Single compound / Longevity

MOTS-c

MOTS-c is a mitochondrial-derived peptide studied in the lab for metabolic signalling. This research overview explains what the evidence shows, what it does not, and how to verify what is in the vial.

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Research classMitochondrial-Derived Peptide (MDP)

Library focusLongevity

Reference routeSubcutaneous

Review statePublished overview

In short

What MOTS-c is.

MOTS-c—mitochondrial open-reading-frame of the twelve-S rRNA type-c—is a 16-amino-acid mitochondrial-derived peptide first characterized by Lee and colleagues in Cell Metabolism in 2015.

Unlike most peptides, MOTS-c is encoded within the mitochondrial genome rather than the nuclear genome. Laboratory and animal studies have examined it as a signalling molecule involved in metabolic homeostasis and cellular adaptation to stress. It is not authorized by Health Canada for human use; Quantum supplies it strictly as a laboratory research material.

Format20mg / 40mg

Length16 amino acids

Research classMitochondrial-derived peptide

Review statePreclinical + recruiting trial

Class and mechanism.

Mechanism explains why a compound enters a research conversation. It does not establish that the compound is effective, appropriate or safe for a person.

How the pathway is discussed

The mechanism most often cited for MOTS-c is activation of the AMPK pathway, a central cellular energy sensor, together with interaction with the folate and one-carbon cycle. The foundational cell and animal work reported changes in folate-cycle intermediates, increased AICAR and AMPK activation.

Metabolic-stress signalling

Under metabolic stress, cell research describes MOTS-c translocating to the nucleus and influencing adaptive, stress-responsive gene expression in an AMPK-dependent manner. Animal models have examined glucose handling, skeletal-muscle metabolism and metabolic demand. The phrase “exercise-mimetic” is research shorthand for overlapping signalling pathways—not a demonstrated clinical effect.

Why researchers look at it.

These recurring themes come mainly from cell and animal models. They describe laboratory questions, not promised outcomes in people.

Exercise-related metabolic signallingPathways that overlap with cellular responses to physical activity have been examined in animal models.

Insulin sensitivity and metabolic flexibilityCell and rodent studies have investigated glucose handling and insulin response.

Skeletal-muscle energy regulationPreclinical work identifies skeletal muscle as an important target tissue and examines substrate use under metabolic demand.

Metabolic agingResearchers have studied MOTS-c signalling in age-related metabolic decline, without establishing a human anti-aging effect.

Evidence snapshot

Read the signal, and the gaps.

PRECLINICAL + RECRUITING PHASE 2A

The 2015 discovery paper established the molecule and its metabolic signalling in cells and mice. Later work described AMPK-dependent nuclear translocation during metabolic stress.

What is missing: completed, controlled human efficacy trials; an established human dose; characterized human pharmacokinetics; and long-term safety data. The currently registered Phase 2a study is recruiting and has no posted results.

Batch verificationCertificate of analysis

Open the published third-party batch report and match its COA number to the vial used in your research.

View MOTS-c COA

Lee et al., Cell Metabolism, 2015Foundational MOTS-c characterization · PubMed Kim et al., Cell Metabolism, 2018Metabolic-stress nuclear translocation · PubMed MOTS-MET Phase 2a studyRecruiting; no results posted · ClinicalTrials.gov Health Canada Drug Product DatabaseOfficial authorized-drug database

Purity & sourcing

Verify the vial, not the claim.

Because MOTS-c is sold as a research material, the relevant question is what a laboratory measured in the specific batch. Quantum publishes a per-batch certificate of analysis with the reported analytical method, purity result and COA number. Match that number to the vial rather than relying on a general purity claim; reported values can differ by batch.

Independent verification: every certificate of analysis carries a code you can check yourself at Peptide Test Canada, an independent third-party testing lab — you don't have to take our word for it.

The individual MOTS-c report and the complete lab-results archive remain available after a batch sells through.

View MOTS-c batch COA Browse all lab results

Safety review

Questions that come before a protocol.

The MOTS-c peptide is not authorized by Health Canada for human use and has no approved human indication. Limited human evidence means there is no established MOTS-c dosage and no characterized long-term side-effect profile. Figures circulating online are research-context references, not medical guidance.

Treat MOTS-c strictly as a laboratory research material, not as a medicine.

Human pharmacokinetics and long-term safety are not established.

Verify identity, reported purity and batch number against the published COA.

Use appropriate laboratory handling and safety practices. This page does not provide medical or dosing advice.

Protocol shape

More than a dose and a date.

The tracker organizes cycle dates around a small set of defined outcomes such as sleep, energy, exercise tolerance and clinician-directed markers.

Cadence3wk

Timing contextSubQ; often pre-activity.

Cycle shape4-6 weeks, then cycle off.

Cadence, timing and cycle are owner-draft previews. Dose, dilution, titration, inventory, check-ins and change history remain inside the tracker after purchase.

MOTS-c FAQ

Common questions.

Concise answers grounded in the current research record and Quantum’s research-use-only handling requirements.

What is the MOTS-c peptide?

MOTS-c is a 16-amino-acid mitochondrial-derived peptide first described in 2015 and studied in laboratory and animal research for metabolic signalling and cellular-stress adaptation. It is not authorized by Health Canada for human use and Quantum supplies it for laboratory research only.

How does MOTS-c work?

Research describes the MOTS-c peptide acting through the AMPK energy-sensing pathway and the folate cycle. Under metabolic stress, cell studies also report AMPK-dependent translocation to the nucleus and changes in stress-response gene expression. These are mechanistic observations, not demonstrated clinical effects.

Is MOTS-c legal or approved in Canada?

MOTS-c is not authorized by Health Canada for human use. Quantum supplies it only as a research-use-only laboratory material, not as a medicine.

What does MOTS-c research suggest?

Preclinical studies have examined insulin sensitivity, exercise-related signalling and metabolic aging. A Phase 2a human study is recruiting, but no results are posted; robust clinical evidence remains unavailable.

Is there an established MOTS-c dosage?

There is no established human dose for MOTS-c. Human pharmacokinetics and long-term safety are not established, and figures seen online are research-context references rather than medical guidance.

What purity should research-grade MOTS-c have?

Use a batch-specific report that identifies the analytical method, reported purity and COA number. Match that number to the vial rather than relying on a general purity claim; Quantum publishes the available MOTS-c report on its individual COA page.