The mitochondrial-derived peptide MOTS-c promotes metabolic homeostasis and reduces obesity and insulin resistance
Lee C, Zeng J, Drew BG, et al. Cell Metabolism 2015;21:443-454.
What it found
The paper that first described MOTS-c, a 16-amino-acid peptide encoded in mitochondrial DNA. In cells it slowed the folate cycle and purine production, which switched on the energy sensor AMPK. In mice it was followed by less weight gain and less insulin resistance on a high-fat diet, and less age-related insulin resistance.
Limitations
Mice and cells only. Short treatment periods. Most MOTS-c research since then comes from the same University of Southern California network.
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