Humanin
Humanin was discovered before MOTS-c but belongs to the same rare class of mitochondrial-derived peptides — encoded within the mitochondrial genome itself, rather than through a conventional gene.
Not currently stocked by KYIN Peptides, but available to order — see availability below.
What Is Humanin?
Humanin is a mitochondrial-derived peptide (MDP), discovered earlier than MOTS-c and encoded by a different mitochondrial DNA open reading frame — a sibling branch of the same MDP family. Its research base centers on BAX-mediated apoptosis blockade (protecting cells from programmed cell death) and hypothalamic STAT3-linked insulin-sensitivity signaling, a distinct mechanism from MOTS-c's AMPK pathway.
Research Focus
Humanin sits alongside MOTS-c in illustrating how mitochondrial-derived peptides communicate with the rest of the cell — a signaling relationship sometimes described in the literature as retrograde mitochondrial signaling. See our Weight Loss & Metabolic research overview for how it fits alongside KYIN's stocked metabolic peptides, or how AOD-9604 compares as another non-stocked compound in this category.
Clinical & Preclinical Trial Data
Evidence is exclusively preclinical. The foundational insulin-sensitivity study (Muzumdar et al., PLOS One, 2009; 92 male Sprague-Dawley rats) found that continuous intracerebroventricular infusion of humanin significantly improved whole-body insulin sensitivity via hypothalamic STAT3 signaling — blocking STAT3 eliminated the effect. Separately, humanin is studied for neuroprotection through direct binding and inhibition of the pro-apoptotic protein BAX. No completed human clinical trial of exogenous humanin exists for any indication, and human pharmacokinetics have not been established.
Availability
Humanin is not part of KYIN Peptides' standard catalogue, but it is available to order — contact us directly and we'll source it for you.
Humanin questions
What is Humanin?
Humanin is a mitochondrial-derived peptide (MDP), discovered earlier than MOTS-c and encoded by a different mitochondrial DNA open reading frame — a sibling branch of the same MDP family. Its research base centers on BAX-mediated apoptosis blockade and hypothalamic STAT3-linked insulin-sensitivity signaling, a distinct mechanism from MOTS-c's AMPK pathway.
Has Humanin been tested in human trials?
No completed human clinical trial of exogenous humanin exists for any indication, and human pharmacokinetics have not been established. Evidence is exclusively preclinical.
How is Humanin related to MOTS-c?
Both are mitochondrial-derived peptides (MDPs) — a class of molecule encoded within the mitochondrial genome rather than nuclear DNA — but they come from different open reading frames and act through different mechanisms. Humanin was discovered earlier and works through BAX-binding and STAT3 signaling, while MOTS-c works through AMPK/PGC-1α signaling.
Does KYIN Peptides sell Humanin?
Not as part of our standard catalogue, but yes — it's available to order. Contact us directly and we'll source it for you.
Interested in sourcing Humanin?
Contact us and we'll help you source it, or browse our stocked metabolic-focused peptides.