A mitochondrially encoded hormone ameliorates obesity and insulin resistance.

Cell metabolism201546 citationsPMID: 25738453

View on PubMed DOI: 10.1016/j.cmet.2015.02.013

Plain Language Summary

This commentary discusses the discovery of MOTS-c, a mitochondrially encoded peptide that promotes biosynthesis of the AMPK activator AICAR. By activating AMPK, MOTS-c offers an unexpected therapeutic option for preventing type 2 diabetes and potentially delaying aging processes.

Abstract

MOTS-c, a mitochondrially encoded open reading frame-derived peptide recently discovered by Lee et al. 2015 (this issue of Cell Metabolism) promotes biosynthesis of an endogenous AMP analog, AICAR. As AICAR activates AMPK, the discovery of MOTS-c offers an unexpected therapeutic option to be exploited toward the prevention of type 2 diabetes and delaying of the aging processes.

Authors

Zarse, Kim; Ristow, Michael