Source comparison
MOTS-c In Vitro Research: Model Type Comparison
C2C12 Myotubes Enhanced glucose uptake, increased mitochondrial respiration 10–50 μM 2-NBDG glucose uptake, Seahorse XF analysis AMPK activation, GLUT4 translocation Best model for skeletal muscle insulin-independent glucose metabolism. Differentiates cleanly
This comparison does not assign a generated winner or score.
- C2C12 Myotubes
- Enhanced glucose uptake, increased mitochondrial respiration
- 10–50 μM
- 2-NBDG glucose uptake, Seahorse XF analysis
- AMPK activation, GLUT4 translocation
- Best model for skeletal muscle insulin-independent glucose metabolism. Differentiates cleanly and responds consistently across labs
- 3T3-L1 Adipocytes
- Reduced lipid accumulation, enhanced fatty acid oxidation
- 10–25 μM
- Oil Red O staining, triglyceride quantification
- PPARα upregulation, SREBP-1c suppression
- Ideal for adipogenesis studies. Captures both anti-lipogenic and pro-oxidative effects in differentiated cells
- Primary Hepatocytes
- Suppressed gluconeogenesis, increased glycogen synthesis
- 15–30 μM
- Glucose output assay, glycogen PAS staining
- PEPCK downregulation, GSK3β inhibition
- Most physiologically relevant for hepatic metabolism but requires fresh isolation. Cryopreserved hepatocytes show blunted responses
- HEK293 Cells
- Nuclear translocation under stress, ARE activation
- 20–100 μM
- Immunofluorescence, luciferase reporter assays
- Stress-responsive nuclear import, NRF2 pathway
- Useful for nuclear mechanism studies but lacks metabolic complexity. Not representative of primary metabolic tissues
- L6 Myoblasts
- Increased insulin sensitivity, enhanced mitochondrial biogenesis
- 10–40 μM
- Insulin-stimulated glucose uptake, PGC-1α expression
- Synergistic insulin pathway enhancement
- Rat-derived model. Translates well to rodent in vivo data but species differences complicate human extrapolation