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MOTS-c

A mitochondria-derived peptide that regulates metabolic homeostasis and has been called an 'exercise mimetic.'

EmergingLimited Data

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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

Emerging

Exercise mimetic effects

Emerging

Insulin sensitivity improvement

Emerging

Cardiovascular risk reduction

Preliminary

Longevity research

Preliminary

How 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

Important Safety Notes

Common Side Effects

Unknown — very limited human use data

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 studies

Repeated Heat Stress Modulates the Levels of the Mitokines MOTS-C and FGF21 in Active Men during Calf Muscle Immobilization

Randomized Controlled TrialPMID: 40674654

Circulating levels of MOTS-c in patients with breast cancer treated with metformin

Randomized Controlled TrialPMID: 36490309

Acute endurance exercise stimulates circulating levels of mitochondrial-derived peptides in humans

Randomized Controlled TrialPMID: 34351816

Effect of aerobic and resistance exercise on the mitochondrial peptide MOTS-c in Hispanic and Non-Hispanic White breast cancer survivors

Randomized Controlled TrialPMID: 34413391

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

Clinical TrialPMID: 32052315

Impact of Radiation Therapy on Serum Humanin and MOTS-c Levels in Patients with Lung or Breast Cancer

Observational StudyPMID: 38314601

The Mitochondrial-Derived Peptide MOTS-c May Refine Mortality and Cardiovascular Risk Prediction in Chronic Hemodialysis Patients: A Multicenter Cohort Study

Observational StudyPMID: 39111290

MOTS-c in type 2 diabetes mellitus: From risk factors to cardiac complications and potential treatment

ReviewPMID: 41083123

Mitochondria-derived peptide MOTS-c: effects and mechanisms related to stress, metabolism and aging

ReviewPMID: 36670507

Role of MOTS-c in the regulation of bone metabolism

ReviewPMID: 37200834

MOTS-c Functionally Prevents Metabolic Disorders

ReviewPMID: 36677050

MOTS-c: A potential anti-pulmonary fibrosis factor derived by mitochondria

ReviewPMID: 37307934

Exercise, Mitohormesis, and Mitochondrial ORF of the 12S rRNA Type-C (MOTS-c)

ReviewPMID: 35656563

[Effects of exercise intervention on mitochondrial-derived peptide MOTS-c in the germ cells of obese men]

ReviewPMID: 34914298

MOTS-c: A Mitochondrial-Encoded Regulator of the Nucleus

ReviewPMID: 31378979

MOTS-c: A novel mitochondrial-derived peptide regulating muscle and fat metabolism

ReviewPMID: 27216708

MOTS-c: A promising mitochondrial-derived peptide for therapeutic exploitation

ReviewPMID: 36761202

Mitochondrial-Encoded Peptide MOTS-c, Diabetes, and Aging-Related Diseases

ReviewPMID: 36824008

MOTS-c, the Most Recent Mitochondrial Derived Peptide in Human Aging and Age-Related Diseases

ReviewPMID: 36233287

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

PreclinicalPMID: 40753494

MOTS-c attenuates lung ischemia-reperfusion injury via MYH9-Dependent nuclear translocation and transcriptional activation of antioxidant genes

PreclinicalPMID: 40403491

Circulating PGC-1α and MOTS-c Peptide as Potential Mitochondrial Biomarkers in Patients Undergoing Aortic Valve Replacement

PreclinicalPMID: 40104672

Mitochondria-derived peptide MOTS-c and its role in OSA pathogenesis: a potential therapeutic target?

PreclinicalPMID: 40538382

Mitochondrial-encoded peptide MOTS-c prevents pancreatic islet cell senescence to delay diabetes

PreclinicalPMID: 40855115

MOTS-c Impact on Muscle Cell Differentiation and Metabolism Across Fiber Types

PreclinicalPMID: 39876762

MOTS-c attenuates mitochondrial dysfunction induces pyroptosis and cartilage degradation in osteoarthritis via an Nrf2-Dependent Mechanism

PreclinicalPMID: 41043625

MOTS-c Levels and Sarcopenia Risk in Chronic Peritoneal Dialysis Patients: A Pilot Study

PreclinicalPMID: 40005438

MOTS-c-modified functional self-assembly peptide hydrogels enhance the activity of nucleus pulposus-derived mesenchymal stem cells of intervertebral disc degeneration

PreclinicalPMID: 40510834

Mitochondria-derived peptide MOTS-c restores mitochondrial respiration in type 2 diabetic heart

PreclinicalPMID: 40661667

MOTS-C levels ın ındividuals with and without obesity and ıts association with ınflammation, insulin resistance and endothelial dysfunction

PreclinicalPMID: 41004666

The mitochondrial-derived peptide MOTS-c promotes metabolic homeostasis and reduces obesity and insulin resistance

PreclinicalPMID: 25738459

MOTS-c is an exercise-induced mitochondrial-encoded regulator of age-dependent physical decline and muscle homeostasis

PreclinicalPMID: 33473109

The Mitochondrial-Encoded Peptide MOTS-c Translocates to the Nucleus to Regulate Nuclear Gene Expression in Response to Metabolic Stress.

PreclinicalPMID: 29983246

MOTS-c reduces myostatin and muscle atrophy signaling.

PreclinicalPMID: 33554779

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.

PreclinicalPMID: 33722744

Plasma MOTS-c levels are associated with insulin sensitivity in lean but not in obese individuals.

Observational StudyPMID: 29593067

Circulating MOTS-c levels are decreased in obese male children and adolescents and associated with insulin resistance.

Observational StudyPMID: 29691953

A pro-diabetogenic mtDNA polymorphism in the mitochondrial-derived peptide, MOTS-c.

Observational StudyPMID: 33468709

The mitochondrial signaling peptide MOTS-c improves myocardial performance during exercise training in rats.

PreclinicalPMID: 34635713

Mitochondrial derived peptide MOTS-c prevents the development of heart failure under pressure overload conditions in mice.

PreclinicalPMID: 36156853

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

Mitochondrial ORF of the Twelve S rRNA Type-C

Tags

MetabolicExerciseLongevityMitochondrial

Evidence Score

Overall Confidence40%

Clinical Trials

View Clinical Trials

Links to ClinicalTrials.gov for reference. Listing does not imply endorsement.

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