MOTS-c
- Half-life
- 4 h
- Steady state
- ~1 d
- Class
- Mitochondrial
- Category
- Peptide
Published population averages. Steady state is the usual five half-life rule of thumb, not a measurement. See peptide half-life, explained.
Overview
MOTS-c (Mitochondrial Open Reading Frame of the 12S rRNA Type-c) is a mitochondrial-derived peptide (MDP) encoded within the 12S rRNA gene. Discovered in 2015 by Pinchas Cohen's lab at USC, it acts as a mitochondrial signal that regulates nuclear gene expression — a form of retrograde signaling from mitochondria to nucleus. It is often called a 'mitochondrial hormone' or 'exercise mimetic.'
How it works
Activates AMPK pathway in skeletal muscle, mimicking exercise-induced metabolic reprogramming. Regulates folate-methionine cycle in the cytoplasm, affecting one-carbon metabolism and purine biosynthesis. Promotes glucose uptake independently of insulin. Translocates to the nucleus during metabolic stress to regulate adaptive gene expression. Circulating levels decline with age.
Half-life and peak
Estimated plasma half-life approximately 4 hours. Subcutaneous injection reaches peak levels in 1–2 hours. Metabolic effects (AMPK activation, glucose uptake) persist beyond plasma clearance. Typical dose: 5–10 mg subcutaneous. Research protocols vary widely.
What it is studied for
Exercise mimetics, insulin sensitivity, obesity, aging-related metabolic decline, AMPK activation, mitochondrial-nuclear crosstalk, healthspan extension.
Research status
Preclinical — strong mouse data for metabolic improvement, insulin sensitization, and exercise performance. First human trial initiated (USC). No regulatory approval. Published in top journals (Cell Metabolism, JACS). Rapidly growing research field.
Sources
Educational reference only. This page describes what is published about a compound; it is not medical advice, not a recommendation to take anything, and not a dosing guide. Several compounds in this catalog are investigational and are not approved medicines. Talk to a doctor.