ArticleeLife2026
MOTS-c is a mitochondrial-encoded interferon-linked host defense peptide.
Michelle C Rice, Maria Imun, Sang Wun Jung, Chan Yoon Park, Jessica S Kim, Rochelle W Lai, Casey R Barr, Jyung Mean Son, Kathleen Tor, Emmeline Kim and 4 more
Abstract read
In one paragraphArticle in eLife, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
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4 · The recordCorrections and comments
5 · Who and what moneyAuthors and funding
14 authors.
Maria Imun *Leonard Davis School of Gerontology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, United States.
Sang Wun Jung *Leonard Davis School of Gerontology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, United States.
Jessica S KimLeonard Davis School of Gerontology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, United States.
Rochelle W LaiLeonard Davis School of Gerontology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, United States.
Casey R BarrUSC Earth Sciences, Los Angeles, United States.
Jyung Mean SonLeonard Davis School of Gerontology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, United States.
Kathleen TorLeonard Davis School of Gerontology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, United States.
Emmeline KimLeonard Davis School of Gerontology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, United States.
Ryan J LuLeonard Davis School of Gerontology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, United States.
Ilana CohenLeonard Davis School of Gerontology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, United States.
Funding
USC Geroscience Training in the Biology of AgingT32AG052374 · NIA · UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA · PI Sean P CURRAN · 2016 to 2026
$5.3MDeciphering hormonal regulation of neutrophil biologyR01AG076433 · NIA · UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA · PI BENAYOUN, BERENICE ANATH · 2022 to 2025
$2.1MNovel Regulators of Aging Metabolism Encoded in the Mitochondrial GenomeR01AG052558 · NIA · UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA · PI LEE, CHANGHAN · 2016 to 2020
$1.8MRegulation of Cellular Proliferation by Novel Mitochondrial-Encoded Tumor SuppressorsR01GM136837 · NIGMS · UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA · PI LEE, CHANGHAN · 2020 to 2023
$1.5MMitochondrial-Encoded Immunity in AgingR56AG069955 · NIA · UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA · PI LEE, CHANGHAN · 2022 to 2022
$338kMitochondrial-encoded immunity in restoring macrophage homeostasis under age-related metabolic stressF31AG082606 · NIA · UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA · PI RICE, MICHELLE C · 2023 to 2024
$97kNIA NIH HHS F31 AG082606NIA NIH HHS R01 AG052558NIA NIH HHS R01 AG076433NIA NIH HHS R56 AG069955NIA NIH HHS T32 AG052374NIGMS NIH HHS R01 GM136837Pew Charitable Trusts Pew Biomedical Scholar
6 · The paper itselfAbstract
The mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) can trigger immune responses and directly entrap pathogens, but it is not known to encode active immune factors. The immune system is traditionally thought to be exclusively nuclear-encoded. Here, we report the identification of a host defense peptide (HDP) encoded in the human mitochondrial genome that presumably derives from the primordial proto-mitochondrial bacteria. We demonstrate that MOTS-c (mitochondrial open reading frame from the 12 S rRNA type-c) is a mitochondrial-encoded amphipathic and cationic peptide with direct antibacterial and immunomodulatory functions, consistent with the peptide chemistry and functions of known HDPs. MOTS-c targeted
Indexed as
Antimicrobial Cationic PeptidesAntimicrobial PeptidesMitochondriaMitochondrial ProteinsAnimalsDisease Models, AnimalDNA, MitochondrialEscherichia coliHumansInterferon-gammaMacrophagesMethicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureusMiceMicropeptidesMonocytesAntimicrobial Cationic PeptidesAntimicrobial PeptidesDNA, MitochondrialInterferon-gammaMicropeptidesMitochondrial ProteinsMOTS-c peptide, humancell biologyhost defense peptidehumanimmunologyinflammationmacrophagemicroproteinmitochondriamitochondrial immunityMOTS-cmouse
Identifiers
PMID42611943
PMCPMC13485304
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