Cellular Research · Popular

MOTS-C — Research Peptide

Mitochondrial-derived peptide encoded within the 12S rRNA gene, studied for AMPK activation and mitochondrial-to-nuclear signaling.

$39.99 · 10mg

Third-party tested · Freedom Diagnostics

View COA · Third-party COA · Lot EP-7739K

  • Ships from within the U.S.
  • Pay by card, Apple Pay, Venmo, Cash App or crypto
  • Stored frozen at −10 °F until ship day
  • Batch ID and QR code on the label

For in-vitro laboratory research use only. Not for human consumption.

MOTS-c mitochondrial-derived peptide 10 mg lyophilized research vial with Excalibur label

Specifications

MOTS-C at a glance.

Size
10mg
Form
Lyophilized powder
Storage
−20°C
Purity
99.52% (HPLC-UV · Freedom Diagnostics COA)
Molecular weight
2,174.64 g/mol
Molecular formula
C₁₀₁H₁₅₂N₂₈O₂₂S₂
Certificate of Analysis
Third-party tested (Lot EP-7739K · Freedom Diagnostics)
Category
Cellular Research
Sequence
Met-Arg-Trp-Gln-Glu-Met-Gly-Tyr-Ile-Phe-Tyr-Pro-Arg-Lys-Leu-Arg

Third-party COA · Lot EP-7739K

Documented by a third-party lab.

Issued by Freedom Diagnostics Testing, an independent lab, with Excalibur Peptides as the client. It covers lot EP-7739K. The PDF here is the same report the lab hosts.

COA database

Independent verification

Verify on Freedom Diagnostics.

This MOTS-C Certificate of Analysis is hosted on Freedom Diagnostics Testing's own site. Search the code below on the lab's lookup page, or open the lab-hosted PDF. Values are shown as printed on the certificate.

Search code: Exca2610050657

Lab
Freedom Diagnostics Testing
Lot
EP-7739K
Sample
MOTS-c 10mg
Received
10/5/2026
Reported
10/6/2026
Purity (HPLC-UV)
99.52%
Identity (LC-MS)
Confirmed
Net content
11.91 mg

View lab-hosted COA (PDF on coas.freedomdiagnosticstesting.com)

Previous reports

Previous batch — not the batch currently shipping

Third-party reports for earlier batches of MOTS-C, kept for transparency. Values as printed on each report.

  • Received
    06/09/2026
    Lab
    Freedom Diagnostics Testing
    Lot (cap colour)
    Black Cap
    HPLC purity
    99.60%

    Open report

What's in the box

One vial, part by part.

10mg of MOTS-C, supplied as a lyophilized powder in a sealed glass vial.

On the label

Clearly labeled.

  • Printed label

    Product name, size and a research-use-only statement.

  • Batch ID

    A batch number is printed on every label.

  • QR code

    Printed on the label, next to the batch ID.

  • Research-use line

    “For research and laboratory use only — not for human consumption” runs along the bottom of the label.

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Research

Research background.

Chemical identity, proposed mechanism and published preclinical literature, for laboratory reference.

Mechanism of action

MOTS-c (Mitochondrial Open Reading Frame of the 12S rRNA Type-C) is a 16-amino-acid mitochondrial-derived peptide encoded within the 12S rRNA gene. Published cell and animal research has examined its activation of AMPK (AMP-activated protein kinase), its interaction with folate and methionine metabolism, and its translocation to the nucleus, where it has been studied as a mitochondria-to-nucleus signaling molecule.

Research observations

  • AMPK activation examined in published cell-culture studies
  • Folate and methionine metabolism interactions examined in vitro
  • Nuclear translocation under cellular stress examined in cell models
  • Mitochondria-to-nucleus (retrograde) signaling studied in cellular research
  • Two methionine residues make oxidation monitoring by HPLC and MS part of routine analysis

Key research & publications

  1. Lee et al. (2015) — Identified MOTS-c as a peptide encoded in the mitochondrial 12S rRNA region and examined its effects on AMPK signaling in cell and mouse models.
  2. Kim et al. (2018) — Examined MOTS-c translocation to the nucleus under cellular stress and its interaction with nuclear gene expression.
  3. Cobb et al. (2016) — Characterized the small humanin-like peptides, a related family of mitochondrial-derived peptides.

Further reading

A longer overview of published MOTS-c literature on this mitochondrial-derived peptide, in our 2026 guide.

Read: MOTS-c research overview (2026)

Frequently asked questions.

What is MOTS-C?

MOTS-c is a 16-amino-acid mitochondrial-derived peptide encoded within the 12S rRNA gene, with the sequence Met-Arg-Trp-Gln-Glu-Met-Gly-Tyr-Ile-Phe-Tyr-Pro-Arg-Lys-Leu-Arg. Published cell and animal research has examined its activation of AMPK and its role as a mitochondria-to-nucleus signaling molecule.

Where can I buy MOTS-C for research?

Excalibur Peptides sells MOTS-C on this page as a 10mg vial of lyophilized powder, for in-vitro laboratory research only. Orders ship from Austin, Texas, to addresses within the United States, and the product's third-party Certificate of Analysis is published in our COA database. Buyers must be 21 or older and confirm research-use-only status at checkout.

How is MOTS-C tested, and where is its COA?

MOTS-C is third-party tested by Freedom Diagnostics Testing: purity by HPLC and identity by LC-MS. The Certificate of Analysis is published in our COA database, and the report can be looked up on the lab's own site with search code Exca2610050657.

How should MOTS-C be stored in the lab?

Keep lyophilized MOTS-C sealed at −20 °C, protected from light and moisture, as listed on this page. Let the vial reach room temperature before opening so moisture does not condense on the powder, and avoid repeated freeze–thaw cycles.

How fast does MOTS-C ship?

MOTS-C ships from Austin, Texas. Orders placed before 2 PM EST on a business day ship the same day, and delivery within the United States typically takes 2–4 business days. A tracking number is emailed when the order ships.

What payment methods can I use to buy MOTS-C?

We accept credit and debit cards, Apple Pay, Venmo, Cash App and cryptocurrency. Prices are in U.S. dollars.

Is MOTS-C approved by the FDA?

No. The MOTS-C supplied by Excalibur Peptides is not approved by the FDA for human or veterinary use. It is sold only for in-vitro laboratory research and identification purposes and is not for human consumption.

For research and laboratory use only. Not for human consumption.

All products sold on this website are intended for in-vitro laboratory research and identification purposes only. They are not for human or veterinary use and are not for human consumption.

All information is provided for educational and research purposes. Excalibur Peptides does not condone or promote the use of any product for any purpose other than legitimate scientific research and compound identification.