Irisin vs MOTS-c
Both are proposed exercise mediators. Irisin is cleaved from the muscle protein FNDC5 and linked to fat browning; MOTS-c rises with exercise and acts on metabolism. Measurement of irisin in humans has been controversial.
Irisin
A myokine cleaved from the muscle membrane protein FNDC5 during exercise, studied for links between exercise, metabolism, bone and the brain.
BEST STUDIED FOR
Mitochondrial & longevity
Read the cited profile →
MOTS-c
MOTS-c is a mitochondrial-derived peptide encoded within the 12S rRNA region of mitochondrial DNA.
BEST STUDIED FOR
Metabolic and exercise-mimetic models
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Side by side · to buy
Price, purity and dispatch
| Compare | Irisin | MOTS-c10 mg · more sizes |
|---|---|---|
| Price | — | fromR429 |
| Cost per mg | — | R42.9 / mg |
| Purity (Janoshik) | — | 99.229%HPLC, published |
| Stock | — | Restocking |
| Dispatch | — | When restocked |
| Certificate | — | View CoA → |
| Literature | — | 4 papers → |
| Research focus | Mitochondrial & longevity | Metabolic and exercise-mimetic models |
| Read the cited profile | Notify me |
Prices are read live from the catalogue. Cost per mg is the vial price over its stated mg. Purity is shown only where the certificate is published. Every compound is supplied for laboratory research only.
SIDE BY SIDE
| Irisin | MOTS-c | |
|---|---|---|
| The key difference | Muscle-secreted myokine (FNDC5) | Mitochondrial-derived peptide |
| Class | Mitochondrial & longevity | Mitochondrial & longevity |
| Mechanism | Exercise induces PGC-1α, which raises FNDC5; its cleaved extracellular portion, irisin, circulates and is reported to promote white-fat browning, bone formation and, in mouse models, synaptic plasticity and memory. | MOTS-c is a mitochondrial-derived peptide encoded within the 12S rRNA region of mitochondrial DNA. |
| Status | Preclinical and observational research; measurement of circulating irisin has itself been debated. No approved irisin product. | Investigational mitochondrial-derived peptide; not an approved medicine. |
| Reported safety signals | No human interventional safety data. | Human data are limited to early-stage work; most findings are from rodent metabolic models. |
| A key study | Reviews FNDC5/irisin biology since 2012 and the open challenges in the field. (Endocr Rev 2021, PMID 33493316) | The discovery study reporting that MOTS-c activates AMPK and improved metabolic homeostasis and insulin sensitivity in mice. (Cell Metab 2015, PMID 25738459) |
WHEN TO RESEARCH WHICH
Both suit exercise-signalling research; human data for each are still developing. Both are discussed here strictly as research compounds; nothing on this page is medical advice or a dosing guide.
REFERENCES (PUBMED)
- [Irisin] Progress and Challenges in the Biology of FNDC5 and Irisin — Endocr Rev 2021. PMID 33493316
- [Irisin] Exercise-linked FNDC5/irisin rescues synaptic plasticity and memory defects in Alzheimer’s models — Nat Med 2019. PMID 30617325
- [Irisin] Exercise hormone irisin is a critical regulator of cognitive function — Nat Metab 2021. PMID 34417591
- [MOTS-c] The mitochondrial-derived peptide MOTS-c promotes metabolic homeostasis and reduces obesity and insulin resistance — Cell Metab 2015. PMID 25738459
- [MOTS-c] MOTS-c: A novel mitochondrial-derived peptide regulating muscle and fat metabolism — Free Radic Biol Med 2016. PMID 27216708
- [MOTS-c] MOTS-c: A promising mitochondrial-derived peptide for therapeutic exploitation — Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2023. PMID 36761202
FREQUENTLY ASKED
What is the difference between Irisin and MOTS-c?
Both are proposed exercise mediators. Irisin is cleaved from the muscle protein FNDC5 and linked to fat browning; MOTS-c rises with exercise and acts on metabolism. Measurement of irisin in humans has been controversial.
What is the regulatory status of Irisin and MOTS-c?
Irisin: Preclinical and observational research; measurement of circulating irisin has itself been debated. No approved irisin product. MOTS-c: Investigational mitochondrial-derived peptide; not an approved medicine.
What safety signals have been reported?
Irisin: No human interventional safety data. MOTS-c: Human data are limited to early-stage work; most findings are from rodent metabolic models.
Which studies is this comparison based on?
For Irisin: “Progress and Challenges in the Biology of FNDC5 and Irisin” (PMID 33493316); “Exercise-linked FNDC5/irisin rescues synaptic plasticity and memory defects in Alzheimer’s models” (PMID 30617325); “Exercise hormone irisin is a critical regulator of cognitive function” (PMID 34417591). For MOTS-c: “The mitochondrial-derived peptide MOTS-c promotes metabolic homeostasis and reduces obesity and insulin resistance” (PMID 25738459); “MOTS-c: A novel mitochondrial-derived peptide regulating muscle and fat metabolism” (PMID 27216708); “MOTS-c: A promising mitochondrial-derived peptide for therapeutic exploitation” (PMID 36761202).
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