SS-31 vs MOTS-c
Key differences, research and prices — side by side.
Both relate to mitochondria. SS-31 (elamipretide) is a synthetic peptide that binds cardiolipin inside mitochondria and received FDA accelerated approval in 2025 for Barth syndrome. MOTS-c is a naturally occurring peptide encoded by mitochondrial DNA, studied mostly in animal metabolism research.
| SS-31 | MOTS-c | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | SS-31 (elamipretide) is a small synthetic tetrapeptide designed to concentrate inside mitochondria, the energy-producing structures of cells. | MOTS-c is a 16-amino-acid peptide encoded by mitochondrial DNA — one of a small family of “mitochondrial-derived peptides.” |
| How it works | It binds cardiolipin, a lipid in the inner mitochondrial membrane, which is thought to help stabilize the machinery that produces cellular energy. | Research indicates it can move to the cell nucleus under stress and influence genes involved in metabolism, partly through the AMPK energy-sensing pathway. |
| Research areas |
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| Evidence | Human clinical studies | Mostly animal & lab studies |
| Regulatory status | Elamipretide has been studied in human clinical trials and received FDA accelerated approval in 2025 for Barth syndrome, a rare mitochondrial disease. | Not approved by the FDA. Human research is at an early stage. |
| Research area | Mitochondrial | Mitochondrial |
| Sequence | D-Arg-2,6-dimethylTyr-Lys-Phe-NH2 | MRWQEMGYIFYPRKLR |
| Lowest price | $2.94/mg → | $2.97/mg → |
| Tested vendors | 2 | 2 |
| Third-party lab results | 6 COAs | 5 COAs |
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Educational comparison of published research — not medical advice, and not a recommendation of either compound. Prices are for reference only. Compounds referenced are sold by third parties for laboratory research use only and are not for human consumption.