Mitochondrial-derived peptide
MOTS-c
ClinicalAn 'exercise mimetic' written into your mitochondrial DNA.
- Cited sources
- 2
- Human-tested claims
- 1 of 2
- Best evidence
- Tier 2 · Clinical
- Status
- Research-only
A 16-amino-acid peptide encoded within mitochondrial DNA that activates AMPK and improves insulin sensitivity — the closest thing to a molecular echo of exercise. The mechanism work is elegant and Western peer-reviewed; human data is early and mostly associative.
How it works
MOTS-c is encoded inside the mitochondrial 12S rRNA gene. It activates AMPK — a master energy sensor — shifting cells toward glucose use and metabolic stress resistance, which is why it is described as an 'exercise mimetic'. Most administered-peptide data is from mice; human work is correlational.
Sequence: MRWQEMGYIFYPRKLRA 16-residue peptide encoded in mitochondrial 12S rRNA; no standard modifications.
What it's studied for
One claim per card, each with its own tier and source. Tiers 1 and 2 are human data. Tiers 3 and 4 are not yet.
- [1]Lee et al., 2015 (Cell Metabolism)(opens in a new tab)
Activated AMPK and improved insulin sensitivity, reversing diet-induced obesity in mice.
Preclinical - [2]Cataldo et al., 2018 (J Investig Med)(opens in a new tab)
Plasma MOTS-c levels tracked with insulin sensitivity in lean but not obese people (cross-sectional).
Clinical
Regulatory & legal status
Not an approved drug in any jurisdiction; research-only. There is no interventional human safety data on administered MOTS-c.
[1]Lee et al., 2015 (Cell Metabolism)(opens in a new tab)References
Written by Twenty Residues editorial. Medical review: pending; a named reviewer is being assigned.
Last updated September 19, 2026.
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Update history
- 2026-09-19 — Sourced review — every claim checked against primary literature; sequence, regulatory status, safety, and FAQs added.