MOTS-c
A mitochondria-derived peptide that regulates metabolic homeostasis and has been called an 'exercise mimetic.'
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This information is for educational purposes. Peptide therapy should be guided by a licensed healthcare provider. Connect with a Noho clinician
What is MOTS-c?
MOTS-c is a peptide encoded within the mitochondrial genome — making it one of the few known mitochondria-derived peptides (MDPs). Discovered in 2015, it has been shown to regulate metabolic homeostasis, improve insulin sensitivity, and has been called an 'exercise mimetic' because it activates some of the same metabolic pathways as physical exercise. Human observational studies show circulating MOTS-c levels correlate with insulin sensitivity, obesity, and cardiovascular risk.
Why People Talk About It
Metabolic optimization
EmergingExercise mimetic effects
EmergingInsulin sensitivity improvement
EmergingCardiovascular risk reduction
PreliminaryLongevity research
PreliminaryHow It Works
MOTS-c activates AMPK, the same energy-sensing pathway that exercise turns on. This pathway helps cells use glucose more efficiently, improves insulin sensitivity, and activates metabolic processes associated with cellular health and longevity.
Common Questions
Safety Information
Common Side Effects
Cautions
- • Very early-stage research
- • No human clinical trials completed
- • Not FDA-approved
What We Don't Know
Nearly everything about human dosing, safety, and long-term effects is unknown. This is a research compound.
Published Research
40 studiesRepeated Heat Stress Modulates the Levels of the Mitokines MOTS-C and FGF21 in Active Men during Calf Muscle Immobilization
Circulating levels of MOTS-c in patients with breast cancer treated with metformin
Acute endurance exercise stimulates circulating levels of mitochondrial-derived peptides in humans
Effect of aerobic and resistance exercise on the mitochondrial peptide MOTS-c in Hispanic and Non-Hispanic White breast cancer survivors
β-Amyloid and mitochondrial-derived peptide-c are additive predictors of adverse outcome to high-on-treatment platelet reactivity in type 2 diabetics with revascularized coronary artery disease
Impact of Radiation Therapy on Serum Humanin and MOTS-c Levels in Patients with Lung or Breast Cancer
The Mitochondrial-Derived Peptide MOTS-c May Refine Mortality and Cardiovascular Risk Prediction in Chronic Hemodialysis Patients: A Multicenter Cohort Study
MOTS-c in type 2 diabetes mellitus: From risk factors to cardiac complications and potential treatment
Mitochondria-derived peptide MOTS-c: effects and mechanisms related to stress, metabolism and aging
Role of MOTS-c in the regulation of bone metabolism
MOTS-c Functionally Prevents Metabolic Disorders
MOTS-c: A potential anti-pulmonary fibrosis factor derived by mitochondria
Exercise, Mitohormesis, and Mitochondrial ORF of the 12S rRNA Type-C (MOTS-c)
[Effects of exercise intervention on mitochondrial-derived peptide MOTS-c in the germ cells of obese men]
MOTS-c: A Mitochondrial-Encoded Regulator of the Nucleus
MOTS-c: A novel mitochondrial-derived peptide regulating muscle and fat metabolism
MOTS-c: A promising mitochondrial-derived peptide for therapeutic exploitation
Mitochondrial-Encoded Peptide MOTS-c, Diabetes, and Aging-Related Diseases
MOTS-c, the Most Recent Mitochondrial Derived Peptide in Human Aging and Age-Related Diseases
A mitochondrial-derived peptide MOTS-c contributes to the protective effect against brain injury associated with LPS-induced sepsis by strengthening the blood-brain barrier's ultrastructure
MOTS-c attenuates lung ischemia-reperfusion injury via MYH9-Dependent nuclear translocation and transcriptional activation of antioxidant genes
Circulating PGC-1α and MOTS-c Peptide as Potential Mitochondrial Biomarkers in Patients Undergoing Aortic Valve Replacement
Mitochondria-derived peptide MOTS-c and its role in OSA pathogenesis: a potential therapeutic target?
Mitochondrial-encoded peptide MOTS-c prevents pancreatic islet cell senescence to delay diabetes
MOTS-c Impact on Muscle Cell Differentiation and Metabolism Across Fiber Types
MOTS-c attenuates mitochondrial dysfunction induces pyroptosis and cartilage degradation in osteoarthritis via an Nrf2-Dependent Mechanism
MOTS-c Levels and Sarcopenia Risk in Chronic Peritoneal Dialysis Patients: A Pilot Study
MOTS-c-modified functional self-assembly peptide hydrogels enhance the activity of nucleus pulposus-derived mesenchymal stem cells of intervertebral disc degeneration
Mitochondria-derived peptide MOTS-c restores mitochondrial respiration in type 2 diabetic heart
MOTS-C levels ın ındividuals with and without obesity and ıts association with ınflammation, insulin resistance and endothelial dysfunction
The mitochondrial-derived peptide MOTS-c promotes metabolic homeostasis and reduces obesity and insulin resistance
MOTS-c is an exercise-induced mitochondrial-encoded regulator of age-dependent physical decline and muscle homeostasis
The Mitochondrial-Encoded Peptide MOTS-c Translocates to the Nucleus to Regulate Nuclear Gene Expression in Response to Metabolic Stress.
MOTS-c reduces myostatin and muscle atrophy signaling.
MOTS-c interacts synergistically with exercise intervention to regulate PGC-1α expression, attenuate insulin resistance and enhance glucose metabolism in mice via AMPK signaling pathway.
Plasma MOTS-c levels are associated with insulin sensitivity in lean but not in obese individuals.
Circulating MOTS-c levels are decreased in obese male children and adolescents and associated with insulin resistance.
A pro-diabetogenic mtDNA polymorphism in the mitochondrial-derived peptide, MOTS-c.
The mitochondrial signaling peptide MOTS-c improves myocardial performance during exercise training in rats.
Mitochondrial derived peptide MOTS-c prevents the development of heart failure under pressure overload conditions in mice.
Always consult a qualified clinician
This information is for educational purposes. Peptide therapy should be guided by a licensed healthcare provider. Connect with a Noho clinician
Research Insights
Related Peptides
Quick Facts
- Class
- Mitochondrial Peptide
- Evidence
- Emerging
- Safety
- Limited Data
- Updated
- Mar 2026
- Citations
- 40PubMed
Also known as
Tags
Related Goals
Evidence Score
Clinical Trials
View Clinical TrialsLinks to ClinicalTrials.gov for reference. Listing does not imply endorsement.
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