Comparison

MOTS-c vs Semax

Function

While MOTS-c improves insulin sensitivity, enhances glycolysis, reduces oxidative stress, and shows protective effects in models of metabolic syndrome, aging, and ischemia-reperfusion injury8135146, Semax is used clinically in Russia for ischemic stroke and cognitive disorders; in models it improves learning, protects dopaminergic neurons, and modulates stress responses without significant endocrine ACTH-like effects166174.

Mechanism

While MOTS-c works as a 16-amino-acid mitochondrial-derived peptide that translocates to the nucleus under metabolic stress and regulates glucose and lipid metabolism largely via activation of AMPK and modulation of mTOR and folate-cycle–linked pathways854140146, Semax is a synthetic heptapeptide, Met-Glu-His-Phe-Pro-Gly-Pro (MEHFPGP), that is an analog of ACTH(4–10) with a Pro-Gly-Pro extension and exerts neurotrophic and neuroprotective actions partly via upregulation of BDNF and modulation of dopaminergic and glutamatergic systems40162165174.

Length and Sequence

MOTS-c is 16 amino acids long, whereas Semax is shorter as it has a length of 7 amino acids. MOTS-c is made up of a sequence of Methionine, Arginine, Tryptophan, Glutamine, Glutamic acid, Methionine, Glycine, Tyrosine, Isoleucine, Phenylalanine, Tyrosine, Proline, Arginine, Lysine, Leucine, Arginine. Semax is made up of a sequence of Methionine, Glutamic acid, Histidine, Phenylalanine, Proline, Glycine, Proline.

Receptor

MOTS-c

No dedicated cell-surface receptor has been definitively identified; signaling is primarily described via intracellular AMPK and related metabolic pathways8135146

Semax

Targets are not fully defined; interacts with melanocortin-related pathways and inhibits certain peptidases, but no single dominant receptor has been established174

Organism or Origin

MOTS-c

Human mitochondrial peptide encoded in the 12S rRNA gene region54146

Semax

Synthetic analog of human ACTH(4–10) derived from POMC1748190

Gene

MOTS-c

MT-RNR1

Semax

POMC

Related articles

No related articles are linked to these peptides yet.

Sources

8Mitochondrial-encoded peptide MOTS-c prevents pancreatic islet ..., https://www.nature.com/articles/s12276-025-01521-1
54MOTS-c - Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MOTS-c
135MOTS-c Promotes Glycolysis via AMPK-HIF-1α-PFKFB3 ... - PubMed, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40035775/
146MOTS-c: A promising mitochondrial-derived peptide for therapeutic ..., https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9905433/
40Semax ACTH(4-10) Analog Peptide ≥99% | VivePeptides, https://vivepeptides.com/product/semax/
81Proopiomelanocortin (POMC), the ACTH/melanocortin precursor, is ..., https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2253185/
90alpha-Melanocyte stimulating hormone: production and degradation, https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3936413/
162Semax 0.1% 10 mg | SEMAX POLAND, https://semaxpolska.com/en/semax-01-10-mg/
166The neuroprotective effects of Semax in conditions ..., https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15341218/
170Semax, https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Met-Glu-His-Phe-Pro-Gly-Pro
171Semax peptide - NovoPro Bioscience Inc., https://www.novoprolabs.com/p/acth4-10-317047.html
174Semax - Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Semax