MOTS-c
A 16-amino-acid peptide encoded by mitochondrial DNA, described in 2015 and studied in metabolism and ageing research.
Level of evidence
Preclinical — cell and animal studiesWhat it is
MOTS-c is encoded by a short sequence within the mitochondrial 12S ribosomal RNA gene. It was described in 2015 by a research group at the University of Southern California.
State of the research
Published work mainly involves cell cultures and mice (metabolism, exercise, ageing). Human data are limited to measurements of its natural levels; controlled trials of MOTS-c itself have not been published.
Sources
Last reviewed: October 2026
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