For Research Use Only — Not for Human or Veterinary Use
MOTS-c Refill 40mg is supplied exclusively for in vitro and pre-clinical in vivo research use with the AbsoluteBioLab Reusable Metal Peptide Pen v3. This product has not been evaluated by the MHRA, FDA, or any other regulatory authority for safety or efficacy in humans or animals. Purchase confirms the buyer is a qualified researcher.
MOTS-c Refill 40mg — Mitochondria-Derived Peptide AMPK Activator Refill Cartridge for the AbsoluteBioLab Peptide Pen v3
The MOTS-c Refill 40mg is a pre-filled lyophilised refill cartridge containing research-grade MOTS-c (Mitochondrial Open Reading Frame of the 12S rRNA-c), a 16-amino-acid peptide encoded within the mitochondrial 12S rRNA gene. MOTS-c is one of a growing class of mitochondria-derived peptides (MDPs) that function as systemic metabolic regulators, acting through AMPK activation and folate cycle modulation to promote metabolic homeostasis, insulin sensitivity, and cellular stress resistance. This refill format is designed for direct use with the AbsoluteBioLab Reusable Metal Peptide Pen v3.
Each refill cartridge contains 40mg of lyophilised MOTS-c acetate salt, verified by RP-HPLC to a minimum purity of ≥99.0%, with molecular identity confirmed by ESI-MS. Endotoxin content is certified at <1.0 EU/mg by kinetic turbidimetric LAL assay. A batch-specific Certificate of Analysis is included with every order.
MOTS-c was first identified by Chang et al. (2015) at the University of Southern California as a novel mitochondrial-encoded peptide with potent metabolic regulatory activity. The peptide is translated from a small open reading frame within the mitochondrial 12S rRNA gene — a region previously considered non-coding — and is secreted from mitochondria and cells to act as a circulating hormone-like signal. Circulating MOTS-c levels decline with age and in metabolic disease states, and exogenous MOTS-c administration has been shown to improve insulin sensitivity, reduce adiposity, and extend lifespan in pre-clinical models, establishing it as a key mediator of mitochondrial-nuclear communication in metabolic regulation.
Compound Identity & Molecular Data
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Compound Name | MOTS-c (Mitochondrial Open Reading Frame of the 12S rRNA-c) |
| Sequence | MRWQEMGYIFYPRKLR (16 amino acids) |
| Molecular Formula | C₁₀₆H₁₇₁N₃₁O₂₄S₁ |
| Molecular Weight | 2,174.81 Da (free base, monoisotopic) |
| CAS Number | 1627580-64-6 |
| Salt Form | Acetate salt (lyophilised) |
| Quantity per Cartridge | 40 mg |
| Primary Targets | AMPK (AMP-activated protein kinase); folate cycle; AICAR pathway |
| Research Classification | Mitochondria-derived peptide; metabolic regulator; insulin sensitiser |
Analytical Release Testing — Refill Cartridge Specification
| Test | Method | Specification | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Purity | RP-HPLC (C18, UV 220 nm) | ≥99.0% | Acetonitrile/water gradient; TFA modifier |
| Identity | ESI-MS | Confirmed ±0.1 Da | Electrospray ionisation mass spectrometry |
| Endotoxin | Kinetic turbidimetric LAL | <1.0 EU/mg | USP <85> compliant method |
| Residual Moisture | Karl Fischer titration | <5.0% | Coulometric KF; lyophilisation quality indicator |
| Quantity per Cartridge | Gravimetric | Per label ± 5% | Lyophilised acetate salt; net peptide content |
| Compatible Device | — | AbsoluteBioLab Peptide Pen v3 | Use with 4mm 31G pen needles |
Mechanism of Action
MOTS-c exerts its primary metabolic effects through activation of AMPK (AMP-activated protein kinase), the master regulator of cellular energy homeostasis. MOTS-c activates AMPK by disrupting the folate cycle — specifically by inhibiting MTHFD1L (methylenetetrahydrofolate dehydrogenase 1-like), a mitochondrial enzyme in the folate one-carbon pathway — leading to accumulation of AICAR (5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide ribonucleotide), a natural AMPK activator. AICAR-mediated AMPK activation promotes glucose uptake, fatty acid oxidation, and mitochondrial biogenesis while inhibiting anabolic pathways including fatty acid synthesis and gluconeogenesis.
In skeletal muscle, MOTS-c-activated AMPK promotes GLUT4 translocation to the plasma membrane, increasing glucose uptake independently of insulin signalling. This insulin-independent glucose uptake mechanism is particularly relevant in models of insulin resistance, where MOTS-c has been shown to restore glucose homeostasis and improve insulin sensitivity in high-fat diet-fed rodents. MOTS-c also activates AMPK in adipose tissue, promoting lipolysis and reducing adiposity, and in the liver, where AMPK activation reduces hepatic glucose output and lipid accumulation.
Beyond AMPK activation, MOTS-c has been shown to modulate the nuclear stress response by translocating to the nucleus under conditions of metabolic stress, where it regulates the expression of nuclear genes involved in antioxidant defence, mitochondrial biogenesis, and metabolic adaptation. This nuclear translocation is mediated by a nuclear localisation signal within the MOTS-c sequence and represents a direct mechanism by which mitochondrial-derived peptides communicate metabolic stress to the nucleus — a form of retrograde mitochondrial-nuclear signalling that is increasingly recognised as a key regulatory mechanism in metabolic homeostasis.
Research Applications & Reconstitution
MOTS-c Refill 40mg is used in pre-clinical metabolic and ageing research. Key applications include studies of AMPK activation and its downstream effects on glucose metabolism, fatty acid oxidation, and mitochondrial biogenesis; investigations of insulin sensitivity and glucose homeostasis in rodent models of type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome; studies of age-related metabolic decline and the effects of MOTS-c on lifespan and healthspan in ageing models; and investigations of mitochondrial-nuclear communication and the role of mitochondria-derived peptides in metabolic regulation. The 40mg refill format provides a substantial quantity for research programmes with ongoing MOTS-c requirements.
This refill cartridge is supplied in lyophilised form and must be reconstituted before use. For use with the AbsoluteBioLab Peptide Pen v3, reconstitute with bacteriostatic water to the desired concentration. A typical reconstitution is 2ml bacteriostatic water per 10mg cartridge to yield a 5mg/ml solution. Allow the lyophilised cake to dissolve completely by gentle swirling — do not vortex. The reconstituted solution should be clear and colourless; discard if particulate matter or discolouration is observed. For in vitro applications, reconstitute in sterile PBS (pH 7.4) or cell culture-grade water.
Storage & Stability
| Condition | Temperature | Duration | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lyophilised cartridge (long-term) | −20°C | ≥24 months | Desiccated; protect from light and moisture |
| Lyophilised cartridge (short-term) | 2–8°C | Up to 4 weeks | Desiccated; suitable for active research use |
| Reconstituted in bacteriostatic water | 2–8°C | Up to 28 days | Benzyl alcohol preservative extends stability |
| Reconstituted aliquots (extended) | −80°C | Up to 12 months | Single-use aliquots; avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles |
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