SS-31 (Elamipretide) vs MOTS-c: Mechanism, Specs & Reported Ranges Compared
Side-by-side comparison of SS-31 (Elamipretide) and MOTS-c — receptor mechanism, half-life, vial sizes, reconstitution and reported study arms.
By PX1 Research Team · August 4, 2026
SS-31 (Elamipretide) vs MOTS-c at a glance
| SS-31 (Elamipretide) | MOTS-c | |
|---|---|---|
| Class | mitochondria-targeting tetrapeptide (cardiolipin binder) | mitochondrial-derived peptide (16 aa) |
| Reported half-life | not well characterized | not well characterized |
| Vial sizes | 10 mg / 50 mg | 10 mg |
| Typical reconstitution | 50 mg + 5 mL = 10 mg/mL | 10 mg + 2 mL = 5 mg/mL |
| Research focus | cardiolipin and mitochondrial-bioenergetics research | mitochondrial metabolism and AMPK-pathway research |
Mechanistic difference
SS-31 binds cardiolipin at the inner mitochondrial membrane; MOTS-c is a mitochondrial-derived peptide acting through AMPK signalling. Both are mitochondrial, but at different levels of the system.
Reported study ranges side by side
SS-31 (Elamipretide)
| Study arm | Reported amount | Cadence |
|---|---|---|
| Standard arm | 5 mg | daily |
| Extended arm | 10 mg | every other day |
MOTS-c
| Study arm | Reported amount | Cadence |
|---|---|---|
| Standard arm | 5 mg | 2–3× weekly |
| Extended arm | 10 mg | weekly |
Practical handling differences
Both arrive lyophilized and shelf-stable. SS-31 (Elamipretide) is typically prepared at 50 mg + 5 mL = 10 mg/mL; MOTS-c at 10 mg + 2 mL = 5 mg/mL. Where half-lives differ, the literature's dosing cadence differs accordingly — longer-acting molecules are described weekly, shorter-acting ones daily or split.
Which one appears in which research context
SS-31 (Elamipretide) shows up primarily in cardiolipin and mitochondrial-bioenergetics research. MOTS-c is used in mitochondrial metabolism and AMPK-pathway research. They are not interchangeable substitutes; the receptor profile, not the marketing category, determines where each is used.
Documentation and sourcing
Both are supplied at ≥99% HPLC purity with lot-level COAs at /coa. Product pages: SS-31 (Elamipretide) · MOTS-c.
How PX1 documents every lot
Every PX1 lot ships with HPLC purity, LC-MS identity, residual solvent, moisture (Karl Fischer), sterility and endotoxin data. Lot documentation is published at /purity-reports, /endotoxin-reports and /coa. Synthesis, purification, lyophilization and vial fill happen in U.S. facilities — see /manufacturing-process.
Research use only. PX1 Research supplies compounds for laboratory and in-vitro research. Nothing here is medical advice, a dosing recommendation, or an offer for human or veterinary use. Figures cited are reported from published laboratory literature.