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.
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 · MOTS-c research summary
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
- 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 · doi:10.1073/pnas.2002250117
- 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 · doi:10.1074/jbc.ra119.012094
- 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 · doi: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.