Made in USA · ≥99% HPLC
Mitochondrial Peptide
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MOTS-c 40mg & 10mg
Mitochondrial ORF (12S rRNA)Mitochondrial-derived peptide16 amino acids
A 16-amino-acid mitochondrial-derived peptide encoded within mitochondrial DNA, supplied as 10 mg of sterile lyophilized powder for in-vitro study.
Price range: $54.95 through $159.95
In stock
For laboratory and research use only. Not for human consumption.
This product is not a drug, food or cosmetic. It is sold exclusively to qualified researchers and licensed laboratories.
Tested by Freedom Diagnostics TestingHPLC purity + LC-MS identityLot-matched COA on-site
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Verified COA
Batch-tested & posted · Freedom Diagnostics
Purity (HPLC-UV)99.615%
Identity (LC-MS)Confirmed
Net content11.14 mg
ReportedFeb 6, 2026
US-synthesizedMade & lab-released in the United States
Independent COAThird-party Certificate of Analysis per lot
HPLC + LC-MSPurity by HPLC, identity by mass spectrometry
Same-day dispatchOrders before 2 PM CT ship the same business day
What is MOTS-c?
MOTS-c is a 16-amino-acid mitochondrial-derived peptide (MDP), first described in 2015 by Lee and colleagues. Unusually, it is encoded within the human mitochondrial genome — in the 12S rRNA (MT-RNR1) gene region — rather than nuclear DNA, which distinguishes it from most known peptides. It is studied as one of the clearest described examples of mitochondrial-nuclear retrograde signaling, in which a mitochondrially encoded factor translocates to the nucleus to influence gene expression.
Research areas where laboratories buy MOTS-c for in vitro work include AMPK pathway-activation studies with downstream glucose-uptake effects in skeletal-muscle cell models, mitochondrial-nuclear retrograde-signaling and nuclear-translocation research under metabolic stress, AMPK and AICAR-related signaling pathways, and cellular aging models relating MOTS-c levels to mitochondrial function. The peptide contains two oxidation-sensitive methionine residues, a structure-activity consideration for assay design and handling.
Every lot, independently verified
Independently third-party tested and matched to the lot ID printed on your vial. Values below are from the latest released lot.
99.62%
HPLC-UV Purity
Passed full QC panel
Independent third-party lab (Freedom Diagnostics Testing)
View COA (PDF)
Latest batch · tested 10 Feb 2026 · Freedom Diagnostics (USA)
Lot details
ProductMOTS-c 10 mg
LotPer-batch on COA
AppearanceWhite lyophilized powder
Accession #2602060017
Reported10 Feb 2026
Full QC panel · third-party lab7 assays
Purity (HPLC-UV)99.615% ✓
Identity (LC-MS)MOTS-c ✓
HPLC conformity (2×)Confirmed ✓
Net content11.14 mg ✓
Heavy metals (ICP-MS)Not Detected ✓
SterilityNo Growth ✓
Endotoxin (USP <85>)Within limits ✓
Every lot is released against Koi's full QC panel — HPLC purity, LC-MS identity, net content, heavy metals, sterility, and endotoxin — by an independent third-party laboratory (Freedom Diagnostics Testing). Values shown are from the latest released lot (reported 10 Feb 2026) and vary batch to batch; the lot-specific certificate is published in our public COA library and matched to the lot ID printed on the vial.
Browse full COA library →
Compound information
Chemical & structural reference data — specifications, molecular profile and handling.
Product Specifications
CompoundMOTS-c (16-amino-acid mitochondrial-derived peptide)
Vial size10 mg
Purity≥99% by HPLC
Identity confirmationMass spectrometry
FormWhite lyophilized powder
Appearance in solutionClear, colorless solution
ManufacturingSynthesized and lyophilized in the United States
Quality testingIndependent third-party laboratory release (Freedom Diagnostics Testing)
Molecular Profile
SequenceMet-Arg-Trp-Gln-Glu-Met-Gly-Tyr-Ile-Phe-Tyr-Pro-Arg-Lys-Leu-Arg
Molecular formulaC101H152N28O22S2
Molecular weight2174.64 g/mol
CAS number1627580-64-6
PubChem CID146675088
EncodingMitochondrial MT-RNR1 (12S rRNA)
Structure class16-aa mitochondrial-derived peptide
Storage & Handling
AppearanceWhite lyophilized powder
SolubilitySterile water / buffers
Storage · powder−20 °C, desiccated, dark (−80 °C long-term)
In solution2–8 °C; protect Met from oxidation
MOTS-c Mechanism of Action
- Activates the AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) pathway, a central energy sensor, with downstream effects on glucose uptake in skeletal-muscle cell models.
- Translocates to the nucleus under metabolic stress to regulate nuclear gene expression — one of the clearest described examples of mitochondrial-nuclear retrograde signaling.
- Modulates fatty-acid and glucose metabolism, feeding into AMPK and AICAR-related signaling pathways.
- Is encoded within mitochondrial DNA (the MT-RNR1 / 12S rRNA region) rather than nuclear DNA — distinguishing it from most known peptides.
- Circulating levels are measured in metabolic and cellular aging models.
- Contains two oxidation-sensitive methionine residues, a structure-activity consideration for assay design and handling.
MOTS-c Research Applications
- AMPK pathway activation and downstream glucose-uptake effects in skeletal-muscle cell models.
- Mitochondrial-nuclear retrograde signaling and MOTS-c nuclear translocation under metabolic stress.
- Comparative MOTS-c activity in fasting, glucose-restriction, and oxidative-stress in-vitro models.
- AMPK and AICAR-related signaling pathways in cell culture.
- Cellular aging models relating MOTS-c levels to mitochondrial function.
- Receptor-binding and structure-activity studies under defined buffer and temperature conditions.
Why Buy MOTS-c from Koi Peptides?
- Every batch of Koi MOTS-c is synthesized and lyophilized in the United States, then released against independent third-party laboratory (Freedom Diagnostics Testing) testing.
- Each lot is tested by HPLC for purity, LC-MS for identity confirmation, and screened for endotoxin before release.
- The lot ID is printed on every vial and ties back to a public COA library, so researchers can verify documentation before they buy and after the vial arrives.
- Orders placed before 2 PM CT ship the same business day, and shipping is free on orders over $200.
References
The laboratory and preclinical research behind MOTS-c — cited for scientific context.
Cell Metabolism
MOTS-c translocates to the nucleus to regulate gene expression under metabolic stress
Am. J. Physiol. Endocrinol. Metab.
Mitochondrial-derived peptides in energy metabolism
Free Radic. Biol. Med.
MOTS-c and metabolic regulation of mitochondrial-nuclear communication
View all 3 references +
- Kim, K. H., et al. (2018). MOTS-c translocates to the nucleus to regulate gene expression under metabolic stress. Cell Metabolism, 28(3), 516–524. doi.org/10.1016/j.cmet.2018.06.008
- Merry, T. L., et al. (2020). Mitochondrial-derived peptides in energy metabolism. Am. J. Physiol. Endocrinol. Metab., 319(4), E659–E666. doi.org/10.1152/ajpendo.00249.2020
- Lu, H., et al. (2021). MOTS-c and metabolic regulation of mitochondrial-nuclear communication. Free Radic. Biol. Med., 165, 73–82. doi.org/10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2021.01.007
Regulatory Status
Regulatory status — provided for research context.
Regulatory Status
Regulatory status — provided for research context.
FDA Status
MOTS-c is not approved by the FDA for any indication. The research-grade material supplied by Koi Peptides is synthesized for laboratory research only; it is not formulated, packaged or labeled as a drug, food or cosmetic.
Disclaimer
For laboratory and research use only. Not for human consumption. This product is not a drug, food or cosmetic. It is sold exclusively to qualified researchers and licensed laboratories. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
Frequently Asked Questions About MOTS-c
What is MOTS-c used for in research?+
MOTS-c is the reference mitochondrial-derived peptide in metabolic and cellular aging research. In-vitro studies use it to characterize AMPK pathway activation and downstream glucose uptake in skeletal-muscle cell models, mitochondrial-nuclear retrograde signaling and nuclear translocation under metabolic stress, and AMPK and AICAR-related signaling pathways in cell culture.
What makes MOTS-c different from other peptides?+
It is encoded by mitochondrial DNA rather than nuclear DNA — unusual, since most peptides are translated from nuclear genes. Its sequence sits within the mitochondrial 12S rRNA (MT-RNR1) gene region and represents one of the clearest examples of mitochondrial-nuclear retrograde signaling.
What purity is Koi's MOTS-c?+
≥99% by HPLC (latest lot 99.6%), with identity confirmed by LC-MS. Every batch is released against third-party testing for HPLC purity, LC-MS identity, net content, heavy metals, sterility, and endotoxin, with a public lot-matched COA.
How do I prepare a MOTS-c solution?+
Dissolve in sterile water at neutral pH, or a defined assay buffer. Prepare working dilutions immediately before use, and for sterile cell-culture work filter through a 0.22 µm low-protein-binding membrane. The two methionine residues are oxidation-sensitive, so minimize air exposure during handling.
What is the CAS number for MOTS-c?+
The CAS number for MOTS-c is 1627580-64-6, and the PubChem CID is 146675088. It is a 16-amino-acid mitochondrial-derived peptide (molecular weight 2174.64 g/mol) encoded within the mitochondrial 12S rRNA region.
How should MOTS-c be stored?+
Hold the lyophilized vial at −20 °C (−80 °C long-term), sealed and away from light. Once dissolved, store at 2 to 8 °C and avoid freeze-thaw. The two methionine residues are oxidation-sensitive, so protect from prolonged air exposure.
Is MOTS-c for human use?+
No. MOTS-c is for laboratory and research use only and is not for human consumption. It is sold exclusively to qualified researchers and licensed laboratories.
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