MOTS-c: peptide of the week

What is MOTS-c?

MOTS-c is a 16-amino-acid peptide encoded by mitochondrial DNA — one of a small family of “mitochondrial-derived peptides.”

How it works

Research indicates it can move to the cell nucleus under stress and influence genes involved in metabolism, partly through the AMPK energy-sensing pathway.

What researchers are studying

• ●Exercise capacity and muscle metabolism in mice
• ●Cellular stress responses
• ●Age-related metabolic changes

Where the evidence stands: Not approved by the FDA. Human research is at an early stage.

Recent peer-reviewed research

1. Safety and Efficacy of Approved and Unapproved Peptide Therapies for Musculoskeletal Injuries and Athletic Performance
   Sports medicine (Auckland, N.Z.) · 2026 Aug · PubMed ↗
2. Mitochondrial-Derived Peptide MOTS-c Suppresses Ovarian Cancer Progression by Attenuating USP7-Mediated LARS1 Deubiquitination
   Advanced science (Weinheim, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany) · 2024 Nov · PubMed ↗
3. Mitochondria-derived peptide MOTS-c and its role in OSA pathogenesis: a potential therapeutic target?
   Sleep and biological rhythms · 2025 Jul · PubMed ↗

New lab results that week

• AOD-9604 5mg · Mile High Compounds · Third-party labView report ↗