MOTS-c

MOTS-c is a 16-amino-acid mitochondrial-derived peptide encoded within the 12S rRNA region of mitochondrial DNA. It was discovered in 2015 by Pinchas Cohen's lab at USC and is one of the most-studied members of the mitochondrial-derived peptide family alongside Humanin. It is studied for metabolic health, exercise performance, insulin sensitivity, and longevity, and is sold strictly for laboratory research.

MOTS-c is a tiny peptide your own mitochondria make and release into your bloodstream as a metabolic message. It tells tissues to burn fuel efficiently, improve insulin sensitivity, and adapt to exercise. Levels drop with age. In rodent studies, MOTS-c dramatically extended exercise capacity and improved metabolic markers — earning it nicknames like 'the exercise peptide.'

MOTS-c activates AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), the same master energy sensor activated by exercise and by AICAR. It increases glucose uptake into muscle, improves insulin sensitivity, promotes fatty acid oxidation, and induces mitochondrial biogenesis. MOTS-c also moves into the cell nucleus under stress, where it regulates nuclear gene expression — a remarkable example of cross-organelle communication.

Mitochondrial-derived peptide. Mimics metabolic benefits of exercise, optimizes glucose regulation.

1. MOTS-c
2. Mitochondrial and cellular-maintenance pathways
3. NAD+ availability, mitohormesis or senescent-cell signalling
4. Cellular-ageing and metabolic-resilience endpoints

A plain-English read on how much published evidence currently exists for MOTS-c. These ratings describe the volume and maturity of the literature — not effectiveness, safety, or suitability for any use.

Current limitations: most compounds in this category are studied in preclinical or small-sample settings. Absence of large controlled human trials is the single biggest limitation to keep in mind when reading any summary of MOTS-c.

Lyophilized compounds are supplied as a dry powder. Concentration is simply the total amount in the vial divided by the volume of bacteriostatic water added:

Concentration (mg/mL) = total mg in vial ÷ mL of diluent added

Commonly supplied vial sizes

5mg or 10mg vial

Worked concentration example

10mg + 2mL BAC water → 5mg/mL On U-100 insulin syringe:

• • 20 units = 1mg
• • 100 units = 5mg

Run your own numbers with the reconstitution calculator — it converts vial size and diluent volume into mg/mL and mcg/mL.

The figures below are reported here descriptively, because they are the values most frequently cited in publicly available research literature and reference material. They are not instructions, not a protocol, and not a recommendation. These compounds are supplied for laboratory research use only and are not approved by the FDA for human consumption.

Commonly cited amounts

5–10mg, 2–3× weekly subcutaneous

Commonly cited frequency

2–3× weekly

Commonly cited study duration

4–8 weeks

Peptides are supplied freeze-dried because peptide bonds degrade far faster in solution than in a dry state. Understanding storage is part of understanding why the powder form exists at all.

• •Lyophilized powder: stored refrigerated, typically stable for months to years.
• •Reconstituted solution: refrigerated at 2–8°C, generally discussed as stable for roughly 30–60 days.
• •Heat and direct light accelerate degradation — vials are kept cool and dark.
• •Reconstituted material is not re-frozen; ice crystal formation disrupts peptide structure.
• •Bacteriostatic water contains 0.9% benzyl alcohol as a preservative, which is what allows multi-day storage after reconstitution.

More detail in the storage & handling guide and how peptide quality is evaluated.

• •Type 2 diabetes and insulin sensitivity
• •Exercise capacity and endurance
• •Mitochondrial biogenesis
• •Longevity and centenarian studies
• •Cardiometabolic disease prevention
• •Mitochondrial unfolded protein response

MOTS-c is one of the most-discussed peptides in longevity and metabolic-health forums, often paired with NAD+, Humanin, SS-31, and 5-Amino-1MQ in mitochondrial stacks. Threads focus on its 'exercise mimetic' character, comparisons to AICAR, and reports of improved energy and insulin sensitivity.

“Cellular exercise in a vial.”

Most commonly combined with Humanin, SS-31, NAD+, and 5-Amino-1MQ in mitochondrial-focused stacks. Sometimes paired with AICAR for additive AMPK activation.

MOTS-c is a 16-amino-acid mitochondrial-derived peptide that activates AMPK and supports insulin sensitivity, exercise capacity, and metabolic health. It is one of the most-studied mitochondrial peptides in longevity research.