MOTS-c (Mitochondrial Open Reading Frame of the 12S rRNA-c) is a 16-amino-acid mitochondrial-derived peptide (MDP) encoded within the mitochondrial 12S rRNA gene (MT-RNR1). Discovered in 2015 by Lee et al. at USC, it acts as a metabolic regulator primarily through AMPK activation. In mouse models, MOTS-c prevents diet-induced obesity and insulin resistance, enhances exercise capacity (old mice ran 2x longer on treadmill tests), and reduces age-related metabolic decline. A modified analog (CB4211) showed good tolerability in a Phase 1 human trial. No clinical trials of native MOTS-c in humans have been completed.
48 vendors tracked by PeptideAtlas list MOTS-c, priced from $20.00 to $200. The lowest price per milligram is $1.00/mg at Lipeptides (20mg). 26 independent Janoshik purity tests cover MOTS-c across 19 vendors. Results range from 97.5% to 99.9%.
Category: Metabolic / Mitochondrial. Evidence rating: D (animal/preclinical only).
Clinical status: Research-only / No human clinical trials completed (Phase 1 of analog CB4211 only)
MOTS-c activates AMPK by inhibiting the folate cycle, causing accumulation of AICAR (an AMP analog). Activated AMPK shifts cells into energy-efficient mode: enhancing glucose uptake, fatty-acid oxidation, and mitochondrial respiration while downregulating fat storage and gluconeogenesis. Under…
Research base: 4 registered clinical trials and 114 indexed publications reference MOTS-c.
Safety considerations: No adverse effects reported in preclinical animal studies; Human tolerability is completely unknown for native MOTS-c (no completed human trials); Modified analog CB4211 showed good tolerability in Phase 1.
Reviewed by the PeptideAtlas Editorial Team.
| Amino-acid sequence | 16-amino acid mitochondrial-derived peptide (MRWQEMGYIFYPRKLR) |
|---|---|
| Molecular weight | ~2174.6 g/mol |
| CAS number | 1627580-64-6 |
| Half-life | Several hours; tissue effects may persist longer |
| Production method | synthetic |
| Anti-doping status | not-listed |
| US regulatory status | Not FDA-approved. Removed from FDA Category 2 on April 15, 2026. PCAC review scheduled July 23-24, 2026. Research chemical. |
| Vendor | Size | Price | Price per mg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lipeptides | 20mg | $20.00 | $1.00/mg |
| Petratide Science | 40mg | $59.95 | $1.50/mg |
| Evolve BioPep | 40mg | $80.00 | $2.00/mg |
| Legendary Peptides | 40mg | $99.00 | $2.48/mg |
| Prospera Peptides | 10mg | $25.00 | $2.50/mg |
| Rejuvenate Peptides | 40 mg | $100 | $2.50/mg |
| Athena Peptides | 40MG | $110 | $2.75/mg |
| Archer Peptides | 10MG | $28.00 | $2.80/mg |
| PureRx Peptides | 10mg | $28.00 | $2.80/mg |
| Growth Guys | 40mg | $120 | $3.00/mg |
| Great Northern Peptides | 40mg | $120 | $3.00/mg |
| All Peptides USA | 10MG | $33.00 | $3.30/mg |
| Wolverine Peptides | 40mg | $149 | $3.73/mg |
| Orbitrex Peptides | 40mg | $150 | $3.75/mg |
| Compound Purity | 40mg | $157 | $3.92/mg |
| Sigma Peptides | 10MG | $39.99 | $4.00/mg |
| Pulse Research Expansion | 10MG | $39.99 | $4.00/mg |
| Lux Synth Aminos | 10mg | $40.00 | $4.00/mg |
| Choice Peps | 10mg | $40.00 | $4.00/mg |
| Purus Peptides | 10MG | $40.00 | $4.00/mg |
| Bioscience Peptides | 40mg | $160 | $4.00/mg |
| Great Lakes Peptides | 10mg | $40.00 | $4.00/mg |
| Advanced Research Peptides | 10mg | $40.00 | $4.00/mg |
| Particle Peptides | 10mg | $41.00 | $4.10/mg |
| NUPEPS Peptides | 20MG | $85.00 | $4.25/mg |
| Vendor | Best tested purity |
|---|---|
| www.optimasupply.net | 99.9% |
| MOB Peptides | 99.9% |
| Growth Guys Canada | 99.9% |
| Inno Peptides | 99.9% |
| Pacific Wave | 99.8% |
| Qingdao Sigma Chemical QSC | 99.8% |
| Kensingtonlabs.co | 99.7% |
| ZLZ Peptide | 99.6% |
| PTDS | 99.6% |
| Hangzhou Mandy Biotechnology | 99.6% |
| Penguin Peptides | 99.5% |
| Peptide Gurus | 99.4% |
| Cocer Peptides | 99.4% |
| PACIFIC WAVE PEPTIDES | 99.4% |
| Zztai Peptide | 99.1% |
| Imperial Peptides | 99.0% |
| cellpept | 99.0% |
| Henan Sahe Peptide | 99.0% |
| Lab Rat Peptide | 97.5% |
Related peptides: SS-31, Humanin.
Compare: MOTS-c vs SS-31.
Independent lab tests: MOTS-c purity test results.
No. While called an "exercise mimetic" based on rodent studies (old mice ran 2x longer), there is no human evidence that MOTS-c can replicate the complex benefits of physical exercise. MOTS-c is naturally released during exercise, suggesting it is one of many mediators of exercise benefits.
No. Both are mitochondrial-derived peptides, but they are encoded by different genes. MOTS-c is encoded by the 12S rRNA gene (MT-RNR1), while humanin and SHLPs 1-6 are encoded by the 16S rRNA gene. They have different mechanisms and targets.
Native MOTS-c has not completed human clinical trials. A modified analog (CB4211) showed good tolerability in Phase 1. Human dosing, safety, and efficacy remain unknown.
MOTS-c activates AMPK (the cell's energy sensor) by inhibiting the folate cycle. This shifts cells into energy-efficient mode. Under stress, it also moves from mitochondria to the nucleus to upregulate protective genes -- a unique retrograde signaling mechanism.
WADA prohibits peptide hormones and their releasing factors not approved for therapeutic use, which would include MOTS-c.
Vendors with independent lab tests for it: Lab Rat Peptide, Growth Guys Canada, Qingdao Sigma Chemical QSC, MOB Peptides.
Vendors stocking it: Direct Peptides UK, LimitlessBioChem, VPeptide, Polar Peptides, Lux Synth Aminos, Panda Peptides, NUPEPS Peptides, Eternal Peptides, Loti Labs, M-Peptides, Amino Lair, Reta-Peptide, Hangzhou Mandy Biotechnology, Zztai Peptide, Evolve BioPep, Nexaph, Wolverine Peptides, Homopeptide, Pepix Labs, Peptide Origin, All Peptides USA, Sigma Peptides, Biomax Research, NovaPeptide, Ameano Peptides, Mei Peptide, Pulse Research Expansion, Prime Lab Peptides, Flycn Peptide, Pacific Peptide, Mammoth Muscle Peptides, Ascension Peptides, Prospera Peptides, Onyx Research, Compound Sciences, Choice Peps, Pantera Peptides, Wholesale Peptide, BleauGenics.
Coverage on this site: Imperial Peptides UK issues MOTS-C quality guide for researchers, Imperial Peptides UK Publishes Lyophilised MOTS-C Handling Guidance, FDA Panel Backs Six Unapproved Peptides for 503A Compounding List, Craft Health’s CraftMake Platform Gets a Peptide Test Run - 3D Printing Industry, FDA panel backs unapproved peptides despite safety concerns, Turning Back the Clock: Why St. Johns County Patients Are Choosing Physician-Led Peptide Therapy.
Independent lab results for MOTS-c: Mots-c — Independent Lab Test Results, Mots-c 10mg — Independent Lab Test Results.