Overview
MOTS-c is a mitochondrial-derived peptide that supports metabolic homeostasis and longevity. It has been shown to enhance exercise capacity, reduce obesity, and improve insulin resistance and osteoporosis markers. Once thought to act only within mitochondria, MOTS-c is now known to have systemic effects, including nuclear gene regulation and circulation in the bloodstream.
MOTS-c is a mitochondrial-derived peptide that supports metabolic homeostasis and longevity. It has been shown to enhance exercise capacity, reduce obesity, and improve insulin resistance and osteoporosis markers. Once thought to act only within mitochondria, MOTS-c is now known to have systemic effects, including nuclear gene regulation and circulation in the bloodstream.
Key Benefits
- Metabolic Support: Promotes balanced metabolism, aiding weight management and insulin sensitivity.
- Exercise Enhancement: Improves endurance and exercise capacity by optimizing cellular energy production.
- Bone Health: Supports bone strength via osteoblast activity and collagen synthesis.
- Longevity: Associated with genetic markers linked to extended lifespan in certain populations.
Structure
- Peptide Sequence: Met-Arg-Trp-Gln-Glu-Met-Gly-Tyr-Ile-Phe-Tyr-Pro-Arg-Lys-Leu-Arg
- Molecular Formula: C101H152N28O22S2
- Molecular Weight: 2174.64 g/mol
Research Findings
Muscle Metabolism
MOTS-c boosts muscle glucose uptake independently of insulin and activates AMPK, improving glucose transport and reducing age-related insulin resistance in muscle cells.
MOTS-c boosts muscle glucose uptake independently of insulin and activates AMPK, improving glucose transport and reducing age-related insulin resistance in muscle cells.
Fat Metabolism
MOTS-c reduces adipose accumulation by increasing brown fat activity and decreasing storage. It helps prevent adipose inflammation, activates fat metabolism pathways, and supports insulin sensitivity.
MOTS-c reduces adipose accumulation by increasing brown fat activity and decreasing storage. It helps prevent adipose inflammation, activates fat metabolism pathways, and supports insulin sensitivity.
Insulin Sensitivity
Circulating MOTS-c correlates with insulin sensitivity in lean individuals and may serve as an early indicator of developing insulin resistance. Supplementation could help delay progression to diabetes in at-risk groups.
Circulating MOTS-c correlates with insulin sensitivity in lean individuals and may serve as an early indicator of developing insulin resistance. Supplementation could help delay progression to diabetes in at-risk groups.
Osteoporosis
MOTS-c promotes type I collagen synthesis in osteoblasts and regulates the TGF-beta/SMAD pathway, supporting osteoblast development and survival for improved bone strength.
MOTS-c promotes type I collagen synthesis in osteoblasts and regulates the TGF-beta/SMAD pathway, supporting osteoblast development and survival for improved bone strength.
Cardiovascular Health
Lower MOTS-c levels are associated with endothelial dysfunction. Supplementation has been shown to improve endothelial responsiveness and overall vascular health in research settings.
Lower MOTS-c levels are associated with endothelial dysfunction. Supplementation has been shown to improve endothelial responsiveness and overall vascular health in research settings.
Longevity and Genetic Influence
Specific MOTS-c variants identified in long-lived populations suggest a link to extended lifespan, likely through effects on mitochondrial function and metabolic regulation.
Specific MOTS-c variants identified in long-lived populations suggest a link to extended lifespan, likely through effects on mitochondrial function and metabolic regulation.
How MOTS-c Works
MOTS-c activates the AMPK pathway, a central regulator of cellular energy. By modulating metabolism and supporting a flexible switch between glucose and fat utilization, it improves metabolic efficiency at the cellular and systemic level.
MOTS-c activates the AMPK pathway, a central regulator of cellular energy. By modulating metabolism and supporting a flexible switch between glucose and fat utilization, it improves metabolic efficiency at the cellular and systemic level.
Product Information
- Peptide Type: Mitochondrial-derived peptide
- Primary Actions: Metabolic support, exercise performance, bone health, vascular support
- Storage: Store frozen until first use. Then refrigerate at 2°C – 8°C for up to 56 days.
Selected Research Summaries
- Muscle Metabolism: Reverses age-dependent insulin resistance in skeletal muscle by enhancing AMPK responsiveness and glucose transporter expression.
- Adipose Regulation: Prevents adipose inflammation and dysfunction, increases beta-oxidation, and modulates lipid pathways to reduce fat accumulation.
- Nuclear Signaling: Translocates to the nucleus during metabolic stress to regulate genes involved in glucose restriction and antioxidant responses.
- Bone Formation: Stimulates osteoblast collagen synthesis and differentiation via TGF-beta/SMAD signaling, improving bone density and integrity.
- Endothelial Function: Lower circulating levels correlate with endothelial dysfunction; supplementation improves microvascular responses.
References
- Lee C., Kim K.H., Cohen P. MOTS-c and muscle/fat metabolism. Free Radic Biol Med. 2016.
- Mohtashami Z., et al. MOTS-c in aging and age-related diseases. Int J Mol Sci.
- Kim K.H., Son J.M., Benayoun B.A., Lee C. Nuclear translocation and gene regulation. Cell Metab. 2018.
- Reynolds J.C., et al. Exercise-induced MOTS-c and physical decline. Nat Commun. 2021.
- Lu H., et al. Adipose homeostasis and ovariectomy model. J Mol Med. 2019.
- Qin Q., et al. Circulating MOTS-c and endothelial dysfunction. Int J Cardiol. 2018.
- Hu B.T., Chen W.Z. Osteogenic differentiation via TGF-β/Smad. Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci. 2018.
- Che N., et al. Type I collagen synthesis in osteoblasts. Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci. 2019.
- Fuku N., et al. MOTS-c polymorphism and longevity. Aging Cell.
