What is MOTS-c?

MOTS-c (Mitochondrial Open Reading Frame of the 12S rRNA type-c) is a short, bioactive mitochondrial peptide composed of 16 amino acids, encoded by the mitochondrial genome within the 12S rRNA region. It was identified and characterised in the second decade of the 21st century as part of a study of mitochondrial signal peptides (so-called 'mitochondrial signal peptides'). mitochondrial-derived peptides, MDPs), representing a new class of molecules involved in communication between mitochondria and the cell nucleus. The discovery of MOTS-c has contributed to a paradigm shift in viewing mitochondria solely as energy organelles, pointing to their active role in the regulation of cellular and metabolic homeostasis.

In experimental studies, MOTS-c is used as a model peptide to analyse mechanisms of cellular adaptation to metabolic stress and energy imbalance. In in vitro and in vivo models, its involvement in the regulation of AMPK kinase-dependent pathways, glucose metabolism and the cellular response to limited energy substrate availability has been described. The ability of MOTS-c to translocate into the cell nucleus under stress conditions and its effects on the expression of genes related to metabolism, oxidative stress and the adaptive response of the cell were also highlighted.

Due to its unique mitochondrial origin, small molecule size and well-defined amino acid sequence, MOTS-c is used as a research tool in cell biology, mitochondrial biology and experimental pharmacology. In the scientific literature, it is used to study mitonuclear signalling, mechanisms of metabolic regulation and to validate analytical methods used in the determination of peptides of mitochondrial origin. The preparation is intended for research work only.

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