What is MOTS-C?
MOTS-C (Mitochondrial Open reading frame of the Twelve S rRNA type-C) is classified as a mitochondrial-derived peptide (MDP), a family of short peptides encoded within the mitochondrial genome. It is a linear 16-residue peptide with the sequence Met-Arg-Trp-Gln-Glu-Met-Gly-Tyr-Ile-Phe-Tyr-Pro-Arg-Lys-Leu-Arg. Its molecular formula is C101H152N28O22S2 and its molecular weight is 2174.55.
Structurally, the peptide combines several distinct residue classes: two methionine residues that contribute the two sulfur atoms reflected in the formula, four basic residues (three arginine and one lysine) that give the chain a net positive character at physiological pH, aromatic residues (tryptophan, two tyrosines, and phenylalanine), and a single proline that introduces a conformational constraint in the backbone. As a 16-mer with no reported disulfide bridge or terminal modification in this sequence, it is handled as a standard linear synthetic peptide.
In the scientific literature, MOTS-C is studied as a mitochondrial-derived peptide of interest in cellular metabolism and mitochondrial signaling research. This catalog listing describes the material solely as a reference compound for in-vitro and laboratory investigation. It is offered strictly for research use only and is not intended for diagnostic, therapeutic, or any in-vivo use in humans or animals.
Reconstitution & handling
MOTS-C is supplied as a lyophilized (freeze-dried) powder and requires reconstitution into a liquid vehicle before use in laboratory work. Bacteriostatic or sterile water is the most common vehicle for this peptide; the diluent is typically directed down the inner wall of the vial rather than added directly onto the powder cake, and the vial is then left to dissolve without vigorous shaking. Gentle swirling or slow inversion preserves the peptide backbone, whereas foaming and mechanical agitation should be avoided.
Solubility can be influenced by the peptide's basic arginine and lysine residues alongside its aromatic and hydrophobic segments; if full dissolution is not achieved in water alone, laboratories sometimes employ a small proportion of a co-solvent as a research-determined step. Reconstituted material should be prepared under clean conditions, kept from repeated warming, and handled as a research reagent. No dosing or administration guidance is provided or implied.
Storage & stability
In its lyophilized form, MOTS-C is best stored sealed and protected from light and moisture; short-term storage at refrigerated temperatures and long-term storage frozen (for example, at or below -20 degrees C) support stability of the dry powder over extended periods. Once reconstituted, the peptide is less stable in solution and is typically kept refrigerated and used within a comparatively short research window, with aliquoting recommended to minimize repeated freeze-thaw cycles that can degrade peptide integrity. Minimizing exposure to heat, light, and oxygen helps preserve the material for analytical and experimental work.
How it's tested
Identity and purity of MOTS-C are verified analytically prior to release. Reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) is used to quantify chromatographic purity, reported here as greater than or equal to 99%, by resolving the target peptide from process-related impurities. Mass spectrometry (MS) confirms the molecular identity by matching the observed mass against the theoretical molecular weight of 2174.55 derived from the C101H152N28O22S2 formula and the 16-residue sequence. These results are documented on a Certificate of Analysis (COA), which is available for the material and serves as the record of identity and purity for laboratory reference.