DOCUMENTED BY BATCHMOTS-C at a glance
MOTS-C is a mitochondrial-derived peptide that is catalogued for laboratory research reference. It is registered under CAS number 1627580-64-6 and appears in PubChem as compound CID 146675088. In the published literature it is described as a 16-residue peptide encoded by a short open reading frame within the mitochondrial 12S ribosomal RNA gene, which is the origin of the “mitochondrial-derived peptide” (MDP) classification. This profile summarises the compound’s chemical identity, its measurable physical constants, and the analytical methods used to confirm identity and estimate purity for a research specimen. MOTS-C is supplied here strictly as a reference material for in-vitro study.
Amino acid sequence and primary structure
MOTS-C is a linear peptide of sixteen amino-acid residues. The one-letter sequence is MRWQEMGYIFYPRKLR, which expands in three-letter notation to Met-Arg-Trp-Gln-Glu-Met-Gly-Tyr-Ile-Phe-Tyr-Pro-Arg-Lys-Leu-Arg. Two methionine residues sit at positions 1 and 6, and these account for the two sulfur atoms recorded in the molecular formula, a detail that is relevant when interpreting mass-spectrometry data. The chain also carries a single Gly residue at position 7 and a proline at position 12, both of which influence backbone geometry. Three basic arginine residues plus one lysine give the peptide a net positive charge at neutral pH, which is a useful property when a separation method is chosen for identity work.
Molecular formula and physical description
The molecular formula of MOTS-C is C101H152N28O22S2, corresponding to an average molecular weight of approximately 2174.62 g/mol (PubChem CID 146675088). As a synthetic reference material it is typically presented as a lyophilised (freeze-dried) white to off-white solid. For laboratory handling, the dry solid is generally kept cold and shielded from light and moisture; solution preparation is carried out with an appropriate laboratory solvent such as sterile water. Repeated freezing and thawing of a prepared solution is usually avoided in analytical work, and a cryoprotectant is sometimes added when a solution is stored frozen. These are storage and handling notes for a research specimen only.
Identity and purity testing by LC-MS and HRMS
Confirming that a labelled vial actually contains MOTS-C, and estimating how pure that material is, are two separate analytical questions answered by two complementary techniques. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) separates the components of a sample; the peptide’s positive charge and moderate hydrophobicity make reversed-phase HPLC a common choice, and the area of the main peak relative to all peaks gives an estimated purity figure. Identity is then confirmed by mass spectrometry. Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) couples the separation step directly to a mass detector, while high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) measures the intact mass with enough resolving power to match the observed value against the theoretical mass calculated from C101H152N28O22S2. A measured mass consistent with roughly 2174.6, together with the expected fragmentation pattern, is what confirms the 16-residue sequence rather than a truncated or modified chain.
Every batch supplied here is characterised for identity and purity at the USC Alfred E. Mann Multi-Omics Mass Spectrometry Core, a university laboratory, using LC-MS and HRMS. The resulting Certificate of Analysis is published rather than kept on request, so the analytical basis for the label is verifiable.
Position within the mitochondrial research-peptide class
MOTS-C sits within a small group of mitochondrial-derived peptides that also includes humanin and the SHLP series. What distinguishes this class from nuclear-encoded research peptides is the coding origin: these sequences are read from open reading frames inside mitochondrial ribosomal RNA genes rather than from nuclear DNA. For a laboratory sourcing mitochondrial research peptides, MOTS-C is the most frequently referenced member and serves as a useful analytical benchmark because its short, well-defined 16-residue sequence and distinctive two-sulfur formula produce a clean, reproducible mass-spectrometry signature.
How to read a Certificate of Analysis
A Certificate of Analysis (COA) for a peptide reference material generally reports several fields. The identity section states the observed mass from LC-MS or HRMS and compares it to the theoretical mass; for MOTS-C this should sit near 2174.6 and match the C101H152N28O22S2 formula. The purity section reports the HPLC main-peak percentage. A batch or lot number ties the certificate to a specific production run, and the analytical method and instrument are named so the result can be traced. Reviewing the COA against the figures in this profile is the practical way to confirm that a specimen matches its label. Further certificates are collected in the COA library.
For laboratory research use only. Not for human or veterinary use.
Frequently asked questions
What is the amino acid sequence of MOTS-C?
MOTS-C is a 16-residue peptide with the one-letter sequence MRWQEMGYIFYPRKLR, which in three-letter notation is Met-Arg-Trp-Gln-Glu-Met-Gly-Tyr-Ile-Phe-Tyr-Pro-Arg-Lys-Leu-Arg. It contains two methionine residues, which account for the two sulfur atoms in its molecular formula.
What is the molecular weight and formula of MOTS-C?
MOTS-C has the molecular formula C101H152N28O22S2 and an average molecular weight of approximately 2174.62 g/mol, as recorded under PubChem CID 146675088. Its CAS number is 1627580-64-6.
What is a mitochondrial-derived peptide?
A mitochondrial-derived peptide (MDP) is a short peptide encoded by an open reading frame within a mitochondrial gene rather than nuclear DNA. MOTS-C is encoded within the mitochondrial 12S ribosomal RNA gene, which places it in the same research class as humanin and the SHLP peptides.
How is the identity and purity of a MOTS-C research specimen confirmed?
Identity is confirmed by mass spectrometry (LC-MS and HRMS), where the measured intact mass near 2174.6 is matched to the theoretical mass from the formula C101H152N28O22S2. Purity is estimated by HPLC as the main-peak percentage. Each batch supplied here is tested at the USC Alfred E. Mann Multi-Omics Mass Spectrometry Core with a published Certificate of Analysis.
What does MOTS-C look like as a reference material?
MOTS-C is typically supplied as a lyophilised (freeze-dried) white to off-white solid. It is generally stored cold, dry, and away from light, and prepared into solution with an appropriate laboratory solvent such as sterile water when needed for analytical work.