mitochondrial-derived peptide MOTS-c; mitochondrial open reading frame of the 12S rRNA-c (MT-RNR1)

Function

• regulates insulin sensitivity & metabolic homeostasis
• inhibits the folate cycle, thus reducing de novo purine biosynthesis leading to accumulation of the de novo purine synthesis intermediate 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide (AICAR) & activation of metabolic regulator 5'-AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK)
• protects against age-dependent & diet-induced insulin resistance as well as diet-induced obesity

Compartment

• secreted

Expression

• detected in plasma (at protein level)

Laboratory

• MT-RNR1 gene mutation

Notes

• MT-RNR1 is biologically active but is the product of a mitochondrial gene
• usage of the mitochondrial genetic code yields tandem start & stop codons so translation must occur in the cytoplasm
• mechanisms allowing production & secretion of the peptide remain unclear

More general terms

• secreted protein
• mitochondrial protein

Database

• UniProt: http://www.uniprot.org/uniprot/A0A0C5B5G6.html