MOTS-C

MOTS-c (Mitochondrial Open Reading Frame of the 12S rRNA-C) is a small peptide (16 amino acids) encoded in our mitochondrial DNA that acts as a crucial signaling molecule to manage energy and metabolism, especially under stress like exercise or aging. It helps muscles use sugar and fat efficiently, improves insulin sensitivity, boosts energy, and has potential benefits for age-related issues like diabetes, obesity, and bone health by activating the AMPK pathway, making it a key player in metabolic homeostasis and longevity.

Key Functions & Actions:
--Metabolic Regulation: Targets skeletal muscle to balance energy use, enhancing glucose uptake and fat burning (beta-oxidation).
--AMPK Activation: Triggers the AMPK pathway, a master regulator of cellular energy, by inhibiting the purine synthesis pathway, leading to increased energy production.
--Exercise Mimetic: Levels rise with exercise, helping muscles adapt and improve performance, strength, and endurance.
--Anti-Aging & Disease: Protects against diet-induced insulin resistance, obesity, and age-related decline; shows promise for diabetes, osteoporosis, and cardiovascular health.
--Nuclear Signaling: Moves from mitochondria to the nucleus to regulate gene expression in response to metabolic needs.

Why it Matters:
--Mitochondrial Signaling: It's part of a growing field of peptides from the mitochondrial genome that act as hormonal signals, linking mitochondria to overall cell function.
--Therapeutic Potential: Researchers are exploring MOTS-c for treating metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes, muscle wasting, and other age-related conditions, with studies showing positive results in animal models.