SS-31
SS-31 (elamipretide), a mitochondria-targeted tetrapeptide for cardiolipin research. Ships from the U.S..
What it is
SS-31 is a synthetic mitochondria-targeting tetrapeptide, D-Arg-Dmt-Lys-Phe-NH2, where Dmt is 2',6'-dimethyl-L-tyrosine. It is also known as elamipretide and MTP-131, and PubChem lists it as a Szeto-Schiller peptide. Two residues, D-Arg and Lys, carry positive charges, and two, Dmt and Phe, are hydrophobic. Molecular formula C32H49N9O5, molecular weight 639.8 g/mol, CAS 736992-21-5, PubChem CID 11764719.
Published work describes SS-31 localizing to the inner mitochondrial membrane and binding cardiolipin through electrostatic interactions. Early descriptions of its mechanism involved reactive-oxygen-species scavenging; a 2025 review focuses on its modulation of membrane electrostatic potentials and on the assembly of cardiolipin-dependent proteins. Models include mouse N2a neuroblastoma and H9c2 cardiomyocyte cell lines, a mouse kidney ischemia-reperfusion model and a rat myocardial infarction model. USA Warehouse Supply lists SS-31 as a 10mg lyophilized powder for laboratory research use only.
Storage
- A manufacturer product page lists SS-31 (elamipretide) powder for storage at -20°C (-4°F) for up to 3 years.
- The same page lists stock solutions at -80°C for up to 1 year or -20°C for up to 1 month.
- A manufacturer peptide handling guide advises dividing peptide solutions into aliquots and keeping them frozen below -15°C.
Cited research applications
Questions
What is SS-31?
SS-31 (elamipretide) is a synthetic tetrapeptide, H-D-Arg-Dmt-Lys-Phe-NH2, studied in cell and animal models for its binding to cardiolipin in the inner mitochondrial membrane. Dmt is 2',6'-dimethyl-L-tyrosine, a non-proteinogenic residue, and the C-terminus is a primary amide, so the sequence has no standard one-letter form. Molecular formula C32H49N9O5, molecular weight 639.8 g/mol (free base), CAS 736992-21-5, PubChem CID 11764719. Synonyms: elamipretide, MTP-131. Published work describes the peptide in isolated mitochondria, cultured cells and rodent models, with cardiolipin-containing membranes as the studied target. USA Warehouse Supply lists SS-31 as a lyophilized powder for laboratory research. Lyophilized SS-31 is stored frozen and protected from light, and reconstituted solution is kept refrigerated, as set out in the lyophilized-peptide storage note on the research library page.
What is the difference between SS-31 and MOTS-c?
SS-31 and MOTS-c are both peptides studied in mitochondrial research, but they are different molecules. SS-31 (elamipretide) is a synthetic tetrapeptide, D-Arg-Dmt-Lys-Phe-NH2, studied for binding cardiolipin in the inner mitochondrial membrane. MOTS-c is a 16-residue peptide encoded in the mitochondrial 12S rRNA, studied in AMPK-pathway models.
SS-31 (639.8 g/mol) carries two positively charged residues and binds cardiolipin through electrostatic interactions; a 2025 review focuses on its effects on membrane electrostatic potentials and cardiolipin-dependent protein assembly. MOTS-c (2174.6 g/mol) was reported in 2015 to act on the folate cycle and de novo purine biosynthesis, leading to AMPK activation, with skeletal muscle as its primary target organ in mice.
Compound identifiers & literature
Public database identifiers and a selection of peer-reviewed publications for SS-31 (Elamipretide), provided so researchers can verify this compound independently. Each entry links to the primary source.
Selected literature
- [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 Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America.Mitochondria were isolated from the hearts of four CB6F1 mice and treated with a biotinylated SS-31 analogue in vitro, with no animal receiving the compound, and chemical cross-linking with mass spectrometry identified twelve interacting cardiolipin-binding mitochondrial proteins whose cross-link sites localized near known cardiolipin-interaction regions, alongside oxygen consumption and hydrogen peroxide measurements in the isolated organelles.
- [2]Whitson JA, Martín-Pérez M, Zhang T, Gaffrey MJ, Merrihew GE, Huang E, White CC, Kavanagh TJ, Qian WJ, Campbell MD, MacCoss MJ, Marcinek DJ, Villén J, Rabinovitch PS (2021). Elamipretide (SS-31) treatment attenuates age-associated post-translational modifications of heart proteins GeroScience.Mass spectrometry profiling of heart tissue from young (5-6 month) and aged (24 month) mice compared post-translational modifications after 8 weeks of elamipretide treatment in the aged group, with the authors reporting that treatment reversed most of the age-associated increase in protein S-glutathionylation and partially shifted age-associated phosphorylation patterns in a site-dependent manner.
These references are provided for scientific context only. They describe published research on this compound and are not evidence of safety or efficacy, not an endorsement of any use, and not medical advice. This product is supplied for laboratory research use only — not for human or animal consumption.
For Research Use Only. Not for human or animal consumption. This product has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. SS-31 is sold strictly as a research chemical for in-vitro and pre-clinical laboratory investigation only.