---
title: "SS-31 research summary and literature | Sable Peptides"
description: "SS-31: what the published literature covers, how it compares with MOTS-c, key facts (CAS 736992-21-5, MW 639.8) and 3 verified PubMed citations."
canonical: https://www.sablepeptides.co.uk/research/ss-31
dateModified: 2026-10-14
publisher: Sable Peptides Limited (UK company 17488610)
note: Research use only. Not for human or veterinary use.
---

[Research summaries](/research)

# SS-31: research summary

For laboratory research use only. Not for human or veterinary use. This page summarises published literature. It gives no advice on use.

## What the literature covers

SS-31 (also called elamipretide or MTP-131) is a synthetic, cell-permeable tetrapeptide, D-Arg-Dmt-Lys-Phe-NH2. It is one of the Szeto-Schiller peptides, which concentrate at the inner mitochondrial membrane.

Biophysical work shows that SS-31 binds lipid bilayers and changes their surface electrostatics, with a preference for cardiolipin-rich membranes. Cross-linking proteomics has mapped the mitochondrial proteins it interacts with.

SS-31 has a molecular weight of about 639.8 g/mol (C32H49N9O5). It contains a D-amino acid and the unnatural residue 2′,6′-dimethyltyrosine (Dmt), so chiral and identity checks matter.

## Key facts

|  | SS-31 | MOTS-c |
| --- | --- | --- |
| CAS | 736992-21-5 | 1627580-64-6 |
| Formula | C32H49N9O5 | C101H152N28O22S2 |
| Molecular weight (g/mol) | 639.8 | 2174.6 |

Source: [PubChem CID 11764719](https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/11764719).

## SS-31 compared with MOTS-c

SS-31 and MOTS-c are both used in mitochondrial research. SS-31 is a synthetic tetrapeptide with non-natural residues that acts at the inner membrane. MOTS-c is a natural 16-residue peptide encoded by mitochondrial DNA that signals to the nucleus.

[Full side-by-side: SS-31 vs MOTS-c](/versus/mots-c/ss-31) · [MOTS-c research summary](/research/mots-c)

## Frequently asked questions

What is the sequence of SS-31?

D-Arg-Dmt-Lys-Phe-NH2, where Dmt is 2′,6′-dimethyltyrosine.

Where does SS-31 act?

Published studies place it at the inner mitochondrial membrane, where it associates with cardiolipin-containing bilayers.

Is SS-31 the same as elamipretide?

Yes. Elamipretide is the international non-proprietary name for SS-31.

## Published literature cited

1.  Chavez JD, Tang X, Campbell MD, Reyes G, Kramer PA, Stuppard R, Keller A, Zhang H, Rabinovitch PS, Marcinek DJ, Bruce JE. (2020). Mitochondrial protein interaction landscape of SS-31. *Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A*. [PMID 32554501](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32554501/) · [doi:10.1073/pnas.2002250117](https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2002250117)
2.  Mitchell W, Ng EA, Tamucci JD, Boyd KJ, Sathappa M, Coscia A, Pan M, Han X, Eddy NA, May ER, Szeto HH, Alder NN. (2020). The mitochondria-targeted peptide SS-31 binds lipid bilayers and modulates surface electrostatics as a key component of its mechanism of action. *J Biol Chem*. [PMID 32273339](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32273339/) · [doi:10.1074/jbc.ra119.012094](https://doi.org/10.1074/jbc.ra119.012094)
3.  Hao S, Ji J, Zhao H, Shang L, Wu J, Li H, Qiao T, Li K. (2015). Mitochondrion-Targeted Peptide SS-31 Inhibited Oxidized Low-Density Lipoproteins-Induced Foam Cell Formation through both ROS Scavenging and Inhibition of Cholesterol Influx in RAW264.7 Cells. *Molecules*. [PMID 26633327](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26633327/) · [doi:10.3390/molecules201219764](https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules201219764)

Every citation was looked up by PMID in Europe PMC (MEDLINE) on 2026-10-14 and its title matched. Citation means the paper exists and is relevant to the compound. It does not mean the paper supports any use.

## On this site

-   [SS-31 vials, sizes and prices](/ss-31-uk)
-   [SS-31 reference record](/ref/ss-31)
-   [SS-31 UK price check](/uk-price-check/ss-31)
-   [Certificates of Analysis](/coa)

SS-31 (also called elamipretide or MTP-131) is a synthetic, cell-permeable tetrapeptide, D-Arg-Dmt-Lys-Phe-NH2. It is one of the Szeto-Schiller peptides, which concentrate at the inner mitochondrial membrane. This page summarises 3 verified PubMed papers and compares SS-31 with MOTS-c. Research use only; no human-use guidance is given.

Updated 2026-10-14