A class of small, bioactive peptide molecules, often encoded within the mitochondrial DNA, that act as signaling agents to stimulate the formation of new mitochondria within cells. These peptides, which include molecules like MOTS-c and Humanin, are central to metabolic health, cellular energy production, and resistance to age-related stress. Their therapeutic use aims to reverse mitochondrial dysfunction, a hallmark of aging.
Origin
This specialized field emerged from the discovery of small open reading frames (sORFs) within the mitochondrial genome that encode for these unique regulatory peptides. Their function as metabolic signal transducers, communicating mitochondrial status to the wider cell, established a new frontier in cellular bioenergetics and anti-aging medicine.
Mechanism
The peptides function by promoting the expression of key transcriptional co-activators, such as PGC-1α, which is the master regulator of mitochondrial biogenesis. Molecules like MOTS-c also act as exercise mimetics, enhancing glucose metabolism and insulin sensitivity, particularly in skeletal muscle. This dual mechanism increases the cell’s energy-producing capacity and improves its resilience against oxidative stress.
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