MOTS-c

Metabolic & weight Research compound (not approved for human use)

Mitochondrial-derived peptide · also known as MOTS-C, Mitochondrial open reading frame of the 12S rRNA-c

For reference only — not medical advice. Figures are commonly reported values compiled from published sources and may be wrong or out of date. Many compounds listed are not approved for human use. Talk to a licensed clinician before using any compound.

MOTS-c was identified in 2015 as a short peptide produced from the mitochondrial 12S rRNA gene. In mouse work it improved insulin sensitivity and resisted diet-induced obesity, and levels in muscle rise with exercise. Human data are largely observational, measuring the natural peptide, and there are no published human trials establishing a dose of injected MOTS-c.

Commonly reported dosing (10 mg vial)

Reconstituted with 3 mL → 3.333 mg/mL.

Also sold in 5 mg, 20 mg, 40 mg vials.

Phase	Dose	Volume	U-100 units
Starting	200 mcg	0.06 mL	6
Standard	600 mcg	0.18 mL	18
Higher	1 mg	0.3 mL	30

Frequency: Once daily, subcutaneous (community-reported) · Half-life: Short; limited published pharmacokinetic data

Open in calculator

Commonly reported dose escalation

Weeks	Dose	Volume	U-100 units
Weeks 1-2	200 mcg	0.06 mL	6
Weeks 3-4	400 mcg	0.12 mL	12
Weeks 5-6	600 mcg	0.18 mL	18
Weeks 7-8	800 mcg	0.24 mL	24
Week 9+	1 mg	0.3 mL	30

Higher steps may need a larger vial or more than one draw. Escalation schedules vary; dosing decisions belong to a licensed clinician.

Commonly reported reconstitution steps

Vials are usually brought to room temperature (about 15-20 minutes) first.
3 mL of bacteriostatic water is added slowly down the inside wall of the 10 mg vial.
The vial is swirled gently until clear, not shaken.
This gives 3.33 mg/mL. Mixed vials are typically labeled with the date and refrigerated.

Storage

Before mixing: Lyophilized vials are commonly stored frozen (around -20 °C) and protected from light.

After mixing: Reconstituted solution is commonly kept refrigerated (2-8 °C), protected from light, and not frozen. Formulation-specific discard guidance is commonly followed.

How it works

In cells it inhibits the folate cycle and purine biosynthesis, which leads to AMPK activation, and it can move to the nucleus under metabolic stress to influence gene expression.

Researched for

Studied in mice for insulin sensitivity, diet-induced obesity and age-related metabolic decline.
Investigated as an exercise-induced factor, with endogenous levels reported to rise with exercise in muscle and plasma.

Notes

Dose figures are community-reported once-daily steps from 200 mcg to 1 mg (10, 20 and 40 mg vial charts); the 5 mg vial chart uses a higher 500 to 2000 mcg range.
Published human work measures the natural peptide, so the injectable schedules are not validated by clinical trials.
Vial strength changes the concentration and syringe volume, not the evidence for any amount.