials | $160.00 | $16.00 |
| 40 mg | MS40 | 10 vials | $220.00 | $22.00 |
Prices are in USD and are per kit of 10 vials — not per vial. Both figures are shown so the two can be compared directly; a "per vial" price quoted without saying so is how the same material ends up looking ten times cheaper than it is.
Larger quantities, mixed kits and custom synthesis are quoted on request. Current lot documentation accompanies every quotation.
Monograph
| Compound | MOTS-c (mitochondrial open reading frame of the 12S rRNA type-c) |
|---|---|
| CAS Registry Number | 1627580-64-6 |
| Molecular Formula | C101H152N28O22S2 |
| Monoisotopic Mass | 2174.6 Da |
| Sequence | Met-Arg-Trp-Gln-Glu-Met-Gly-Tyr-Ile-Phe-Tyr-Pro-Arg-Lys-Leu-Arg |
| Residue Count | 16, linear, no disulfide bonds |
| Purity | ≥ 99.0% (RP-HPLC, UV 220 nm) |
| Identity Confirmation | ESI-MS, theoretical mass match |
| Appearance | White to off-white lyophilized cake or powder |
| Solubility | Soluble in water and aqueous buffers |
| Storage (lyophilized) | −20 °C, desiccated, protected from light |
| Documentation | Lot-specific COA with HPLC chromatogram and MS spectrum |
What MOTS-c is
Almost every peptide hormone studied in a cell-culture lab is encoded in the nuclear genome. MOTS-c is not. Its sequence sits within the 12S ribosomal RNA region of mitochondrial DNA — a reading frame that was overlooked for decades because mitochondrial DNA was assumed to encode only 13 proteins, all of them subunits of the oxidative phosphorylation machinery.
The peptide is 16 residues long, linear, and carries two methionines and two aromatic pairs (Trp, Tyr, Phe, Tyr) in its central region. That aromatic cluster is what makes the compound easy to monitor at 220 nm and also what makes it susceptible to oxidation if solutions are left standing — a practical detail that matters when the material is used as an analytical standard rather than as a treatment.
MOTS-c is unmodified at both termini: no acetylation, no amidation, no cyclisation. A single dominant HPLC peak and a mass match at 2174.6 Da are therefore sufficient to establish identity, without the terminal-modification checks that a peptide like TB-500 requires.
Research context
The following summarises mechanisms reported in preclinical and in-vitro literature. It is provided for scientific orientation only and does not describe any approved or established clinical application.
AMPK activation
The most consistently reported in-vitro observation is phosphorylation of AMP-activated protein kinase in cultured myotubes and other cell lines exposed to the peptide. AMPK is a central energy-sensing kinase, which is why the compound is usually discussed in the context of cellular energy balance rather than of any specific tissue.
Folate–methionine cycle
Several studies report that MOTS-c interferes with the folate cycle by inhibiting 5-methyltetrahydrofolate-dependent one-carbon metabolism, which in turn raises intracellular AICAR levels. This is a mechanistic proposal, supported by metabolite profiling in cell culture, not an established pathway.
Nuclear translocation under stress
A distinct line of work reports that the peptide accumulates in the nucleus under metabolic stress and interacts with chromatin-associated factors, suggesting a retrograde mitochondria-to-nucleus signalling role. This is among the more speculative parts of the literature and rests largely on imaging in cell systems.
Note on evidence status
MOTS-c research is dominated by rodent models and cell culture. Human data are largely observational — associations between circulating peptide levels and metabolic measures, plus a mitochondrial variant (m.1382A>C) studied in East Asian populations. There are no completed Phase III trials and the peptide is not an approved medicine anywhere.
Analytical verification
- Purity — RP-HPLC. C18 column, gradient acetonitrile/water with 0.1% TFA, UV at 220 nm. Main-peak area percentage, acceptance ≥ 99.0%.
- Identity — ESI-MS. Deconvoluted mass compared against theoretical 2174.6 Da. Because the peptide carries no terminal modification, a single mass match is sufficient; there is no acetyl or amide variant to distinguish.
- Oxidation check. The two methionine residues can oxidise to the sulfoxide (+16 Da each). The chromatogram is inspected for the +16 and +32 Da satellite peaks, which are reported on the COA rather than silently excluded.
Look up your lot in the COA registry to view the chromatogram and mass spectrum for the specific batch you receive.
Preparing a standard solution
For preparing calibration standards for instrumental analysis. Not a preparation guide for any biological or human application.
- Equilibrate the sealed vial to room temperature before opening.
- Dissolve in sterile deionised water or an appropriate aqueous buffer, directing the stream down the vial wall. Typical HPLC calibration concentrations are 0.1–1.0 mg/mL.
- Swirl, do not vortex. Shear degrades injection reproducibility.
- Mind the methionines. Prepare fresh and keep solutions protected from light; oxidised satellites appear within days at room temperature.
- Avoid repeated freeze–thaw. Aliquot once and store at −20 °C or below.
Frequently asked questions
What does MOTS-c stand for?
Mitochondrial Open Reading Frame of the 12S rRNA type-c. The name describes where the sequence is encoded, not what the peptide does.
What is the sequence and mass of MOTS-c?
Met-Arg-Trp-Gln-Glu-Met-Gly-Tyr-Ile-Phe-Tyr-Pro-Arg-Lys-Leu-Arg, 16 residues, monoisotopic mass 2174.6 Da, molecular formula C101H152N28O22S2.
Is MOTS-c modified at either terminus?
No. Unlike TB-500, MOTS-c is unmodified at both ends, so identity can be confirmed by a single mass match at 2174.6 Da without checking for an acetyl or amide variant.
Why do COAs report oxidation satellites?
MOTS-c contains two methionine residues, which oxidise to the sulfoxide (+16 Da each) in solution. Reporting the +16 and +32 Da peaks rather than excluding them is the difference between a chromatogram and a marketing number.
What purity do you guarantee?
≥ 99.0% by RP-HPLC per released lot. The measured value for your lot appears on its certificate of analysis.
Can I see the COA before ordering?
Yes — the batch registry lists lot number, assay date, testing laboratory, method and measured purity, with chromatogram and mass confirmation.
How should the lyophilized powder be stored?
−20 °C, desiccated, protected from light — stable for 24 months from the assay date. Ambient storage is acceptable during transit only.
Is MOTS-c approved for human use?
No. It is not approved as a medicine, food, cosmetic or veterinary product in any jurisdiction, and is supplied strictly as a reference standard for in-vitro laboratory research.
Research use only
This product is a chemical reference standard intended exclusively for in-vitro laboratory research and analytical method development. It is not a pharmaceutical, drug, food, food additive, cosmetic, or veterinary product. It has not been evaluated or approved by the FDA, EMA, MHRA, TGA, or any other regulatory authority for any human or animal application, and it must not be administered to humans or animals.