MOTS-c
What MOTS-c is
MOTS-c is a mitochondrial-derived peptide, which makes it unusual in this reference. Almost every other compound here is encoded in nuclear DNA. MOTS-c is encoded in the mitochondrial genome, in a short open reading frame within the 12S rRNA gene, and is 16 amino acids long.
That origin is not trivia. It places MOTS-c in a small class of peptides that appear to act as signals from the mitochondria to the rest of the cell, and it is why published work approaches it through metabolic regulation rather than tissue repair or growth signalling.
At a glance
| Class | Mitochondrial-derived peptide (MDP) |
|---|---|
| Length | 16 amino acids |
| Encoded in | Mitochondrial DNA, 12S rRNA region |
| Studied pathway | AMPK signalling, metabolic regulation |
| Presentation | Lyophilised powder, or pre-filled SerenQ pen |
| Reported half-life | Short |
| Storage | 2 to 8 °C |
Where it sits among the metabolic peptides
MOTS-c, AOD-9604 and 5-Amino-1MQ are frequently grouped together as metabolic compounds, but they are not variations on a theme. Each works through a distinct mechanism.
| Compound | Type | Studied mechanism |
|---|---|---|
| MOTS-c | Mitochondrial peptide | AMPK signalling |
| AOD-9604 | hGH fragment 176-191 | Lipolytic activity without growth signalling |
| 5-Amino-1MQ | Small molecule | NNMT inhibition in adipocytes |
The practical consequence is that findings do not transfer between them. A result for AOD-9604 says nothing about MOTS-c.
Reconstitution
Bring the vial to room temperature. Swab the stopper, draw your diluent, and let it run down the inside wall rather than striking the powder. Allow it to dissolve unaided, swirling gently if slow. Never shake, and never use a solution that has not gone fully clear.
Concentration is total peptide divided by diluent volume. A 10mg vial with 2ml gives 5mg/ml, so 10 units on a U-100 syringe carries 500mcg. Full worked examples in the reconstitution guide.
Because MOTS-c has a short half-life, there is little advantage in reconstituting a large volume at once. Time in solution is the main driver of degradation.
Storage
Sealed and lyophilised, 2 to 8 °C away from light. Reconstituted, refrigerate upright and dark and do not freeze. Ice crystal formation shears peptide chains and each freeze-thaw cycle compounds the damage without changing the appearance of the solution.
Where bacteriostatic water is used, the 28 day window from first puncture generally governs.
Frequently asked
Is MOTS-c a steroid? No. It is a 16 amino acid peptide encoded in mitochondrial DNA, with no relationship to anabolic steroids.
Is it the same as AOD-9604? No. AOD-9604 is a fragment of human growth hormone. MOTS-c is not derived from growth hormone at all and works through a different pathway.
Why is it described as mitochondrial? Because the gene encoding it sits in mitochondrial DNA rather than in the cell nucleus, which is rare among known peptides.
Vial or pen? The SerenQ pen arrives as a made-up solution with no reconstitution step. The vial lets you set the concentration yourself. See pens compared with vials.