MOTS-C in Australia

Mitochondrial-derived peptide encoded in the 12S rRNA gene. MOTS-c runs to 16 amino acids and is encoded within the mitochondrial genome rather than the nuclear one, placing it among a small group of mitochondrial-derived peptides uncovered during the 2010s. Functioning as a message sent from the mitochondria to the rest of the cell, it is studied in the contexts of metabolic regulation and exercise physiology.

AMPK activation: energy sensing driven by folate-cycle inhibition. Insulin sensitivity: glucose disposal in obese rodents. Exercise physiology: adaptation of endurance and muscle. Ageing research: the age-linked fall in circulating levels. In Lee et al. (Cell Metab 2015), MOTS-c held off diet-induced obesity and insulin resistance in mice. Reynolds et al. (Nat Commun 2021) found it lifted physical performance across young, middle-aged and old mice. The human evidence is observational, pointing to exercise-driven increases.

When given MOTS-c, mice on a high-fat diet avoided obesity and insulin resistance; aged mice showed better physical performance; and in humans, circulating MOTS-c climbs after exercise. No intervention trial in humans has reported.

There are no human safety data. In rodent studies, no toxicity was reported at the doses applied.

In the published MOTS-C research, the amounts used were Compiles varying doses (figures not given in the abstract), Compiles varying schedules (not given in the abstract) in review of preclinical metabolic disease studies (Fang T et al. (2025)). These are the figures each study reports for its own model, listed in full in the dosage table on this page with links to PubMed. Peptide Aus supplies MOTS-C for in-vitro research and does not give dosing guidance for people.

Each is examined for metabolic flexibility, MOTS-c by way of AMPK and 5-Amino-1MQ by way of NNMT.

SS-31 safeguards mitochondrial membranes, whereas MOTS-c acts as a signal from the mitochondria to the nucleus.

A further mitochondrial-derived peptide, humanin is examined for cell survival rather than metabolism.

Assay development is well served by the 10mg vial, while the 20mg and 40mg options bring down the cost per milligram for longer rodent or cell protocols.

With bacteriostatic water added slowly down the inside wall of the vial, then swirled gently. Each vial size lists its suggested volume, and the calculator converts volume to concentration.

Lyophilised: −20 °C, sealed, away from light and moisture. Reconstituted: 2–8 °C, used within 8–12 weeks, never frozen.

In Australia, MOTS-C holds no Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) registration as a medicine and carries no approval for use in humans or animals. The material is offered by Peptide Aus strictly as a research reagent intended for in-vitro laboratory work. The Poisons Standard and the Therapeutic Goods Act set the rules for supplying any substance for human use in this country, and lawful use of the material rests with the buyer. Anyone seeking treatment should consult a doctor.

Directly from Peptide Aus, from Australian stock, in 3 vial sizes from $94.99 (10mg) to $159.99 (40mg). Prices are AUD and GST inclusive. Paid orders before 2pm AEST/AEDT dispatch the same business day, tracked.

It depends on the vial size: 10mg takes 2 mL, 20mg takes 2 mL, 40mg takes 3 mL. That gives 5 mg/mL, 10 mg/mL, 13.3 mg/mL respectively. The reconstitution steps on this page and the calculator cover the rest.