MOTS-c vs SS-31
Both appear in mitochondrial research, but they work in opposite ways. MOTS-c is a natural 16-residue peptide encoded by mitochondrial DNA that acts as a signal from the mitochondrion to the rest of the cell. SS-31 is a synthetic four-residue peptide designed to enter mitochondria and bind cardiolipin.
Mitochondria-encoded signalling peptide
Choose MOTS-c if
- ✓ Your question is about mitochondria-to-nucleus signalling
- ✓ You are studying mitochondrial-derived peptides such as humanin
Side-by-side specification
| Compare | MOTS-c Mitochondria-encoded signalling peptide | SS-31 Mitochondria-targeted tetrapeptide |
|---|---|---|
| Class | Mitochondrial-derived peptide | Mitochondria-targeted peptide |
| Research area | Mitochondrial | Mitochondrial |
| Receptor targets | AMPK signalling (mechanism proposed, not settled) | Cardiolipin, inner mitochondrial membrane |
| Length | 16 amino acids | 4 amino acids (includes D-arginine and dimethyltyrosine) |
| Molecular mass | ≈ 2.17 kDa | ≈ 640 Da |
| Origin | Encoded in mitochondrial DNA, produced synthetically | Synthetic |
| Evidence level | 2/5 Mostly animal and in vitro | 4/5 Late-stage human trials |
| Regulatory status | Not approved | Approved in the US only (accelerated approval) |
| Nordapep from | Not listed | Not listed |
| Best price per mg | Not listed | Not listed |
| View MOTS-c at Nordapep → | View SS-31 at Nordapep → |
What separates them
The evidence is also very different. SS-31 (elamipretide) has an FDA accelerated approval for one rare condition and a mixed set of phase 3 results. MOTS-c has no human interventional trials and relies mainly on cell and mouse work.
Read the full guides for MOTS-c and SS-31, or add a third compound in the comparison tool.
FAQ
Which is naturally made by the body?
MOTS-c. SS-31 is entirely synthetic.
Is SS-31 approved?
As elamipretide it has FDA accelerated approval for one rare condition. See its compound page.
Are MOTS-c and SS-31 approved medicines?
MOTS-c: Not approved. SS-31: Approved in the US only (accelerated approval). Research-grade material of either is not a medicine and is supplied for in vitro research only.
Where can I buy MOTS-c and SS-31?
Nordapep lists compounds with a Certificate of Analysis matched to the batch reference. Check each compound page for current availability.
More comparisons
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.