MOTS-c Peptide 20mg: Product Details, Quality and Ordering
MOTS-c peptide research stands out because the peptide is encoded in mitochondrial DNA rather than the nuclear genome. Since it was first described in 2015, preclinical studies have examined it in metabolic regulation, skeletal muscle and cellular stress responses.
At Peptide King, our MOTS-c 20mg is listed as a lyophilized research material with the 16-amino-acid sequence MRWQEMGYIFYPRKLR. The current page states a 20mg nominal quantity, molecular weight of 2174.5 g/mol, ≥98% HPLC-verified purity, and storage at -20°C protected from light. It is supplied exclusively for in-vitro laboratory research.
This guide explains where MOTS-c comes from, what researchers have studied, and which quality details deserve attention before laboratory use.
What Is MOTS-c Peptide?
MOTS-c stands for mitochondrial open reading frame of the 12S rRNA type-c. It is a 16-amino-acid peptide encoded within the mitochondrial 12S rRNA gene.
MOTS-c Belongs to the Mitochondrial-Derived Peptide Family
Mitochondria carry their own small genome. Researchers have identified short open reading frames within it that encode bioactive peptides, a group known as mitochondrial-derived peptides. Humanin is another member of that group.
MOTS-c was first described in a 2015 Cell Metabolism study by Lee and colleagues.
The Sequence Is Short and Defined
The Peptide King page lists the sequence as MRWQEMGYIFYPRKLR, matching the published 16-residue sequence.
The listed molecular weight of 2174.5 g/mol is consistent with that sequence. Salt forms such as acetate add counter-ion mass, so the stated weight should match the form being supplied.
What Has MOTS-c Research Actually Studied?
Most MOTS-c research is preclinical. That distinction should remain visible whenever the peptide is discussed.
Metabolic Regulation and AMPK Signalling
The 2015 study reported that MOTS-c acts on the folate cycle, leading to accumulation of the metabolite AICAR and activation of AMPK, an enzyme central to cellular energy sensing.
In mice, MOTS-c treatment was associated with protection against diet-induced obesity and insulin resistance. Those were animal findings, not human clinical outcomes.
Skeletal Muscle Is a Primary Research Target
The same work identified skeletal muscle as a main target tissue.
A 2021 Nature Communications study reported that endogenous MOTS-c levels rose with exercise in humans, and that MOTS-c treatment improved physical performance in mice of different ages.
MOTS-c Can Move to the Nucleus Under Stress
A 2018 Cell Metabolism study reported that MOTS-c translocates to the nucleus during metabolic stress and influences nuclear gene expression. That work positioned MOTS-c as a possible signal between mitochondria and the nucleus.
How Strong Is the Human Evidence for MOTS-c?
Human evidence is where the MOTS-c story becomes much more limited.
FDA Found No Clinical Studies or Human Exposure Data
In its July 2026 briefing document on MOTS-c-related bulk drug substances, the FDA stated that it had not identified any clinical studies or human exposure data for MOTS-c by any route of administration. The agency concluded that potential safety risks in humans were unknown.
Measuring the body’s own MOTS-c during exercise is different from studying administered MOTS-c. The peptide has an interesting preclinical literature but no established human efficacy or safety profile. Peptide King presents it as laboratory research material, not a medical treatment.
What Does the Peptide King MOTS-c 20mg Page Specify?
The live MOTS-c 20mg research product page gives researchers several specifications directly.
The Listed Specifications Are Clear
The current page identifies:
- Quantity: 20mg
- Form: lyophilized powder
- Purity: ≥98% HPLC verified
- Storage: -20°C protected from light
- Molecular weight: 2174.5 g/mol
- Sequence: MRWQEMGYIFYPRKLR, 16 amino acids
What the Current MOTS-c Page Does Not Show
The MOTS-c 20mg page lists ≥98% HPLC-verified purity, but it does not display a batch-specific CoA link.
That matters because the FDA’s review treated MOTS-c free base and MOTS-c acetate as separate substances and noted inconsistent naming for both.
Before relying on purity or identity, confirm which form was tested and match the analytical report to the lot being ordered.
HPLC Purity Is Not the Same as Identity
HPLC can estimate chromatographic purity by separating components in a sample. A ≥98% result means the principal peak represents a high proportion of detected material under that method. It does not establish that the main peak is MOTS-c.
For a defined 16-residue sequence, mass spectrometry can confirm whether the measured mass matches the expected peptide. Net peptide content answers a separate question about how much peptide is present.
Why Does a Certificate of Analysis Matter for MOTS-c?
A CoA should connect analytical testing to the actual material being procured.
Salt Form and Sequence Both Need to Match
Because naming of MOTS-c forms has been inconsistent, the certificate should state the form tested and support the sequence.
Researchers should look for:
| CoA field | What to verify |
|---|---|
| Sequence | Matches MRWQEMGYIFYPRKLR |
| Chemical form | Free base, acetate, or another form |
| Molecular weight | Consistent with the stated form |
| Lot number | Matches current inventory |
| Purity | Method and result are reported |
| Identity | Mass spectrometry support is shown |
| Net peptide content | Distinguished from purity |
| Test date | Relevant to the current batch |
How Does MOTS-c Compare With Other Metabolic Research Compounds?
MOTS-c appears in catalogs beside other compounds used in metabolic research, but the similarities are thematic rather than structural.
Similar Research Themes Do Not Make Compounds Interchangeable
Peptide King also lists NAD+ 500mg, a coenzyme central to cellular energy metabolism, and 5-Amino-1MQ 5mg, a small-molecule NNMT inhibitor.
All three can appear in metabolic and mitochondrial research, but only MOTS-c is a peptide, and each works through different pathways. A good experiment starts with the specific molecule.
How Does Canadian Fulfillment Work?
Peptide King fulfills research orders within Canada.
Domestic Processing Follows the Site’s Standard Timeline
The site states that orders are typically processed within one to two business days, with standard shipping estimated at three to seven business days depending on province. Tracking is provided after dispatch.
How We Present MOTS-c 20mg at Peptide King
At Peptide King, we present MOTS-c as a research peptide with an unusual origin and a predominantly preclinical evidence base.
Its sequence is short and well defined, but the quality questions still matter.
Researchers should confirm the chemical form, separate HPLC purity from identity and peptide content, verify the lot, and keep animal findings separate from human claims.
For research-grade MOTS-c 20mg, the mitochondrial story is only the beginning of the quality check.