MOTS-c

MOTS-c is a peptide encoded within the mitochondrial genome, a finding that reshaped understanding of mitochondria beyond their role as energy producers. Its ability to translocate to the cell nucleus and directly influence gene expression has positioned it as a novel subject in metabolic research. Literature has examined its role in activating AMPK, a key regulator of cellular energy balance, as well as its effects on insulin sensitivity, glucose uptake, and metabolic flexibility. Research has also explored its relationship to exercise response and age-related metabolic changes, making MOTS-c one of the more consequential emerging peptides in mitochondrial biology.