Longevity · peptide
MOTS-c
Mitochondrial ORF of the 12S rRNA type-c
Also sold as: MOTSc · MOTS-C · mitochondrial-derived peptide MOTS-c
A 16-amino-acid peptide encoded within mitochondrial DNA, with genuinely interesting metabolic biology in cells and rodents and no controlled human evidence.
What the evidence says
Graded on the compound profile, not restated here.
MOTS-c
A 16-amino-acid peptide encoded within mitochondrial DNA with genuinely interesting metabolic and mitochondrial biology in cells and rodents — and no controlled human evidence. Sold as a research chemical, not an approved drug.
- DPreclinicalMetabolic health / insulin sensitivityImproved insulin sensitivity in mice; not shown in humans.
- DPreclinicalExercise capacity / mitochondrial functionPreclinical only.
- UUnknownLongevity / healthspanNo evidence of a lifespan or aging benefit in humans.
- UUnknownLong-term human safetyUnknown — no controlled human safety data exist.
MOTS-c has the most interesting origin story in this catalog — a peptide encoded inside mitochondrial DNA rather than the nuclear genome — and that story does a lot of selling.
The compound profile grades its metabolic and exercise-capacity work at D: real findings, in cells and rodents. Longevity and healthspan outcomes are graded U.
Sequence length is the check
At 16 residues, MOTS-c is long enough that a truncated or partial product is meaningfully cheaper to synthesise and not obvious from a purity assay. The certificate should state the full sequence and confirm it by mass spectrometry.
A vendor reporting only “99% pure” has confirmed homogeneity, which is compatible with being homogeneously the wrong thing.
Price scaling is worth reading carefully
This catalog spans a wide range for MOTS-c depending on vial size, which puts pressure on accurate strength. Net peptide content on the COA is the figure to compare — not gross vial weight, and not the number on the label.
The evidence article covers what the rodent work actually established and why translation to people is unproven.
Before you buy
- Require mass-spec identity on a lot-matched COA rather than a product-line certificate.
- Confirm the stated sequence — MOTS-c is 16 residues and truncated products are cheaper to make.
- Check net peptide content against the labelled strength, since price scales steeply with vial size here.
- Treat mitochondrial-biology marketing as separate from evidence of a human effect.
What is sold
- Forms
- 5 mg vial · 10 mg vial
- Typical price
- $49.99–$149.99 depending on strength Indicative only. Not a live price.
- Storage
- Supplied lyophilized. Standard peptide handling applies; no special stability claims in this market have been independently verified.
Last reviewed 2026-08-24.