A complete reference on the compounds used to study cellular bioenergetics — mitochondrial-derived signaling peptides, cardiolipin-targeting protectants, and the NAD+/AMPK energy-sensing network — with mechanisms, specifications, key literature, and per-lot-verified research reagents.
Every cellular process that requires energy ultimately draws on the mitochondrion, where the electron-transport chain converts substrate into ATP. The efficiency and integrity of that machinery is the central variable in bioenergetics research.
At the heart of the inner mitochondrial membrane sits cardiolipin, a unique phospholipid that organizes the electron-transport-chain complexes. When cardiolipin is disrupted, electron transport becomes leaky — energy output falls and reactive-oxygen-species production rises. Compounds that protect this architecture, such as MTP, are key tools for studying mitochondrial integrity.[2] A second research theme is mitochondrial signaling: the discovery that mitochondria encode their own peptides, like MOTS-c, reframed them as active communicators rather than passive power plants.[1]
Research framing only · No therapeutic, dosing, or human-use claims
02The NAD+ / AMPK Network
Cells sense their energy status through a small number of master regulators. AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is the principal energy sensor: when the cellular energy charge falls, AMPK activates pathways that restore it, including mitochondrial biogenesis and fatty-acid oxidation.[4]
Running in parallel, NAD+ couples energy metabolism to the sirtuin enzymes that regulate mitochondrial function and stress resistance. Because both AMPK and the NAD+/sirtuin axis are activated by exercise, compounds that engage them — such as AICAR (an AMPK activator) and tools that raise cellular NAD+ — are frequently described as exercise mimetics in research models.[4][3]
03Mitochondrial-Derived Peptides
One of the most significant recent shifts in the field is the recognition that the mitochondrial genome encodes bioactive peptides that signal to the nucleus and the rest of the body.
Adipocyte energy metabolism; cellular NAD+/SAM pools
MOTS-cMitochondrial-Derived Peptide
MOTS-c is a peptide encoded within the mitochondrial genome — one of a small family of mitochondrial-derived peptides whose discovery established that mitochondria actively signal to the rest of the cell.[1]
What researchers study
MOTS-c is investigated for its role in metabolic homeostasis and insulin sensitivity through AMPK-related pathways, and as an exercise-mimetic signal that translocates to the nucleus to influence stress-response gene expression in model systems.[1]
Specifications
Class
Mitochondrial-derived peptide
Molecular weight
2,174.4 g/mol
Form
Lyophilized powder
Purity
≥99% (HPLC, MS-verified)
Available
10 mg
MTPCardiolipin-Targeting
MTP (elamipretide) is a cell-permeable tetrapeptide that concentrates in the inner mitochondrial membrane and binds cardiolipin, the phospholipid that organizes the electron-transport chain.[2]
What researchers study
By stabilizing cardiolipin, MTP is studied for its capacity to preserve ATP production and reduce reactive-oxygen-species leakage in models of mitochondrial dysfunction — making it a central tool in bioenergetics research.[2]
Specifications
Class
Cardiolipin-targeting tetrapeptide
Molecular weight
639.79 g/mol
Form
Lyophilized powder
Purity
≥99% (HPLC, MS-verified)
Available
5 · 10 · 20 mg
NAD+NAD+ Coenzyme
NAD+ is an essential redox coenzyme that shuttles electrons through energy metabolism and serves as the required substrate for the sirtuin and PARP enzyme families. Cellular NAD+ availability is a key determinant of mitochondrial function.[3]
What researchers study
NAD+ is studied as the molecular link between energy metabolism and sirtuin signaling, with research programs probing how nucleotide availability shapes mitochondrial biogenesis, redox balance, and stress resistance.[3]
Specifications
Class
Pyridine nucleotide coenzyme
Molecular weight
663.43 g/mol
Form
Lyophilized powder
Purity
≥99% (HPLC, MS-verified)
Available
100 · 500 · 1000 mg
AICARAMPK Activator
AICAR is a small-molecule AMP analog that activates AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), the cell's master energy sensor. By mimicking a low-energy state, it switches on the pathways AMPK controls.[4]
What researchers study
AICAR is a classic tool for studying AMPK signaling and its downstream effects — fatty-acid oxidation, glucose uptake, and mitochondrial biogenesis — and is one of the original compounds described as an exercise mimetic in endurance-research models.[4]
Specifications
Class
AMPK activator (AMP analog)
Molecular weight
258.23 g/mol
Form
Lyophilized powder
Purity
≥99% (HPLC, MS-verified)
Available
50 mg
5-Amino-1MQNNMT Inhibitor
5-Amino-1MQ is a small-molecule inhibitor of nicotinamide N-methyltransferase (NNMT), an enzyme highly expressed in adipose tissue that consumes methyl groups and influences cellular nicotinamide pools.[5]
What researchers study
By inhibiting NNMT, 5-Amino-1MQ is studied for its effects on adipocyte energy metabolism and cellular NAD+/SAM availability, making it a tool for investigating metabolic flexibility and the link between methylation balance and energy expenditure.[5]
Specifications
Class
Small-molecule NNMT inhibitor
Molecular weight
159.21 g/mol
Form
Lyophilized powder
Purity
≥99% (HPLC, MS-verified)
Available
5 · 10 · 50 mg
09Supporting Compounds
Beyond the core bioenergetic tools, several antioxidant and endocrine compounds appear together in whole-body energy-metabolism research.
A practical view of the core reagents in this guide — class, vial range, and entry price — to help researchers scope a study budget. Larger vials carry a lower per-milligram cost.
Compound
Class
Vial range
From
Best value vial
MOTS-c
Mito-derived peptide
10 mg
$94.99
$9.50/mg
MTP
Cardiolipin-targeting
5–20 mg
$89.99
20 mg — $279.99 ($14.00/mg)
NAD+
NAD+ coenzyme
100–1000 mg
$24.99
1000 mg — $159.99 ($0.16/mg)
AICAR
AMPK activator
50 mg
$74.99
$1.50/mg
5-Amino-1MQ
NNMT inhibitor
5–50 mg
$49.99
50 mg — $199.99 ($4.00/mg)
11Handling, Reconstitution & Storage
These are general handling notes for lyophilized peptide reagents in a laboratory setting — not use instructions of any kind.
Storage
Lyophilized (freeze-dried) peptides are most stable as a dry powder. Stored at −4°F and protected from light and moisture, they remain stable for extended periods. Vials should be allowed to reach room temperature before opening to avoid condensation on the powder.
Reconstitution
For laboratory work, peptides are typically reconstituted with bacteriostatic or sterile water added slowly against the vial wall, then swirled — not shaken — until fully dissolved. Reconstituted peptide is kept refrigerated at 36–46°F and used within the window established by the researcher's protocol.
Handling notes for laboratory reagents only · Not directions for human or veterinary use
12Purity & Verification
Every Ethos Bio lot is analyzed by reverse-phase HPLC and independently confirmed by mass spectrometry through our third-party partner, Janoshik Analytical. A signed Certificate of Analysis documenting identity and ≥99% purity is provided for every lot and mirrored to your researcher account.
Every lot, independently verified
Identity by mass spectrometry, purity by HPLC. The COA shipped with your order reflects your specific lot.
They are short peptides encoded within the mitochondrial genome itself — MOTS-c is the best-studied example. Their discovery showed that mitochondria actively signal to the nucleus and other tissues, not just produce ATP.
What does it mean that a compound is an "exercise mimetic"?
In research, an exercise mimetic is a compound that activates some of the same energy-sensing pathways (such as AMPK or the NAD+/sirtuin axis) that physical activity engages. AICAR and MOTS-c are studied in this context. The term describes a research model, not a human claim.
Why is cardiolipin important to mitochondrial research?
Cardiolipin is a phospholipid in the inner mitochondrial membrane that organizes the electron-transport chain. When it is disrupted, energy production falls and oxidative stress rises — which is why cardiolipin-targeting tools like MTP are studied for mitochondrial integrity.
Are these compounds energy supplements?
No. Every compound listed is supplied strictly as a research reagent for laboratory and animal-model study. Nothing here is for human consumption, and no energy, performance, or therapeutic claims are made.
How is purity verified?
Every Ethos Bio lot is analyzed by reverse-phase HPLC and independently confirmed by mass spectrometry, with a per-lot Certificate of Analysis documenting identity and ≥99% purity.
14References
Lee C, Zeng J, Drew BG, et al. The mitochondrial-derived peptide MOTS-c promotes metabolic homeostasis and reduces obesity and insulin resistance. Cell Metabolism. 2015;21(3):443–454.
Szeto HH. First-in-class cardiolipin-protective compound as a therapeutic agent to restore mitochondrial bioenergetics. British Journal of Pharmacology. 2014;171(8):2029–2050.
Verdin E. NAD+ in aging, metabolism, and neurodegeneration. Science. 2015;350(6265):1208–1213.
Narkar VA, Downes M, Yu RT, et al. AMPK and PPARδ agonists are exercise mimetics. Cell. 2008;134(3):405–415.
Kraus D, Yang Q, Kong D, et al. Nicotinamide N-methyltransferase knockdown protects against diet-induced obesity. Nature. 2014;508(7495):258–262.
Cantó C, Menzies KJ, Auwerx J. NAD+ metabolism and the control of energy homeostasis: a balancing act between mitochondria and the nucleus. Cell Metabolism. 2015;22(1):31–53.
References are provided for scientific context on the receptor pathways discussed. Citation of a study does not constitute a therapeutic claim about any Ethos Bio product, all of which are sold for Research Use Only.
