MOTS-C

What are the applications of MOTS-c?

Improving age-related diseases

Relationship with aging: 

MOTS-c is a mitochondria-derived peptide, and changes in its expression are closely related to the occurrence and development of aging and age-related diseases. As people age, the level of MOTS-c decreases. Studies have found that exercise has a significant impact on the expression of MOTS-c, and MOTS-c may mediate the anti-aging effect of exercise^[3].

Diabetes: 

MOTS-c can improve the body’s glucose and lipid metabolism, promote mitochondrial function in cells, and reduce the systemic chronic inflammatory response. For diabetic patients, the level of MOTS-c in plasma decreases. MOTS-c can regulate metabolic homeostasis by accelerating glucose uptake and improving insulin sensitivity, and it has a positive effect on preventing type 2 diabetes^[8].

Cardiovascular diseases: 

Cardiac structural remodeling and dysfunction are common complications of diabetes, often leading to serious cardiovascular events. MOTS-c can improve vascular endothelial function and is a new therapeutic target for cardiovascular complications of diabetes. Studies have shown that MOTS-c can repair myocardial mitochondrial damage in diabetic rats and protect cardiac systolic and diastolic functions^[9].

Osteoporosis: MOTS-c can promote the proliferation, differentiation, and mineralization of osteoblasts, inhibit osteoclast genesis, and regulate bone metabolism and bone remodeling. Exercise can effectively upregulate the expression of MOTS-c, but the specific mechanism by which exercise regulates MOTS-c in bones is still unclear ^[10].

Other diseases

Pulmonary fibrosis: 

Pulmonary fibrosis is a serious lung disease with a poor prognosis, and its etiology and pathogenesis are still unclear. The mitochondrial open reading frame of 12S rRNA-c (MOTS-c) is a peptide encoded by the mitochondrial genome, which has a positive effect on glucose and lipid metabolism, cellular and mitochondrial homeostasis, and the reduction of the systemic inflammatory response, and may be a potential exercise mimetic. This review aims to comprehensively analyze the existing literature on the potential role of MOTS-c in improving the development of pulmonary fibrosis and identify specific therapeutic targets for future treatment strategies^[11].

Duchenne muscular dystrophy: 

MOTS-c is a mitochondria-derived bioactive peptide with inherent muscle-targeting properties, which can increase the glycolytic flux and energy production capacity of dystrophic muscles in vitro and in vivo, thereby enhancing the uptake and activity of phosphonodiamidite morpholino oligomers (PMO) in mdx mice. Long-term repeated administration of MOTS-c and PMO can induce the expression of therapeutic levels of dystrophin in peripheral muscles, improve the muscle function and pathology of mdx mice, and has no obvious toxicity ^[12].

Obesity and muscle atrophy:

Obesity and type 2 diabetes are metabolic diseases often associated with sarcopenia and muscle dysfunction. MOTS-c, as a systemic hormone, participates in metabolic homeostasis. Studies have found that the plasma MOTS-c level is negatively correlated with the myostatin level in the human body. MOTS-c can prevent palmitic acid-induced atrophy of differentiated C2C12 myotubes and reduce the myostatin level in the plasma of diet-induced obese mice. By inhibiting myostatin, MOTS-c may be a potential treatment for skeletal muscle atrophy caused by insulin resistance and other muscle atrophy phenotypes including sarcopenia ^[5].

Risk of metabolic diseases in breast cancer survivors: 

Women who have received breast cancer treatment are at an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and obesity, and exercise can alleviate these side effects. MOTS-c has exercise-mimicking activity and has beneficial effects on metabolism and exercise capacity. Studies have found that a 16-week aerobic and resistance exercise intervention can increase the MOTS-c level in non-Hispanic breast cancer survivors, but has no significant effect on Hispanic breast cancer survivors. The increase in the MOTS-c level induced by exercise in non-Hispanic breast cancer survivors may be related to the improvement of insulin sensitivity, thereby reducing the risk of comorbidities ^[13].

In conclusion, as a 16-amino acid polypeptide encoded by the mitochondrial genome, MOTS-c plays a core role in the body’s metabolic regulation, stress defense, and disease prevention and treatment. It can significantly improve the homeostasis of glucose and lipid metabolism, enhance insulin sensitivity, and inhibit the expression of myostatin, effectively alleviating type 2 diabetes, obesity, and related muscle atrophy. At the same time, by regulating mitochondrial biogenesis and fusion, MOTS-c enhances the cell’s antioxidant capacity and inhibits the inflammatory response, showing therapeutic potential for chronic diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, osteoporosis, and pulmonary fibrosis. Particularly importantly, as a key mediator of mitochondria-nucleus communication, MOTS-c can simulate the effects of exercise and delay the aging process. Its level is negatively correlated with age-related diseases, and exogenous supplementation can reverse metabolic disorders and inhibit viral replication. It is known as the “mitochondrial hormone”.

Scientific Journal Author

Dieli-Conwright C M is a scholar with significant influence in the interdisciplinary field of oncology and exercise science. She currently serves as an associate professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School and the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and holds an associate faculty position in the Department of Nutrition at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. Dr. Dieli-Conwright’s research focuses on exploring the impact of exercise on cancer patients, especially how exercise can improve the physiological function, bone health, and quality of life of cancer patients. Her academic background covers multiple fields such as biology, kinesiology, public health, and biokinesiology. She completed her studies at institutions such as California State University, Northridge, and the University of Southern California and completed her postdoctoral research at City of Hope National Medical Center. Dr. Dieli-Conwright’s research achievements have been widely published in various academic journals, and her work involves multiple disciplines such as public health, nutrition, the cardiovascular system, and cardiology, providing important scientific evidence for the rehabilitation and health management of cancer patients. Dieli-Conwright C M is listed in the reference of citation [13].

▎Relevant Citations

[1] Zheng Y, Wei Z, Wang T. MOTS-c: A promising mitochondrial-derived peptide for therapeutic exploitation[J]. Frontiers in Endocrinology, 2023,14.DOI:10.3389/fendo.2023.1120533.

[2] Boyu Y. Exercise and MOTS-c increase mitochondrial-derived peptide MOTS-c expression and improve insulin resistance via AMPK/PGC-1α pathway[D]. Medical University, 2019.10.27652/d.cnki.gzyku.2019.001531.

[3] Mohtashami Z, Singh M K, Salimiaghdam N, et al. MOTS-c, the Most Recent Mitochondrial Derived Peptide in Human Aging and Age-Related Diseases[J]. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 2022,23(19).DOI:10.3390/ijms231911991.

[4] Gao Y, Wei X, Wei P, et al. MOTS-c Functionally Prevents Metabolic Disorders[J]. Metabolites, 2023,13(1).DOI:10.3390/metabo13010125.

[5] Kumagai H, Coelho A R, Wan J, et al. MOTS-c reduces myostatin and muscle atrophy signaling[J]. American Journal of Physiology-Endocrinology and Metabolism, 2021,320(4):E680-E690.DOI:10.1152/ajpendo.00275.2020.

[6] Garcia Benlloch S, Francisco R R, Rafael Blesa J, et al. MOTS-c promotes muscle differentiation in vitro[J]. Peptides, 2022,155.DOI:10.1016/j.peptides.2022.170840.

[7] Bhullar K S, Shang N, Kerek E, et al. Mitofusion is required for MOTS-c induced GLUT4 translocation[J]. Scientific Reports, 2021,11(1).DOI:10.1038/s41598-021-93735-2.

[8] Kong B S, Lee C, Cho Y M. Mitochondrial-Encoded Peptide MOTS-c, Diabetes, and Aging-Related Diseases[J]. Diabetes & Metabolism Journal, 2023,47(3):315-324.DOI:10.4093/dmj.2022.0333.

[9] Wang M, Wang G, Pang X, et al. MOTS-c repairs myocardial damage by inhibiting the CCN1/ERK1/2/EGR1 pathway in diabetic rats[J]. Frontiers in Nutrition, 2023,9.DOI:10.3389/fnut.2022.1060684.

[10] Yi X, Hu G, Yang Y, et al. Role of MOTS-c in the regulation of bone metabolism[J]. Frontiers in Physiology, 2023,14.DOI:10.3389/fphys.2023.1149120.

[11] Zhang Z, Chen D, Du K, et al. MOTS-c: A potential anti-pulmonary fibrosis factor derived by mitochondria[J]. Mitochondrion, 2023,71:76-82.DOI:10.1016/j.mito.2023.06.002.

[12] Ran N, Lin C, Leng L, et al. MOTS-c promotes phosphorodiamidate morpholino oligomer uptake and efficacy in dystrophic mice[J]. Embo Molecular Medicine, 2021,13(2).DOI:10.15252/emmm.202012993.

[13] Dieli-Conwright C M, Nathalie S, K N M, et al. Effect of aerobic and resistance exercise on the mitochondrial peptide MOTSc in Hispanic and non-Hispanic breast cancer survivors.[J]. Cancer Research, 2021,81(13).

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