NAD+ vs MOTS-c

At a glance

NAD+

The central redox coenzyme of cellular metabolism and the required substrate for sirtuin and PARP enzyme activity.

NAD+ is a small molecule rather than a peptide with the molecular formula C21H27N7O14P2 and a molecular weight of 663.43 g/mol, CAS registry number 53-84-9. The vial is sealed and lot-numbered, holds lyophilised powder, and is kept at −20°C protected from light until it ships.

NAD+ (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide) is a coenzyme present in every living cell and is not a peptide. It is in the catalog because it is stocked in the same lyophilised, research-grade form as the peptides.

The 3 papers cited below are 3 reviews. None is a controlled study of NAD+ in humans, and this page does not claim otherwise.

Cited on the NAD+ page

1. Covarrubias AJ et al. (2021). NAD(+) metabolism and its roles in cellular processes during ageing. Nat Rev Mol Cell Biol. PubMed 33353981 · SummaryReview of NAD+ metabolism in ageing: the enzymes that consume it, why levels fall, and the interventions studied.
2. Yoshino J et al. (2018). NAD(+) Intermediates: The Biology and Therapeutic Potential of NMN and NR. Cell Metab. PubMed 29249689 · SummaryReview of the NAD+ precursors NMN and NR: uptake, metabolism and the animal evidence.
3. Rajman L et al. (2018). Therapeutic Potential of NAD-Boosting Molecules: The In Vivo Evidence. Cell Metab. PubMed 29514064 · SummaryReview of the in vivo evidence for NAD-boosting compounds across tissues and models.

MOTS-c

A 16-amino-acid peptide encoded in mitochondrial DNA. Studied for its role as a signalling molecule between the mitochondria and the nucleus.

MOTS-c is a 16-residue peptide with the molecular formula C101H152N28O22S2 and a molecular weight of 2174.6 g/mol, CAS registry number 1627580-64-6. The vial is sealed and lot-numbered, holds lyophilised powder, and is kept at −20°C protected from light until it ships.

MOTS-c is a 16-amino-acid peptide encoded within mitochondrial DNA rather than the nuclear genome, which makes it unusual among research peptides. It was first described in 2015.

The 1 paper cited below is 1 animal study. None is a controlled study of MOTS-c in humans, and this page does not claim otherwise.

Cited on the MOTS-c page

1. Lee C et al. (2015). The mitochondrial-derived peptide MOTS-c promotes metabolic homeostasis and reduces obesity and insulin resistance. Cell Metab. PubMed 25738459 · SummaryMOTS-c, encoded in mitochondrial DNA, acted on skeletal muscle via AMPK and prevented diet-induced obesity and insulin resistance in mice.

Handling the two side by side

NAD+

• Lyophilised powder is stable for years at −20°C in the dark and tolerates days at ambient temperature in transit.

MOTS-c

• The sequence contains methionine, which oxidises in solution. Keep reconstituted material out of light and recap the vial promptly.
• The sequence contains tryptophan, which is light-sensitive. Store solutions in the dark.
• The sequence contains asparagine or glutamine, which deamidate slowly in neutral-to-alkaline solution. Refrigerate solutions and use them within the window on the storage guide.
• Lyophilised powder is stable for years at −20°C in the dark and tolerates days at ambient temperature in transit.

Where to go next

• NAD+ and MOTS-c: full specifications, stability notes, references and the certificate for the lot in stock.
• Cognitive and longevity peptide comparison: how the whole group compares.
• How to read a certificate of analysis and the certificates page.