MOTS-c Sequence
MOTS-c is a compact 16-amino-acid mitochondrial-derived peptide with the sequence:
MRWQEMGYIFYPRKLR
The corresponding residue sequence is:
Met-Arg-Trp-Gln-Glu-Met-Gly-Tyr-Ile-Phe-Tyr-Pro-Arg-Lys-Leu-Arg
PubChem identifies this sequence for MOTS-c and lists the compound under CID 146675088.
For research applications, sequence information provides a more precise molecular reference than the product name alone.
MOTS-c Molecular Characteristics
| Characteristic | Information |
|---|---|
| Sequence | MRWQEMGYIFYPRKLR |
| Length | 16 amino acids |
| CAS | 1627580-64-6 |
| PubChem CID | 146675088 |
| Formula | C101H152N28O22S2 |
| Molecular Weight | Approximately 2174.6 g/mol |
| Exact Mass | Approximately 2174.11 Da |
| Origin | Mitochondrial 12S rRNA-associated region |
PubChem reports a molecular formula of C101H152N28O22S2 and calculated molecular weight of 2174.6 g/mol.
Why Peptide Sequence Matters
Synthetic peptides are defined primarily by their amino-acid sequence and chemical form.
Two materials may carry similar names but differ because of:
- missing residues
- added residues
- deletion sequences
- truncated synthesis products
- oxidation
- stereochemical changes
- associated counterions
- other synthesis-related impurities
For this reason, confirming a peptide’s analytical identity involves more than confirming the label attached to the vial.
Mass spectrometry is widely used in synthetic-peptide characterization because an expected sequence gives researchers a predicted molecular identity against which measured data can be compared.
MOTS-c and the Mitochondrial Genome
The 2015 discovery paper identified MOTS-c as arising from a short open reading frame associated with mitochondrial 12S rRNA.
The reported open reading frame is 51 base pairs long and corresponds to the 16-residue peptide.
This genetic origin distinguishes MOTS-c from conventional peptides encoded by nuclear genes.
It also contributed to the growing scientific interest in previously underrecognized short open reading frames within mitochondrial genetic material.
What Is a Short Open Reading Frame?
An open reading frame, or ORF, is a sequence of genetic information that can potentially encode a peptide or protein.
Very short ORFs historically received less attention than conventional large protein-coding genes.
Advances in genomic and proteomic research have changed that perspective.
Researchers increasingly recognize that short genetic sequences can encode biologically meaningful microproteins and peptides.
MOTS-c provides one example of this emerging concept in mitochondrial biology.
Structural Features of MOTS-c
MOTS-c is small compared with conventional proteins but chemically complex enough that multiple structural characteristics can affect analytical behavior.
Its sequence includes:
- charged amino acids
- aromatic residues
- hydrophobic residues
- sulfur-containing methionine residues
- several arginine residues
Together, these characteristics influence how MOTS-c may behave under chromatographic and mass-spectrometric conditions.
For analytical work, this is one reason method conditions should be documented rather than assuming that a reported purity percentage is universally comparable across laboratories.
Molecular Weight and Mass Spectrometry
The PubChem molecular-weight value of approximately 2174.6 g/mol provides a reference point for the represented MOTS-c molecule.
In mass spectrometry, however, observed signals do not always appear simply as a single peak at that whole molecular-weight number.
Peptide MS data may involve:
- multiple charge states
- adducts
- isotopic distributions
- fragments
- different ionization conditions
Therefore, interpretation requires knowledge of the instrument method and expected molecular species.
MS is nevertheless particularly valuable for synthetic peptides because it can support molecular-identity evaluation.
MOTS-c Material Form
One important analytical issue is the exact form represented by a commercial research-material lot.
Public chemical databases may contain:
- free-peptide representations
- salt-associated descriptions
- supplier-specific naming
- counterion references
PubChem, for example, includes depositor-supplied synonyms referencing a MOTS-c trifluoroacetate-associated material while also reporting the peptide’s molecular formula and sequence.
This is why Nexigen should treat the specific Certificate of Analysis for the relevant lot as the controlling source for material-form information.
A database record should not automatically be assumed to describe every synthesized lot identically.
Sequence Identity vs. Purity
These terms should not be treated as synonyms.
Sequence identity
Addresses whether the material corresponds to the expected amino-acid sequence.
Molecular identity
Addresses whether analytical evidence is consistent with the expected molecular species.
Chromatographic purity
Describes the relative composition observed under a specified chromatographic method.
Quantity
Addresses how much target material is present.
A material can require more than one analytical method to answer these questions.
A 2023 discussion of peptide reference standards emphasized that peptide quality evaluation commonly integrates multiple analytical approaches for identity, purity and strength rather than relying on a single measurement.
Why HPLC Alone Does Not Define Molecular Identity
HPLC is extremely useful for peptide analysis because it separates sample components according to interactions with the chromatographic system.
However, a chromatographic peak does not independently prove what molecule produced that peak.
Method variables can include:
- column chemistry
- mobile phase
- gradient
- temperature
- flow rate
- detector wavelength
- sample preparation
Chromatographic characterization of peptides is therefore method-dependent.
Pairing chromatography with mass spectrometry provides additional molecular evidence.
Sequence Verification in Research Material
For a synthetic MOTS-c material, researchers should ideally be able to connect:
Product designation
to:
Sequence
to:
Expected molecular properties
to:
Available product information.
This creates a stronger identity chain than relying on a generic product label.
MOTS-c Molecular Reference
For Nexigen’s scientific-content architecture, the core entity relationship should remain:
MOTS-c
→ 16-amino-acid mitochondrial-derived peptide
→ MRWQEMGYIFYPRKLR
→ PubChem CID 146675088
→ CAS 1627580-64-6
→ approximately 2174.6 g/mol
→ available product information
This gives search engines and scientific users a clear, consistent representation of the molecular entity.
Selected Scientific References
PubChem CID 146675088 — MOTS-c molecular identity and sequence.
Lee C, et al. Original MOTS-c discovery study. Cell Metabolism. 2015. PMID: 25738459.
Prabhala BK, et al. Synthetic peptide characterization using mass spectrometry.
Related MOTS-c Resources
FOR LABORATORY RESEARCH ONLY. NOT FOR HUMAN OR VETERINARY USE OR CONSUMPTION.
Continue the MOTS-c Research Cluster
View MOTS-c 10 mg Research Peptide for the product-specific research-material page.
