MOTS-c

Also called mitochondrial open reading frame of the 12S rRNA-c, MOTSc, MOTS-c acetate^{1, 15}

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MOTS-c is a chain of 16 amino acids encoded in mitochondrial DNA, not in the cell nucleus. In a 2015 mouse study it prevented diet-induced weight gain and insulin resistance.¹⁰ FDA found no human study of MOTS-c itself.¹ A modified version, CB4211, was tested for 4 weeks in 20 people with fatty liver; liver fat fell about as much on placebo.¹² Since October 28, 2026, HHS has said it won't act against licensed pharmacies that compound it as an injection with a prescription. WADA bans it at all times.^{7, 15}

See every peptide's status in the regulatory tracker

At a glance

Where to get it

MoveWell sells no peptides. All options and prices

Molecular structure

A straight chain of 16 amino acids with no ring between residues. Two methionines carry its only sulfur atoms.

The two methionines (Met 1 and Met 6)

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MMetRArgWTrpQGlnEGluMMetGGlyYTyrIIleFPheYTyrPProRArgKLysLLeuRArg

Sequence

MRWQEMGYIFYPRKLR

Length

16 amino acids

Formula

C101H152N28O22S2

Weight

2174.6 g/mol

Acetate

C101H152N28O22S2 · CH3COOH, 2234.6 g/mol

CAS

1627580-64-6

FDA UNII

A5CV6JFB78 (free base)

Drawn from the sequence FDA lists. Formula and weight are for the free base; acetate values are from FDA and HHS.^{1, 7}

What it is

Most of the body's proteins are coded in the cell nucleus. MOTS-c is one of a few peptides coded in mitochondria, the cell's power plants. FDA describes it as "encoded by a short open reading frame (sORF) within the mitochondrial 12S rRNA."¹ It was first described in mice in a 2015 paper.¹⁰

The body makes small amounts on its own. In 10 young men, levels in muscle rose about 12-fold after a hard cycling session, and blood levels rose about 1.5-fold before returning to normal within 4 hours.¹¹ That is the body's own MOTS-c, not an injected dose. Commercial antibody (ELISA) blood tests may be unreliable: an anti-doping lab's mass-spectrometry method couldn't confirm the levels ELISA studies had reported.¹⁸

What's sold is synthetic. FDA called both the free base and the acetate not well-characterized, and the acetate certificate it reviewed lacked impurity and endotoxin testing.¹

How it works

The proposed mechanism comes from mouse and cell work.¹⁰

• Muscle is the main target. The 2015 study found skeletal muscle was where it acted most.¹⁰
• Folate cycle and AMPK. It slows the folate cycle and purine building, which switches on AMPK, a sensor of the cell's energy state.¹⁰
• Why sport cares. WADA names it as an example of an AMPK activator, a banned class of metabolic modulators.¹⁵

FDA says it is unknown whether injected MOTS-c reaches active levels in people.¹

Evidence map

Each claimed use is graded separately, because the evidence differs by use.

Scale: 5 FDA-approved, 4 strong human, 3 limited human, 2 animal or lab only, 1 anecdotal

Key studies

FDA found no clinical study or human exposure data for MOTS-c.¹ CB4211 is "a novel and improved analog of MOTS-c," not the same molecule, and we found its results only in a company press release.¹² Bone and vessel studies are cited as FDA summarized them. Even a provider that sells it calls the evidence "preclinical and observational."²²

By goal and route

Pick your goal to see what the evidence supports.

Sources: HHS policy terms,^{7, 8} FDA briefing,¹ CohBar,¹² Superpower pricing.¹⁹

How it's used

No human study has set a dose for MOTS-c. We don't give one.

The nominator proposed injection under the skin.¹ FDA found no study of how the body absorbs or clears it, and no half-life.¹ In mice it was injected into the belly.¹ The CB4211 analog was given as a daily injection under the skin for 4 weeks.¹² We report these as information, not instruction.

Side effects and who should avoid it

• Immune reactions. FDA is "concerned about potential for immunogenicity when administered by an injection."¹ A provider's consent form warns antibodies could interfere with the body's own MOTS-c.²¹
• Impurities. The acetate certificate FDA reviewed lacked impurity and endotoxin testing.¹
• No safety studies. No single-dose, repeat-dose, genetic, reproductive or cancer toxicity studies exist.¹
• Reported side effects. None in FDA's adverse event database.¹ USADA cites reports of increased heart rate, palpitations, injection-site irritation, insomnia and fever.¹⁷ In the analog trial, injection-site reactions were the only common effect.¹²
• Blood sugar. Because it acts on glucose handling, low blood sugar is a listed risk, especially with diabetes drugs.²¹
• Athletes. Prohibited at all times under WADA S4.4.1. No therapeutic use exemption is possible, and a prescription doesn't change that.^{15, 17, 21}
• Who is excluded. One provider excludes people under 18, anyone pregnant, breastfeeding or trying to conceive, and anyone with a history of cancer.²¹

FDA noted approved treatments exist for obesity and osteoporosis.¹ See a clinician first.

Compared with

Sources: FDA briefing,¹ CohBar,¹² ClinicalTrials.gov,^{13, 14} HHS Appendix B.⁷

Stacks

We found no study of MOTS-c combined with any other peptide. Any blend falls outside the HHS policy, which allows one active ingredient per product.^{7, 8}

Myths vs evidence

All options and prices

MoveWell sells no peptides. Options inside the HHS policy first. Prices checked November 1, 2026

Licensed compounding, with a prescription

Superpower's product page doesn't name the salt form. Its consent form says the HHS policy applies only to MOTS-c acetate.²¹ Compounded drugs are generally not covered by insurance.

Research use only vials

The HHS policy excludes research chemicals, so we don't list sellers.⁸ In August 2026 FDA warned five peptide sellers that a "research use only" label doesn't excuse products clearly meant for people.²⁴ USADA says MOTS-c can't legally be sold as a dietary supplement.¹⁷

Legal status history

Newest first.

1. Current statusNov 1, 2026HHS says it won't take action against licensed 503A pharmacies, federal facilities and licensed physicians that compound single-ingredient MOTS-c acetate for injection under the skin or into muscle, with a prescription. Not FDA-approved. Banned in sport.^{7, 8, 15}
2. Next · no dateA formal rule to add MOTS-c to the 503A bulks list. A phase 2a trial is due to finish around Feb 2027.^{8, 14}
3. Oct 28, 2026HHS enforcement discretion policy for MOTS-c and five other peptides. Not approval, and interim until a final rule.⁸
4. Oct 6, 2026WADA publishes its 2027 list, in force Jan 1, 2027. No change reported to the AMPK class that names MOTS-c.²³
5. Jul 23, 2026FDA's compounding advisory committee votes in favor, for the free base and acetate, reported as 7–5–2 (one firm reports 8–6–1). The uses reviewed were obesity and osteoporosis. The vote is advisory.^{2, 3, 4, 5}
6. May 11, 2026FDA staff review recommends against listing: poorly characterized, unknown compounding use, no human data, and approved treatments exist.¹
7. Apr 22, 2026Moved off Category 2 to FDA's "nominated but withdrawn" list. That did not make it legal to compound.⁹
8. 2025Named on WADA's Prohibited List as an example of an AMPK activator.¹⁶
9. Sep 2023Placed in Category 2, citing immune risk by injection and impurity concerns.^{7, 9}
10. 2021CohBar completes its CB4211 analog trial.^{12, 13}

The July vote is reported as 7–5–2 by three sources;^{3, 4, 5} one firm reports 8–6–1.⁶ FDA minutes weren't posted when we checked on November 1, 2026.

What the HHS policy covers

Sources: HHS Appendix B,⁷ BakerHostetler.⁸ See every peptide's status in the regulatory tracker.

FAQ

Related guides

References