MOTS-c (Mitochondrial Open Reading Frame of the 12S rRNA Type-c) is a 16-amino acid peptide encoded within the mitochondrial genome 12S rRNA region (MT-RNR1). First identified as a regulator of cellular metabolic homeostasis, MOTS-c is a focus of research into mitochondrial-nuclear communication and the role of mitochondrially-encoded peptides in systemic metabolic signaling.

Published research has examined the effects of MOTS-c on AMPK pathway activation, glucose uptake and insulin sensitivity in skeletal muscle models, and its behavior as an exercise-induced myokine released in response to metabolic stress. Additional studies have investigated its role in age-related metabolic decline and its use as a tool for probing mitochondrial-to-nuclear retrograde signaling in cell culture systems.

Ares Research supplies MOTS-c as a research-grade lyophilized powder with documented purity and identity. This product is provided exclusively for in vitro laboratory research and is not approved for human or veterinary use.