Energy & anti-ageing
MOTS-c: published research
Also known as Mitochondrial open reading frame of the 12S rRNA type-c
A short peptide encoded in the DNA of mitochondria, the energy-producing parts of the cell. It is one of a small group of 'mitochondrial-derived peptides'. Studies look at how it activates AMPK — the cell's energy sensor — and how that changes the way muscle uses sugar and fat.
Evidence at a glance
3 studies 2015–2021
- 2 Animal study
- 1 Review
What researchers look at
- Mitochondria
- AMPK pathway
- Muscle metabolism
- Exercise capacity
What is still unknown
Research is still mainly in animals and cells; human data so far measure natural MOTS-c levels rather than giving it.
Animal studies
2- Animal study
In young, middle-aged and old mice, MOTS-c improved physical performance; separately, exercise raised natural MOTS-c levels in human muscle and blood.
Reynolds JC, et al. MOTS-c is an exercise-induced mitochondrial-encoded regulator of age-dependent physical decline and muscle homeostasis. Nature Communications. 2021. PMID 33473109
- Animal study
In mice and cultured cells, MOTS-c acted mainly on skeletal muscle through AMPK activation and prevented diet-induced obesity and insulin resistance.
Lee C, et al. The mitochondrial-derived peptide MOTS-c promotes metabolic homeostasis and reduces obesity and insulin resistance. Cell Metabolism. 2015. PMID 25738459
Reviews
1- Review
This short review describes MOTS-c as a peptide encoded by mitochondrial DNA that has been shown to act on skeletal muscle and enhance glucose metabolism, with possible relevance to obesity, diabetes, exercise and longevity.
Lee C, et al. MOTS-c: A novel mitochondrial-derived peptide regulating muscle and fat metabolism. Free Radical Biology & Medicine. 2016. PMID 27216708
Short summaries of published studies, with links to the original papers. Results in animals or cells may not apply to people. This is not medical advice and not a guide to use.