MOTS-c
Mitochondrial-derived peptide. Interesting biology, minimal human data.
What it is
A peptide encoded in mitochondrial DNA rather than nuclear DNA — an unusual class discovered relatively recently.
What it does
Studied for roles in metabolic regulation, insulin sensitivity and exercise response in animal models.
Does it work?
The mitochondrial-peptide field is genuinely novel science, but human interventional data is very limited. Claims about exercise performance and metabolic reversal outrun the evidence.
Claims vs data
Each marketing claim, tagged by what the evidence actually supports.
| Improves exercise capacity | animal data only |
| Regulates metabolism via mitochondrial signalling | preclinical only |
| Reverses metabolic disease in humans | overreach |
Reference figures
Quoted from published reference material. These are not Peptuity recommendations.
The evidence, counted
Live counts from Europe PMC and ClinicalTrials.gov.
739 publications indexed, but only 7 randomised controlled trials and 5 registered interventional studies. Human evidence exists but is thin.
query: "MOTS-c" · checked 2026-08-07
Most-cited literature
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Lipid Peroxidation and Iron Metabolism: Two Corner Stones in the Homeostasis Control of Ferroptosis
Rochette L, Dogon G, Rigal E, Zeller M, Cottin Y, Vergely C. · Int J Mol Sci 2022 · 571 citations
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The mitochondrial-derived peptide MOTS-c promotes metabolic homeostasis and reduces obesity and insulin resistance
Lee C, Zeng J, Drew BG, Sallam T, Martin-Montalvo A, Wan J, Kim SJ, Me · Cell Metab 2015 · 552 citations
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Mitochondrial signal transduction
Picard M, Shirihai OS. · Cell Metab 2022 · 485 citations
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Targeting fibrosis, mechanisms and cilinical trials
Zhao M, Wang L, Wang M, Zhou S, Lu Y, Cui H, Racanelli AC, Zhang L, Ye · Signal Transduct Target Ther 2022 · 423 citations
Regulatory status
Formal, dated regulatory actions.
WADA — Prohibited List 2026
Prohibited in sport — WADA S4 (hormone and metabolic modulators)
US FDA — 503A compounding 2026-07
Advisory committee (PCAC) voted 7–5 in July 2026 to recommend inclusion on the 503A compounding list — non-binding, and against the written recommendation of FDA staff. Rulemaking pending; this is not an approval, and the earliest legally compounded product is estimated at late 2027.
Common questions
What makes MOTS-c unusual?
It is encoded in mitochondrial DNA rather than nuclear DNA — a recently discovered class of peptides that genuinely is novel science.
Does it improve exercise performance?
That claim rests on animal models. Human interventional data is very limited and does not yet support performance claims.
Is MOTS-c banned in sport?
Yes — WADA lists it as prohibited, and it has appeared in doping cases.
Did the FDA just approve MOTS-c?
No. In July 2026 an FDA advisory committee voted 7–5 to recommend adding it to the 503A compounding list — a non-binding recommendation made against FDA staff advice. Approval status is unchanged, and rulemaking could run into late 2027.
Related compounds
SS-31
Mitochondria-targeted peptide with genuine clinical development history.
NAD+
A coenzyme, not a peptide. Precursors have better human data than NAD+ itself.
5-Amino-1MQ
Small-molecule NNMT inhibitor, not a peptide. Preclinical only.
Triple Threat blend
NAD+, MOTS-c and 5-Amino-1MQ combined. Three unproven items in one vial.