A four-residue peptide that accumulates in mitochondria without a targeting signal, because its own charge takes it there.
About SS-31
SS-31, also known as elamipretide, is an aromatic-cationic tetrapeptide. Its distribution is a consequence of its chemistry: the alternating aromatic and basic residues give it a net positive charge that drives accumulation in mitochondria, which maintain a negative interior potential — no targeting sequence is required.
Once there, it binds cardiolipin, the phospholipid largely confined to the inner mitochondrial membrane and essential to the organisation of respiratory chain supercomplexes. Stabilising that interaction is the proposed mechanism.
What the research covers
Work covers cardiolipin binding and inner-membrane organisation, respiratory chain supercomplex assembly and electron transport efficiency, reactive oxygen species production, and ischaemia-reperfusion models where mitochondrial permeability transition is the endpoint. It has reached clinical investigation in mitochondrial myopathy, which is unusual in this group.
MOTS-C approaches mitochondrial function as a signalling question rather than a structural one, making the two complementary. The longevity research peptides hub sets out the four separate hypotheses this group covers.
SS-31 specification
- Strengths available: 10mg, 50mg
- Presentation: vial
- Purity: ≥99% by HPLC, identity confirmed by mass spectrometry
- Released against: the Certificate of Analysis for its own batch
Handling SS-31
Supplied lyophilised. Being strongly cationic, this peptide adsorbs to glass and to standard plasticware far more readily than a neutral sequence of the same length, and the loss from a dilute solution can be large enough to confound a concentration series.
Low-binding plasticware is strongly advisable rather than optional. Prepare working solutions fresh and avoid long dilution chains.
Solvent options are under reconstitution supplies.
Further reading: the SS-31 guide in the Amino Club research library covers the mechanism and the published work in more detail.
Certificates, delivery and terms
This batch ships with the Certificate of Analysis carrying the batch number printed on its label; how that is tested and released is set out on the lab testing page. Delivery, customs and returns are covered on the shipping page, common questions on the FAQ, and quantity pricing through bulk and wholesale. Supplied for in-vitro laboratory research only: not a medicine, not a supplement, not for human or veterinary use, and no dosing or administration guidance is provided — see the research use policy.
