Last updated 2 October 2026 · SARMs Store editorial team. Products on this site are supplied strictly for laboratory research and are not for human consumption. This guide summarises published research; it is not medical advice and contains no instructions for use. 18+ only.
MOTS-c at a glance
| Class | Mitochondrial-derived peptide, 16 amino acids (MRWQEMGYIFYPRKLR) |
|---|---|
| Discovered by | Lee and colleagues, University of Southern California, 2015 |
| Highest evidence | Cell and rodent studies; human observational studies of natural levels |
| Studied for | Mitochondrial to nuclear signalling, AMPK, glucose handling, ageing and physical capacity in mice |
| CAS number | 1627580-64-6 |
| Format | Lyophilised powder in a sealed vial |
| UK status 2026 | Research chemical; not licensed anywhere; WADA S0 non-approved substance |
What MOTS-c is
Almost all of the proteins in a cell are encoded by DNA in the nucleus. Mitochondria keep a small genome of their own, and in the last two decades researchers have found short sequences within it that produce signalling peptides. MOTS-c, encoded within the 12S rRNA gene, is the best studied of these mitochondrial-derived peptides, alongside humanin. It matters to researchers because it suggests mitochondria do not only respond to signals from the rest of the cell but also send their own.
What the research found
Discovery. Lee and colleagues reported in Cell Metabolism in 2015 that MOTS-c acted on the folate cycle and de novo purine synthesis, leading to activation of AMPK, and that in mice on a high fat diet it was associated with better insulin sensitivity and less weight gain. Skeletal muscle appeared to be its main target tissue.
Nuclear signalling. Kim and colleagues reported in Cell Metabolism in 2018 that under metabolic stress MOTS-c moves into the nucleus and influences the expression of genes involved in the antioxidant response, an unusual route for a mitochondrially encoded peptide.
Exercise and ageing. Reynolds and colleagues reported in Nature Communications in 2021 that MOTS-c levels in human blood and skeletal muscle rose with exercise, and that treating old mice was associated with improved physical capacity. Other groups have reported that circulating levels differ with age and metabolic state, though the findings are not always consistent.
Clinical development. CohBar developed an analogue, CB4211, which entered early phase clinical testing in people with fatty liver disease and obesity. It has not progressed to approval and no data on MOTS-c itself given to humans have been published in a controlled trial.
What is missing. Controlled human trials of MOTS-c, pharmacokinetic data in humans, and independent replication of several of the rodent findings.
Stability, storage and handling
Lyophilised MOTS-c is stable in transit. Sealed vials should be refrigerated at 2 to 8C, protected from light, or kept at -20C for longer storage. The peptide contains two methionine residues, which are prone to oxidation, so vials should stay sealed until use. The certificate should show HPLC purity and a mass spectrometry identity consistent with a molecular weight of about 2,175 g/mol.
Legal status in the UK, 2026
Not a controlled substance under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971. MOTS-c is not a licensed medicine anywhere, so it cannot be sold or advertised for human use in the UK and is supplied strictly for laboratory research. As a pharmacological substance without approval for human therapeutic use it falls under section S0 of the WADA Prohibited List, prohibited at all times.
What to check before buying
Milligram content per vial, HPLC purity, mass spectrometry identity and a batch number that matches the certificate. Every Origin Peptides batch is independently tested and its certificate of analysis is published on the product page and the Lab Testing page.
Frequently asked questions
What does MOTS-c stand for?
Mitochondrial open reading frame of the 12S rRNA type-c. The name describes where in the mitochondrial genome the peptide is encoded.
Is MOTS-c a licensed medicine?
No. It has no licence anywhere. An analogue, CB4211, entered early clinical testing but has not been approved.
How is MOTS-c different from SS-31?
MOTS-c is produced by the mitochondria and signals outwards to the cell and nucleus. SS-31 (elamipretide) is a synthetic peptide that travels into the mitochondria and binds cardiolipin in the inner membrane.
Has MOTS-c been tested in humans?
Human studies so far mostly measure natural MOTS-c levels in blood and muscle. There are no published controlled trials of giving MOTS-c itself to people.
Is MOTS-c legal in the UK?
Legal to buy and possess as a research compound; not lawful to sell or advertise for human use. As a non-approved substance it falls under WADA section S0, prohibited at all times in sport.
Key references
Lee C, Zeng J, Drew BG, et al. The mitochondrial-derived peptide MOTS-c promotes metabolic homeostasis and reduces obesity and insulin resistance. Cell Metabolism. 2015;21(3):443-454. Kim KH, Son JM, Benayoun BA, Lee C. The mitochondrial-encoded peptide MOTS-c translocates to the nucleus to regulate nuclear gene expression in response to metabolic stress. Cell Metabolism. 2018;28(3):516-524. Reynolds JC, Lai RW, Woodhead JST, et al. MOTS-c is an exercise-induced mitochondrial-encoded regulator of age-dependent physical decline and muscle homeostasis. Nature Communications. 2021;12:470.
Related guides
- SS-31 (elamipretide) research guide
- NAD+ research guide
- 5-Amino-1MQ research guide
- How to read a certificate of analysis
Research products: Origin Peptides MOTS-c 10mg · Full Origin Peptides range · Lab Testing