MOTS-c
Mitochondrial-derived peptide
Mitochondrial-derived peptide that regulates metabolic homeostasis and AMPK signaling.
Key takeaways
- Mitochondrial-encoded peptide from the 12S rRNA gene; activates AMPK signaling.
- Mouse data shows protection against obesity and insulin resistance.
- Human data is observational only; nobody has run an administration trial.
- Plotter half-life (~12 hours) is an estimate, and community doses come from animal extrapolation.
Reported dosing protocols
Protocols reported in research literature and clinic/community use — informational context, not a dosing recommendation.
| Use case | Dose | Route | Frequency | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Metabolic / exercise-mimetic (community) | 2.5–10 mg | SubQ | 2–3× weekly | 4–8 weeks |
Pharmacokinetic summary
- Model tier
- Simple (t½ + F, Tmax estimated)
- Half-life
- 12 hours
- Bioavailability
- 50%
- Typical dose
- 2.5–10 mg
Frequently asked questions
Is MOTS-c an exercise mimetic?
That's the hypothesis. Human studies show circulating MOTS-c rises after exercise and declines with age, and mouse work shows metabolic benefits from administration. But correlation in humans isn't proof that injecting it reproduces exercise benefits.
Has MOTS-c been tested in humans as a drug?
Not directly. Human studies measured natural MOTS-c levels; no trial has administered the peptide itself. A related analog, CB4211, reached phase 1 testing for fatty liver disease, which is the closest thing to human dosing data.
How is MOTS-c different from SS-31?
MOTS-c is a natural signaling peptide encoded in mitochondrial DNA that works through AMPK and gene regulation. SS-31 is a synthetic peptide that binds cardiolipin and stabilizes the mitochondrial membrane directly.
References
- Estimated (preclinical) — Mitochondrial-derived peptide; AMPK activation, human PK limited.
- Lee et al., Cell Metab 2015 — MOTS-c promotes metabolic homeostasis — Discovery paper; MOTS-c prevented diet-induced obesity and insulin resistance in mice.
- Reynolds et al., Nat Commun 2021 — MOTS-c as an exercise-induced regulator — Human data on MOTS-c response to exercise and age-related decline, plus mouse treatment studies.
Related compounds
SS-31 (Elamipretide)
Mitochondria-targeted peptide that stabilizes cardiolipin; researched for metabolic and renal disease.
Semaglutide Injection (Ozempic/Wegovy)
Long-acting GLP-1 receptor agonist for type 2 diabetes and weight loss; weekly injection.
Semaglutide Oral (Rybelsus)
Oral semaglutide with very low bioavailability; taken fasting.
Protocols featuring MOTS-c
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