Compound monograph
MOTS-c
MOTS-c is a sixteen-amino-acid peptide encoded by a short open reading frame within the mitochondrial 12S rRNA, rather than by the nuclear genome.
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Identity & nomenclature
MOTS-c is a sixteen-amino-acid peptide encoded by a short open reading frame within the mitochondrial 12S rRNA, rather than by the nuclear genome.
MOTS-c stands for mitochondrial open reading frame of the 12S rRNA-c. PubChem CID 146675088 is retained for the free peptide H-MRWQEMGYIFYPRKLR-OH; CID 164946842 contains three acetic-acid components, and CID 172641109 contains three trifluoroacetic-acid components despite its acetate title.
Declared aliases and development codes: Mitochondrial open reading frame of the 12S rRNA-c.
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Molecular properties
| Molecular formula | C101H152N28O22S2 |
|---|---|
| Molecular mass | 2174.6 Da |
| CAS Registry Number | 1627580-64-6 |
| PubChem CID | 146675088 |
| UNII | A5CV6JFB78 |
| One-letter sequence | MRWQEMGYIFYPRKLR |
| Three-letter sequence | Met–Arg–Trp–Gln–Glu–Met–Gly–Tyr–Ile–Phe–Tyr–Pro–Arg–Lys–Leu–Arg |
| Terminal groups | Free N-terminus; Free C-terminal carboxyl |
Sixteen residues, all L, with a free N-terminus and a free C-terminal carboxyl, as encoded by PubChem CID 146675088. Methionine at positions 1 and 6 accounts for the two sulfur atoms. Summing the sixteen residues and removing fifteen waters gives C101H152N28O22S2 and 2174.62 Da, reproducing the recorded formula and mass.
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Structural characteristics
The discovery report identifies the encoding short open reading frame within mitochondrial DNA and describes cellular actions inhibiting the folate cycle and its tethered de novo purine biosynthesis, leading to AMPK activation. A subsequent report describes nuclear translocation and regulation of nuclear gene expression following metabolic stress in an AMPK-dependent manner, including interaction with antioxidant-response-element-regulating transcription factors such as NFE2L2/NRF2.
Terminal features: Free N-terminus, Free C-terminal carboxyl.
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Molecular targets & mechanisms
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Analytical considerations
The two sulfur atoms in the molecular formula correspond to sulfur-containing residues and are relevant to oxidation-related degradation pathways. PubChem CID 146675088 contains no counterion component and reports C101H152N28O22S2 for the free peptide, so a counterion-containing preparation requires a separately specified composition.
Disagreements and mix-ups
Points where sources disagree about this compound's identity, or where a name or form is easily confused with another, as noted in this record. The discrepancy register quotes the passage for each one.
Often mixed up · Salt or form
Trifluoroacetate salt record vs the free peptide
What the studies reported
Each finding describes one cited study in its stated model. These observations are specific to that study and do not establish effects in other settings.
Animal studies
Mice with age-dependent or high-fat-diet-induced insulin resistance
Lee et al. reported that MOTS-c prevented age-dependent and high-fat-diet-induced insulin resistance in mice.
Reference [1]Mice in a diet-induced obesity model
Lee et al. reported prevention of diet-induced obesity in mice in the MOTS-c experiment.
Reference [1]
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Verified bibliography
Cited studies by type
The 3 papers this record cites, counted by the kind of work each reports. A count is the size of this record's selection, not of the research that exists, and says nothing about results, safety, effectiveness or approval.
A paper can report more than one kind of work. Each count opens those papers in the bibliography. Compare every record on the Evidence Map.
Reference 1
The mitochondrial-derived peptide MOTS-c promotes metabolic homeostasis and reduces obesity and insulin resistance.Lee C, Zeng J, Drew BG, Sallam T, Martin-Montalvo A, Wan J, Kim SJ, Mehta H, Hevener AL, de Cabo R, Cohen P
Cell metabolism · 2015-03-03 · Journal Article
currentReference 2
The Mitochondrial-Encoded Peptide MOTS-c Translocates to the Nucleus to Regulate Nuclear Gene Expression in Response to Metabolic Stress.Kim KH, Son JM, Benayoun BA, Lee C
Cell metabolism · 2018-07-05 · Journal Article
currentReference 3
AMPK: guardian of metabolism and mitochondrial homeostasis.Herzig S, Shaw RJ
Nature reviews. Molecular cell biology · 2017-10-04 · Review
current
Study models of these references
What kind of experiment each cited paper reports, taken from its abstract unless marked. Not a summary of results.
| Reference | Study models |
|---|---|
| Lee C et al. 2015 | Study models reported: in vitro; animal (mouse) · from the full text |
| Kim KH et al. 2018 | Study models reported: in vitro · from the full text |
| Herzig S et al. 2017 | Review article |
Record history
Published 2026-09-04.
- : Sequence and structure
- : Identity and nomenclature, Analytical notes
Each entry names the parts of this record that changed on that date. Changes to links between records and to catalogue links are not listed. This history covers the tracked record fields; study findings are not listed here.
Cite this record: Purely Peptides Research Library. MOTS-c. Published 2026-09-04; updated 2026-10-14. https://purelypeptides.org/research/compounds/mots-c/
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Methodology & citation verification
Reference identity is checked against official PubMed metadata. Local deterministic receipts bind each normalized title and canonical metadata record to its verification date. Scientific values remain absent when an authoritative source has not been verified.
Read the full methodology →