PeptideExperimentalMitochondrial-derived peptideMetabolic peptide

MOTS-c

Also known as Mitochondrial ORF of the 12S rRNA type-c

Written by enwyReviewed 5 Aug 20261 sources0 comments

A 16-amino-acid mitochondrial-derived peptide encoded within the 12S rRNA region of mitochondrial DNA. In animals it activates AMPK and improves insulin sensitivity and exercise capacity, driving interest as a metabolic and 'exercise-mimetic' peptide. Human data are early and largely observational.

01 Overview

MOTS-c is one of several mitochondrial-derived peptides discovered in the last decade. Preclinically it translocates to the nucleus under metabolic stress and regulates AMPK signalling, improving glucose handling, reducing diet-induced obesity and enhancing physical performance in rodents.

Human work so far is mostly correlational — circulating MOTS-c levels tracking with fitness and metabolic status — rather than interventional. Injectable MOTS-c is sold on the peptide grey market for fat loss and endurance, ahead of any controlled human efficacy or safety data.

02 Mechanism

Mitochondrial-derived peptide that activates AMPK and, under stress, translocates to the nucleus to regulate metabolic and antioxidant gene expression, improving insulin sensitivity.

03 Dosing

Tier	Dose	Route	Notes
Anecdotal	5–10 mg/wk	SubQ	Grey-market weekly dosing reported by users; no validated clinical dose exists.

04 Effects

Effect	Magnitude	Evidence
Improved insulin sensitivityRodent studies show enhanced glucose handling and protection from diet-induced insulin resistance.	Better glucose tolerance (animals)	Preclinical
Enhanced exercise capacityImproved running capacity in aged mice; human effects are anecdotal.	Increased endurance (animals)	Preclinical

05 Side effects

Effect	Severity	Frequency	Evidence	Countermeasures
Hypoglycaemia potentialTheoretical low blood sugar given insulin-sensitising activity, especially combined with other agents.	Moderate	Unknown	Unconfirmed
Injection-site reactionsLocal irritation from subcutaneous injection of unregulated peptide.	Mild	Unknown	Unconfirmed

06 Legal status

United States

Research chemical

Not approved; sold 'for research use only'. · as of Jan 2026

07 References

The mitochondrial-derived peptide MOTS-c promotes metabolic homeostasisCell Metabolism, 2015

08 Discussion0 comments

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This page is reference information, not medical advice. Doses and protocols are documented as they appear in the clinical literature and in practice — describing them is not a recommendation to use them. Countermeasures listed here are not a substitute for a physician. Legal status varies by jurisdiction and changes.