ABOUT MOTS-C PEPTIDE
MOTS‐c is a peptide of 16 amino acids expressed by a mitochondrial gene. Research provides evidence that mitochondria play a key role in signaling and in energy production.
MOTS-c regulates metabolic functions throughout the body, including turning glucose into usable energy. Preliminary studies show evidence for improved control over blood sugar levels for those with type 2 diabetes and obesity.
Research also shows that skeletal muscle is the major target tissue of MOTS‐c. The skeletal muscle enhances insulin sensitivity and increases glucose uptake in myocytes (muscle cells) by activating the AMPK pathway and at the same time without increasing insulin. It is fair to call MOTS‐c an exercise‐mimetic, meaning it imitates exercise on the body. Exercise also increases muscle glucose uptake without stimulating insulin.
AMPK (AMP‐activated protein kinase), was identified in 1999 as the master switch for metabolism and the central regulator of both glucose and lipid (fat) metabolism. Since then it has been a target for therapeutic intervention against metabolic conditions such as type‐2 diabetes.
METABOLIC FLEXIBILITY
Metabolic flexibility is when our metabolism can efficiently switch and change when metabolic demand or supply is needed. These types of changes have trained our body to manage energy metabolism for optimal substrate (glucose, fatty acids, amino acids) storage and use during states of either food excess or deficiency, and periods of either rest or increased energy demand.
The human body knows how to use moderate amounts of carbohydrates, amino acids and fatty acids. Our western diet, however, is characterized by excess food supply. Metabolic dysfunction or metabolic inflexibility is caused by continuous intake of excess calories, processed foods, and physical inactivity.
A DYSFUNCTIONAL METABOLISM
In various models of obesity and diabetes we know that some metabolic pathways are dysfunctional. It is caused by competition between sugars, fats and proteins and what we call the 3 prongs of metabolic insensitivity.
- Distorted nutrient sensing. This means the cell's ability to recognize and respond to substrates such as sugars or fats isn’t working. Insulin resistance is an example, it’s when cells in your muscles, fat, and liver don't respond well to insulin and can't use glucose from your blood for energy.
- Blunted substrate switching. Example: skeletal muscle being unable to switch from carbohydrates to fats for energy needs.
- Impaired energy homeostasis. The inability of the body to regulate food intake (energy inflow) and energy expenditure (energy outflow).
A FUNCTIONAL METABOLISM
How MOTS-c Helps
MOTS-c in Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis is a multi-factor and age-related metabolic disease. Bone mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) are the progenitor cells of osteoblasts and adipocytes and play an essential role in the process of bone formation.
AMPK can stimulate the proliferation, differentiation and mineralization of osteoblasts, which exerts an important role in the cellular functions of osteoblasts. Osteoblasts are cells that make bone. Bone mass is maintained by a balance between the activity of osteoblasts that form bone and other cells called osteoclasts that break it down.
Studies show that BMSC’s treated with MOTS-c upregulated expression levels of ALP, Bglap, and Runx2. This resulted in the formation of mineralized nodules, indicating the osteogenic capacity of BMSC’s regulated by MOTS-c. In simple nonscientific terms,
MOTS-c promotes cell differentiation of BMSCs to osteoblasts = bone formation.
MOTS-C BENEFITS
- Promotes fatty acid metabolism in the liver
- Promotes metabolic flexibility and homeostasis
- Helps regulate mitochondrial energy
- Protects against age and diet dependent insulin resistance and obesity
- Helps with weight loss
- Promotes resistance to metabolic stress
- Improves exercise capacity
- Helps prevent osteoporosis
- Improves glucose regulation
- Promotes cell differentiation to form osteoblasts
MOTS-c, as a mitochondrial signaling peptide, acts on the muscle, activates AMPK, and helps maintain of metabolic flexibility and homeostasis. It also regulates cellular and systemic glucose metabolism and restores insulin sensitivity. It has also been found to promote cell differentiation which results in bone formation.
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RESEARCH
Changhan L, Jennifer Z, Brian D, Tamer S, Alejandro M, Junxiang W, Su-Jeong K, Hemal M, Andrea L. H, Rafael de C, Pinchas C. The Mitochondrial-Derived Peptide MOTS-c Promotes Metabolic Homeostasis and Reduces Obesity and Insulin Resistance. Cell Metabolism ARTICLE| VOLUME 21, ISSUE 3, P443-454, MARCH 03, 2015.
Changhan L, Kyung Hwa Kim, Pinchas C. MOTS-c: A novel mitochondrial-derived peptide regulating muscle and fat metabolism. Free Radical Biology and Medicine Volume 100, November 2016, Pages 182-187.
Kumagai, H, Coelho, AR, Wan, J, Mehta, HH, Yen, K, Huang, A et al.. MOTS-c reduces myostatin and muscle atrophy signaling. Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab. 2021;320 (4):E680-E690. doi: 10.1152/ajpendo.00275.2020. PubMed PMID:33554779
Reynolds, JC, Lai, RW, Woodhead, JST, Joly, JH, Mitchell, CJ, Cameron-Smith, D et al.. MOTS-c is an exercise-induced mitochondrial-encoded regulator of age-dependent physical decline and muscle homeostasis. Nat Commun. 2021;12 (1):470. doi: 10.1038/s41467-020-20790-0. PubMed PMID:33473109 PubMed Central PMC7817689
Su‐Jeong Kim, Brendan Miller, Hemal H. Mehta, Jialin Xiao, Junxiang Wan, Thalida E. Arpawong, Kelvin Yen, Pinchas Cohen. The mitochondrial‐derived peptide MOTS‐c is a regulator of plasma metabolites and enhances insulin sensitivity. Physiologic Reports 10 July 2019. https://doi.org/10.14814/phy2.14171
Su‐Jeong Kim, Jialin Xiao, Junxiang Wan, Pinchas Cohen, Kelvin Yen. Mitochondrially derived peptides as novel regulators of metabolism. Journal of Physiology Volume 595, Issue21 1 November 2017 Pages 6613-6621.
Manjunath R. Mitochondrial Derived Peptide MOTSc promotes hepatic fatty acid metabolism and regulation by metformin. Source: Qatar Foundation Annual Research Conference Proceedings, Qatar Foundation Annual Research Conference Proceedings Volume 2018 Issue 2, Mar 2018, Volume 2018, HBPD728 DOI: https://doi.org/10.5339/qfarc.2018.HBPD728.
B.-T. HU, W.-Z. CHEN. MOTS-c improves osteoporosis by promoting osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells via TGF-β/Smad pathway. European Review for Medical and Pharmacological Sciences 2018; 22: 7156-7163.
Kim sJ, Xiao J, Wan J, cohen P, Yen K. Mitochondrial- ly derived peptides as novel regulators of metabo- lism. ming W, lu g, Xin s, huanYu l, Yinghao J, XiaoYing l, chengming X, banJun R, li W, zifan l. Mitochondria related peptide MOTS-c suppresses ovariectomy-induced bone loss via AMPK activation. Bio- chem Biophys Res Commun 2016; 476: 412-419.
Shah m, Kola b, baTaVelJic a, aRneTT TR, ViolleT b, sa- Xon l, KoRboniTs m, chenu c. Amp-activated protein kinase (AMPK) activation regulates in vitro bone formation and bone mass. Bone 2010; 47: 309-319.
Kasai T, banDoW K, suzuKi h, chiba n, KaKimoTo K, ohnishi T, KaWamoTo s, nagaoKa e, maTsuguchi T. Osteoblast differentiation is functionally associated with decreased amp kinase activity. J Cell Physiol 2009; 221: 740-749.
Lee, C. et al. (2015) The mitochondrial-derived peptide MOTS-c promotes metabolic homeostasis and reduces obesity and insulin resistance. Cell Metab. 21, 443–454
Zarse, K. and Ristow, M. (2015) A mitochondrially encoded hormone ameliorates obesity and insulin resistance. Cell Metab. 21, 355–356.
Olson KA, Schell JC, Rutter J. Pyruvate and metabolic flexibility: illuminating a path toward selective cancer therapies. Trends Biochem Sci. 2016;41(3):219–230.
Speakman JR. Evolutionary perspectives on the obesity epidemic: adaptive, maladaptive, and neutral viewpoints. Annu Rev Nutr. 2013;33(1):289–317.
López-Otín C, Galluzzi L, Freije JMP, Madeo F, Kroemer G. Metabolic control of longevity. Cell. 2016;166(4):802–821.
Muoio DM. Metabolic inflexibility: when mitochondrial indecision leads to gridlock. Cell. 2014;159(6):1253–1262.