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KimeraCHEMS
Display
3D molecular model of MOTS-C

Calculated reference model · not an experimental or batch-certified structure. Backbone view: 65 of 153 atoms.

Model data & sources
  • Heavy atoms only; hydrogens are omitted from the reference display.
  • Source-defined atom stereochemistry is checked against the calculated coordinates; no energy-minimum or observed-fold claim is made.
  • Reference molecular species only; batch counterions, excipients and material composition are not certified.
  • Force-field relaxation reached its iteration limit. This is a geometry-checked reference, not a proven equilibrated or minimum-energy structure.
Sequence
MRWQEMGYIFYPRKLR
Formula
C101H152N28O22S2
Method
Source-identical PeptideBuilder idealized backbone / MMFF94s calculated reference conformer

MOTS-c: A Mitochondrial 16-Residue Peptide

MOTS-c Research Standard

MOTS-c (CAS 1627580-64-6) is a 16-amino-acid peptide supplied as a 10 mg lyophilized powder in a 3 mL vial. Its name is its description: mitochondrial open reading frame of the 12S rRNA-c. It is encoded by a short open reading frame inside mitochondrial DNA rather than the nuclear genome — which makes it a different kind of object from every other peptide in this catalogue.[1]

Mechanism of Action & Research Context

Mitochondria are usually treated as functional organelles. MOTS-c is part of the evidence that they also act as a signalling unit, encoding peptides that regulate metabolism at the cellular and organismal level.[1]

  • The mechanism runs through one-carbon metabolism, not a receptor. MOTS-c inhibits the folate cycle and the de novo purine biosynthesis tethered to it, and that inhibition is what leads to AMPK activation. The AMPK activation is downstream, not the primary event — a distinction worth keeping straight when designing a readout.[1]

  • Skeletal muscle is the apparent primary target organ.[1]

  • Precedent from humanin. The identification of a short ORF in mitochondrial DNA encoding the signalling peptide humanin is what prompted the search for others. MOTS-c was the result.[1]

  • Preclinical metabolic effects. In mice, MOTS-c treatment prevented both age-dependent and high-fat-diet-induced insulin resistance, as well as diet-induced obesity.[1]

Research Applications

Primary fields of in vitro and preclinical laboratory investigation include:

  • Folate cycle and de novo purine biosynthesis assays, which is where the primary effect sits.[1]

  • AMPK activation readouts as the downstream consequence.[1]

  • Skeletal muscle metabolic models, including insulin sensitivity measurement.[1]

  • Mitochondrial-derived peptide discovery, searching mtDNA for further short open reading frames.[1]

Analytical Documentation

Purity and identity vary by manufacturing lot. Kimera Chems does not publish a single fixed purity figure for this item; refer to the batch-specific Certificate of Analysis (COA) issued for the lot received, which reflects third-party analytical testing for that lot.

References

  1. Lee C, Zeng J, Drew BG, et al. The mitochondrial-derived peptide MOTS-c promotes metabolic homeostasis and reduces obesity and insulin resistance. Cell Metab. 2015;21(3):443–454. doi:10.1016/j.cmet.2015.02.009

Storage & Handling

Store at controlled room temperature, sealed and protected from light.

Storage guidance is a house recommendation. Analytical documentation is per-lot release testing.

Related Research Compounds

Research Use Only Disclaimer: This product is labeled and sold "For Research Use Only - NOT FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION." It is not a drug, dietary supplement, food, cosmetic, or medical device, and it is not approved by the FDA or any other regulator for human or veterinary use. It is supplied to approved account holders as a research chemical for laboratory use and must be handled in accordance with applicable law.

Kimera Chems

Compounds That Survive Scrutiny

Research use only. Not for human or veterinary use.