MOTS-c vs Humanin
Both are mitochondrial-derived peptides, encoded by short open reading frames inside the mitochondrial genome. MOTS-c comes from the 12S rRNA gene and is linked to AMPK signalling. Humanin comes from the 16S rRNA gene and is studied for cytoprotective effects through partners such as BAX and IGFBP-3.
Mitochondria-encoded signalling peptide
Choose MOTS-c if
- ✓ Your question is about metabolic stress or AMPK signalling
- ✓ You are studying exercise-related mitochondrial signals
Mitochondrial-derived peptide
Choose Humanin if
- ✓ Your question is about apoptosis or cytoprotection
- ✓ You are studying the first mitochondrial-derived peptide described
Side-by-side specification
| Compare | MOTS-c Mitochondria-encoded signalling peptide | Humanin Mitochondrial-derived peptide |
|---|---|---|
| Class | Mitochondrial-derived peptide | Mitochondrial-derived peptide |
| Research area | Mitochondrial | Mitochondrial |
| Receptor targets | AMPK signalling (mechanism proposed, not settled) | Intracellular and cell-surface binding partners (BAX, IGFBP-3, receptor complexes) |
| Length | 16 amino acids | 24 amino acids (21 in the mitochondrial form) |
| Molecular mass | ≈ 2.17 kDa | ≈ 2.69 kDa |
| Origin | Encoded in mitochondrial DNA, produced synthetically | Encoded in the mitochondrial genome (MT-RNR2); research material is synthetic |
| Evidence level | 2/5 Mostly animal and in vitro | 2/5 Mostly animal and in vitro |
| Regulatory status | Not approved | Not approved |
| Nordapep from | — | — |
| Best price per mg | — | — |
| Browse Nordapep → | Browse Nordapep → |
What separates them
Both are rated 2 on our evidence scale and neither is approved. For research, MOTS-c is the metabolic-signalling example and humanin the cell-survival example of the same peptide family.
Read the full guides for MOTS-c and Humanin, or add a third compound in the comparison tool.
FAQ
What do MOTS-c and humanin have in common?
Both are encoded in mitochondrial DNA rather than nuclear DNA, and both are short: 16 and 24 amino acids.
Which was discovered first?
Humanin, in 2001. MOTS-c was described in 2015.
Are MOTS-c and Humanin approved medicines?
MOTS-c: Not approved. Humanin: Not approved. Research-grade material of either is not a medicine and is supplied for in vitro research only.
Where can I buy MOTS-c and Humanin?
Nordapep lists compounds with a Certificate of Analysis matched to the batch reference. Check each compound page for current availability.
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Where to buy
Why we send researchers to Nordapep
Comparing compounds is only half the job. The other half is knowing the vial contains what the label says. Nordapep publishes batch documentation for every compound it sells.
Browse the Nordapep catalogue →Each batch reference on the label matches its CoA, so you can check what is in the vial.
Enter the batch reference from your vial into Nordapep's batch-verification tool.
Purity is reported by RP-HPLC, the standard method for peptides of this size.
Bundled stacks for common comparisons, plus tiered pricing for volume orders.